Barbed wire injuries are most commonly found in horses, bats, and birds. Horses are often startled, and if they become entangled in barbed wire, big sections of skin may be ripped off. Such injuries may, at most, heal, but they may also result in disability or death (particularly due to infection). Barbed wire also causes injury to humans who come into contact with it; however, because people are generally not as prone to barbed-wire injuries as animals, little research has been done on this topic. If you are caught in barbed wire you should try to free yourself as soon as possible because even small pieces of wire can cause serious wounds. Use a knife to cut away any loose wires near the ground first because they might be able to be pulled out without hurting you too much. Then work your way up the horse's side until you can reach the main wire, which will likely be at head height. Cut through this wire as well, then pull down hard on each end of the wire section to remove it from the fence. In addition to being careful when working with barbed wire, you should also use caution not to get it stuck on you. If you do get bit by barbed wire, go to the hospital immediately for pain medication and put a cold pack on the area to reduce the risk of infection.