Getting cream on horses back legs

C

Cassy

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 July 2007
Messages
483
Visit site
I am trying to soften the scabs on my new horses back legs but although she will now let me brush them she kicks out when I approach with the udder cream. Any advice please.
 
I have similar story. New pony requiring cream on sheath which is sore. He has trust issues anyway but what I have done is start to desensitise. I stand him in centre of yard, not tied as he would swing into me. Stand by shoulder holding lead rope. I place a warm cloth on the end of a schooling whip and slowly take from where is acceptable (on belly) and slowly move back to where he does not like. If he wants to move, he can (so long as it is away from me). I move with him. When he stands still, I take the cloth away. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. It’s been three months of me doing this every few days. I can now wash and apply cream directly with my hand. I always make sure he is not tied up. I always stand clos to his shoulder so I am no where near the kick zone. If he was to raise his legs or come towards me with his ass, I immediately use the schooling whip to get him moving in a circle for a minute or so. Then I resume the process. I have found by giving the choice of work or stand still, he slowly decides that standing still is preferable. I never reprimand him other than getting him moving. No shouting or physical reactions. He always ends up doing as I ask even if he throws a diva tantrum first. For you, perhaps putting cream on a sponge attached to a long handled spoon? You can buy lotion applicators for people who have mobility issues but they are expensive. A sponge on a spoon would work. All you need to do is get the cream applied safely initially. Good luck.
 
Try a different cream. I know udder cream is meant to be soothing but I had one who clearly found it anything but. I changed cream & let him sniff it so he knew it was different & the problem was solved.
 
My welshie is exactly the same! Best tactics I have are either getting someone to really distract him scratching his bum, withers or neck. Or, I go around all legs scratching innocently leaving the one needing the cream until last by which time his guards down & I can whack it on. Good luck!!
 
Making some progress. Firstly I warmed the cream before approaching the back legs. Then I put my hand high up on the leg and slowly moved it down (without cream initially) holding my hand on even when she was waving it about. When she put it down or stopped waving it about I rewarded her by taking my hand off. Then I tried again this time with cream on hand, gently rubbing with the back of my hand until within range of scabby bits. Then applied cream and made some attempt to massage it in ( not very successful ) but felt I made a bit of progress today. Previously I had approached her with cold cream on hand and aimed for the scabby area and she snatched her leg away and waved it about and I retreated. I think it is a learned behaviour on her part, someone had previously tried to treat her legs and obviously failed.
 
If you can get someone to stand with your horse, it'll help. My method, is to wash with warm water and shampoo all four legs, starting with the best legs first. Massage gently with your fingers, instead of a brush or sponge and leave the shampoo on for a few minutes before rinsing and pat drying with a towel. Liberally apply mud fever cream, starting with the less sensitive leg first. Wrap the legs in cling film for half an hour and then remove. Run your fingers over the affected areas and the scabs will slide away.
Having someone at the horses head to reassure and distract with a lick or carrot makes a difference and using your fingers to massage the areas that are not sensitive before processing to the painful parts, desensitizes an anxious horse. If the horse snatches it's leg back, stop, wait a moment and go back to the area on the leg that the horse can accept before working back to the scabs.
 
If you have another person to help, get them to hold up a front leg, preferably on the same side you are dealing with. Not a long term solution, but if you need to treat a hind leg now and haven't got to the place you want with the techniques above, it does help. My mare can balance on two legs if she concentrates, but even she can't lift two legs on the same side! :p
 
I really can't understand the obsession with getting scabs off! They form for a reason to protect the skin underneath just leave well alone and they will come of when they are ready.
 
If your horse is stabled, bandage a warm wet towel onto the leg, cover with cling film and bandage. Leave overnight and the scabs will come off with the towel in the moring and the legs will be a lot less sore. Then wash dry, and lastly cream.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I really can't understand the obsession with getting scabs off! They form for a reason to protect the skin underneath just leave well alone and they will come of when they are ready.
Click to expand...

Scabs tend to harbour bacteria and infection in the case of mud fever and some other skin conditions. This can delay hearing. Careful debriding is part of most wound management.
 
flying_high said:
Scabs tend to harbour bacteria and infection in the case of mud fever and some other skin conditions. This can delay hearing. Careful debriding is part of most wound management.
Click to expand...

But exposing weak sore skin is also a risk of infection and then lets the bacteria in further, years ago vets used to say leave it alone and just add a barrier cream, the few times I have had mud fever to deal with I just keep an eye on it and it clears up by it's self, I just can't see how pulling scabs off can help anything heal maybe I am old fashioned!
 
Udder cream is so fresh and minty it actually feels really cold and can be too much sensation. I speak from personal experience. A thicker cream can help like e45 or diprobase etc can provide the same moisture and that without the mintyness. I used dermoline on my horse. Udder cream is for hot swollen udders, hence the mint that gives a cooling effect.
 
Cassy said:
I am trying to soften the scabs on my new horses back legs but although she will now let me brush them she kicks out when I approach with the udder cream. Any advice please.
Click to expand...
you can try

light sedative
rope round the leg holding it up
twitch
someone holding leg up
putting it on some lint and make out your putting bandages on do bandages up them remove them some of the cream will go on the legs
 
Pinkvboots said:
But exposing weak sore skin is also a risk of infection and then lets the bacteria in further, years ago vets used to say leave it alone and just add a barrier cream, the few times I have had mud fever to deal with I just keep an eye on it and it clears up by it's self, I just can't see how pulling scabs off can help anything heal maybe I am old fashioned!
Click to expand...

Debriding wounds is old fashioned. And it does depend on the scab and the situation. You certainly don't want to pull every scab off in every situation. Broadly speaking IME scabs that are ready to come off are generally fairly easy to remove with little fuss.

Vets haven't said leave actual full blown mud fever alone and just slap a barrier cream on. As the standard vet advice for decades has been to use hibiscrub to clean up as much as possible as first stage. Now some vets are recognising that hibiscrub is rather harsh and drying. But I don't believe advice has ever been when there is inflammation, scabs and bacterial infection, just slap a barrier cream on top, as you trap the infection and stop the area breathing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top