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Treatment

Inguinal and umbilical hernias must be treated differently. In addition, inguinal hernias are more urgent than umbilical hernias, as umbilical hernias generally regress after the first few weeks, but inguinal hernias only get larger and more serious.

Surgery is required to treat an inguinal hernia; there is no other method of treatment that has been found to be as effective. Conversely, umbilical hernias are generally left to heal on their own, most going away within the first year. If the umbilical hernia is larger, elastrator rings -- a tool used to dilate an area -- may be used. However, because it may trap the horse's abdominal contents within the abdomen, it should only be attempted by a veterinarian.

Living and Management

After the hernia has been treated, be watchful of any secondary issues or infections.