Cracks behind cobs Knees

[Mickeymoo]

Our cob has cracks behind the knees. I have been putting Flamazine cream on but only had enough for 2 days and they are still there - hard now.

What are these and how do I treat it?

I am new to the world of cobs, so any advice would be welcomed.

 

[icemaiden113]

It sounds likea grease build up causing it, most cobs get it. Does he have his feathers on? If so try and remove the hair from around it (if you can) and wash with hibiscrub to remove any bacteria then apply honey! I know it sounds silly but it will heal in no time!

 

[Theresa_F]

It is probably grease - does he have feather? If he does he may have mites which can soon be cleared up with some frontline and then kept at bay with pig oil and sulphur.

Our old clydie gets it from time to time despite use of pig oil and sulphur - some are just prone no matter what you do.

This is something I make up and it clears it up quickly.

1 tablespoon of sudocream
1 teaspoon of sulphur
5 drops of teatree oil

Mix up and rub well in every day for a week to 10 days carefully pick of the crust as it softens.

To keep clear, apply it once or twice a week or alternatively use pig oil and sulphur.

This also works very well on mud fever.

 

[emmajanerushton]

My ex shire x had this, we used to soften with vaseline then comb with a nit comb all the loose scabs out and hibiscrub it, then use sudocream type stuff, made it lots better, also keeping your horse clean is good, when sweaty it runs down legs and back legs and leaves a black residue ( if had stockings that you could see it on) so regular cleaning and drying will help, also watch out as sometimes can be slightly fungal infection in which case you need some anti fungal cream from vet

 

[lilym]

canestan from the chemist worked on a gypsy cob with this problem, suggested by the vet!!

 

[Mickeymoo]

Thanks for your replies, I will print this off and try it all.

Thanks again

 

[fay4]

The joys of owning a cob!!!! Yeh mine gets that too! Does yours have feathers? Different things work for different cobs - I tend not to cut/clip the backs of his knees as I've found that it just makes them worse as the wet and wind seems to not help!! All I do is wash his legs with washing up liquid to soften the grease (and hopefully brake it down) make sure they are dry then frontline. If they look really sore I use antiseptic liquid spray rather than the cream. My cob is very mardy and does the highland fling if I go anyway near his knees if they are bad! twitching helps! So I've founs the spray easier to use than the creams - all just trial and error finding whats suits your hairy friend best! Unfortunately its the only downside to owning a cob! - but worth all the hassle!