Advice on road tar

[skydancer]

A road near our yard was recently covered and left to be flattened by the cars we rode over it ( not realising) and unfortunatley little black spots of tar have attached themselves to our horses legs. I have washed and scrubbed her legs but i cannot remove it - any suggestions??

 

[skydancer]

shameless *BUmP*

 

[HollyB66]

I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT USE THIS but I believe turps/white spirit is the type of think you need to remove tar/bitumen. I guess that you will need to leave it to grow out or cut it out.

 

[skydancer]

yeah i thought as much just wanted to see if there were any other suggestions - thanks

 

[Happy Hunter]

Apart from cutting it off - Scrubbing doesnt work.
Neither does Hammerite Paint thinner - (I was young, embarrassed (Mum had told me not to ride) - and had access to Dad's Shed,...) - No harm done... (no tar removed either,...)

I hope its a light sprinkle and not huge clumps!

My white grey looked flea bitten for a few weeks!!!

 

[Thewright stuff]

My Mum always used butter on us (tar from beaches) - worked a treat

 

[s4sugar]

Orange hand cleaner mixed with sugar.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

When we were kids & on the beach we picked up oil on us we used Eucalyptus oil on sone cotton wool & that disolved he oil.

Additionally you could try Swarfega or similar that mechanics use to wash oil off their hands.

 

[Fii]

A few years ago when we had a very hot summer the lane outside our yard melted and the tar stuck fast to the wheels of our wagon and the horses feet and feathers, we were told to use deisel to get it of, we didnt and just left it to dry and flaked it of.
The rule of thumb is oil based cleaners for oil based soiling, and water based cleaner for water based soiling (sp)

 

[albeg]

Would hibiscrub work? It worked for removing creosote from my boy's legs after he forgot to bring his back legs over a coffin.

 

[skydancer]

thanks guys - i tried hibiscrub didnt work - they are just spatters but it looks awful - will try some of your other ideas - chocs allround!

 

[Captainmouse]

lighter fluid or petrol will remove tar, but I have never used it on horses, would recommend washing off afterwards