ABSTRACT
A wound represents an injury to the skin where its physical integrity has been disrupted and there is exposure of the vascular elements and endothelium to the surrounding tissues. Visual disruption of skin is, however, not always present in wounds such as contusions and haematomas. Wounds are basically classified as open or closed. Open wounds include lacerations, incisions, ulcers and punctures. Closed wounds include contusions, abrasions and haematomas. Lacerations and puncture wounds are particularly common, especially following wire- or wood-fence injuries. Closed wounds such as abrasions, contusions or haematomas are less dramatic in their appearance and most heal without further intervention. Once a wound has occurred a series of events follows that constitute the healing process. The timing and cellular elements of this process characterise the different stages in each separate tissue. Ponies heal faster than horses, their acute inflammatory phase is of shorter duration and their leucocytes have a different capacity to aid with wound healing.
