In the equine head, the bone of the skull lies right under the skin. Large, air-filled sinus compartments fill the front part of the skull, while the brain rests within the rear of the skull, between the ears. The skin of the face has a rich blood supply, meaning that simple wounds tend to heal rapidly and well. Simple wounds to the face that do not involve bone and do not create a flap of loose tissues may not require much treatment, if any.

When major trauma accompanies a head wound, there is a concern of brain injury, damaged bone or even damaged teeth. When wounds damage bone, there is a possibility of chronic bone or sinus infection.

Head and face injuries are common in horses and the wounds that result can be very dramatic but usually heal well. Signs that there was significant concussion associated with the injury could include bleeding from the nose, eyes or mouth. Injuries that involve the brain often cause change in behavior or other signs related to the nervous system, including changes in gait, depressed attitude, seizures, or changes in eye position, among many others. Brain trauma is relatively rare.