While a number of animal models have been developed for human haemophilia, it has been difficult to develop reproducible measures of bleeding in these models. They have also not been extensively utilized to study the complications of haemophilia beyond blood loss. Poor haemostatic function also leads to local haematomas, joint damage and poor wound healing. Some of the abnormalities related to bleeding are because of the deleterious effects of iron deposition in the tissues. Evidence from mouse skin wound and joint haemorrhage models suggests that bleeding and iron deposition initiate a vicious cycle of inflammation, angiogenesis and renewed bleeding. However, there is much yet to be learned about the effects of bleeding on tissue responses, including validating the results of animal studies in clinical trials.