This message is from: "Joanna Crell " <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I almost fell out of my chair when someone mentioned their friends promoting
used motor oil on "scratches". Used motor oil is a petroleum, read gasoline
cousin, and is poisonous. I well remember when folks would use oil and or
axle grease on hooves as a treatment, not so smart. Not only did it dry the
hooves out to the cracking stage but was also causing who knows what kind of
problems elsewhere. When we painted that gunk on stall boards to preserve
them, fence post, ground ends maybe but the rails our horses chewed? yuck.
Back then, stuff happened and we knew lots lesssss!. Used motor oil is a
Hazardous Material, and even the disposal of if it is a big deal, for all
of of us who have had to burn brush and have the dubious distinction of
having had a tire at the center, the world needs our awareness that we
can't do toxic things. Everyone knows that 'sploded tires make excellent
planters any way.
Now for the good ideas on scratches, mud fever,scurf, or grease heel (I
wonder now about that name!) Desitan is great.This is true. Especially looks
good on grey or white horses, almost restoring their looks immediately !Not
so gorgeous on darker horses but worth the healing power. We found it to be
amazing on the hip of a vaulting horse that had gotten really banged up in
the trailer. It is the most soothing substance, and a fantastic overnight
helper on acne ! Maybe the zinc, maybe the cod-liver oil but definitely
helps. there is a lot of softening and serum ooze though, still be careful
with anything that is taking days to treat. nothing is as bad as the "blood
poisoning " or Lyphangitis that can happen when simple leg stuff goes wrong.
Melalucca the element in tea tree oil is a very preferred washing treatment
for many folks. Scrubbing the scabs and sebacious tissue away gently is
recommended. I personally have gone after body scurf, leg crud and mane and
tail problems with Betadine and Dr Bronners Hemp Tea tree castile
shampoo.and a comb, following up with a good animal shampoo with some
pyretherin to prevent the bugs. My friends who are more cavalier than I use
Listerine on tails with sweet itch to great results but after a mouthful of
that I can't imagine how hard the kick would be from a horse with a stinging
butt. Clydesdales are the most susceptible horses I know to horrible leg
skin problems, under those feathers, we gave our good friend our Grooma rake
to help keep things maged on her big boy, she had had huge vet work done on
the cysts and lumps that had developed on him while he was neglected prior
to her ownership. It took over a year to get his legs healthy, wow.
MY favorite dark coloured healing goop in the world is Icthamol. it is
inexpensive and while it too is messy , it draws and heals what ails . I am
not above slathering it on a hoof with thrush or an abcess and making a
poultice. ( after an epsom salt soak) stay on a problem and you can
usually fix it, let it go and.... The sugar pack of a wound has worked for
us but thank god we haven't had to do that often. My horses seem to thrive
and we make sure to touch each one daily. My neighbors and friends aren't
always so lucky so we are always available to help. Its good to have a forum
online to share our questions and experiences, I have learned a lot here on
this list even when I am tired of the internet I check in on this! It
always picks up my spirits hearing good news and friendly communication.
Thanks,
Joanna, after a sad week in Maine where two lovely human spirits have
passed, both horse lovers
