Blackthorns

[Irishcobs]

Anyone have some tips on reducing the reaction to them?

We have a hunting livery, fab mare who jumps hedges for fun but she occasionally gets thorns in her knees and even if you get them all out they blow up like a balloon.
We have been using kaolin (sp) to poultice her knees and they are going down slowly.

We were told about some black tar type thing but not sure what it was and if you can still get it?

 

[RunToEarth]

I got one in Jerry the other day, he reacted quite badly to it, as it was in his shoulder, so it was harder to draw out. It can be quite nasty though, leading to blood poisoning, I would make sure they are all out, doesn't it turn quite quickly?

 

[Irishcobs]

Tell me about it. I got 3 out of her on Sat evening but by Sun morning her knees where huge.
3 different people felt her legs on Sat evening just to make sure they were all out.

 

[MrWoof]

Animalintex, a Bread or Porridge Poultice - you need to draw them out.
I had one in my thigh one day, having had brake failure going down a hill covered in BT bushes.
Had a very hot bath, Mummy tried to dig it out and I eventually ended up in hospital that evening having it cut out by the local doctor.
Three stitches - but well worth it.
When the Red Line appears -get to a doctor - very quickly.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

irish cobs the black tarry stuff is called Blackjack tho dont know where you would get it from nowadays. it has a drawing action bit like magnesium paste. i used to have a horse with me who would get thorns in his knees i clipped his knees off so at least you could see to find them (arguments both ways hair on or hair off!!!)

 

[Irishcobs]

Thanks guys.
I managed to get one in my hand the other day opening a gate. It went through leather gloves!

 

[cptrayes]

A nappy and magnesium sulphate paste around each knee? Disposable nappies have huge drawing properties and are just the right size and shape for poulticing knees and feet.

 

[JenHunt]

Equine America do a thing called black draw which is meant to be good for drawing thorns.... but I don't know anywhere that actually sells it now.

 

[Kirk]

we wear knee boots to stop them going in their knee's - seems to do the job.

 

[MrWoof]

A nappy and magnesium sulphate paste around each knee? Disposable nappies have huge drawing properties and are just the right size and shape for poulticing knees and feet.

Well, we learn something new every day.
How on earth did you discover that remedy??