Reactions to pig oil and sulphur

ellie11987

ellie11987

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 June 2012
Messages
654
Visit site
has anyones horses had any bad reactions to pig oil and sulphur?

I did a patch test on my horse and she was fine, so I've been using it for a couple of days. Went to brush her legs and the fur started falling out around her fetlock. Then, I rubbed it to see what it was and i just started falling out in clumps and the skin underneath is red raw, it looks like it is burnt! massive patches on either side of her hind legs are like this! poor baby, it looks so sore. :(

Do you think this reaction would be from the pig oil or the sulphur? And now that I can't use this, what do you use on yours to prevent mud rash?
 
Yes my cob. Luckily I didn't use the sulphur, I used sulphur shampoo on one leg, he reacted badly and seven months on, the fur on that leg has not grown back properly, he needed numerous vet visits. The skin also has not fully recovered yet, sulphur can react very badly with some horses.
 
Both my ponies were allergic to the sulphur, and their skin became hot and even more itchy. Luckily I only did a small patch!

During the winter they are smothered in sudocrem right in their heels and a thick pouring of vegetable oil from the knees and hocks down:D
 
For got to say, I now use sudocraem and Liquid paraffin, which I use fifty fifty and mix together with a whisk, in a jug which is standing in warm water, to mix and then is very easy to apply. You may need something like flamazine or betnovate from your vets to calm his sore legs down. Mine ended up needing antibiotics for ten days.
 
I used it on my boy's legs - didn't think there'd be a problem as everyone here on HHO recommends it so highly.

Big mistake. He's got white hair and pink skin, and the poor lad was very sore and red.

I can use Pig Oil with Tea Tree oil in it if I just get a sponge and whisk it over the coat, that's OK. So would say its definately the sulphur which is the problem as its obviously very caustic and/or irritant.

I get very concerned when I see people on here recommending Pig Oil & Sulphur so readily. I'd never ever use it again and would counsel anyone else to do a patch test first - but even with that its obviously possible to build up a problem with extended use.
 
I tried it but stopped using it when my horse burnt his pink muzzle and the end of his boy bits. Thought that was a bit harsh.

I now use a shampoo called Selene. Its sulphur based but, because you wash it off after ten minutes, it doesnt get the chance to iritate him. And it stops his legs itching for a good couple of months.
 
conkers said:
I tried it but stopped using it when my horse burnt his pink muzzle and the end of his boy bits. Thought that was a bit harsh.

I now use a shampoo called Selene. Its sulphur based but, because you wash it off after ten minutes, it doesnt get the chance to iritate him. And it stops his legs itching for a good couple of months.
Click to expand...

Why on earth would you put it on his muzzle?! Mine has been fine with PO&S on his legs.
 
One of mine reacted to the sulphur mixed in pig oil and it burnt his feathers off. He's fine with pig oil alone.

I always cringe when I hear of people recommending PO & S on forums having seen some awful photo's of horse's reacting to the mix.
 
horserider said:
One of mine reacted to the sulphur mixed in pig oil and it burnt his feathers off. He's fine with pig oil alone.

I always cringe when I hear of people recommending PO & S on forums having seen some awful photo's of horse's reacting to the mix.
Click to expand...

She's a tb, so no feathers to burn off, it burnt off the hair and skin :( i agree, i would never reccomend it
 
Works great for me. Winter saviour. Never put it on muzzle or boy bits. Baby oil / mineral oil / pig oil are v similar. Pig oil sold in bigger quantities thus cheaper. Adding sulphur optional. Would always suggest patch testing any new product.
 
I've never dared use it, my late friend was a vet, and she said she had seen so many horses react badly to it..

Putting any form of oil on the muzzle is likely to cause sunburn though.
 
Last edited:
We use this and find it a godsend. But whenever I recommend it to anyone I always say to patch test it first as some horses do have a reaction to it. I'm eternally grateful to TheresaF on here for her copious notes about the use of this, it has made winter a lot easier for us personally.
 
A friend recently used it in her cobs tail - just pig oil. He has subsequently lost all the hair around his dock and on his bum...
 
use it on all of mine no problems as of yet quite shockin to hear some of the damage will bear that in mind.

For those usin it to keep mud off Baby Oil works just aswell nd maybe gentler on skin :)
 
Rileyboy said:
use it on all of mine no problems as of yet quite shockin to hear some of the damage will bear that in mind.

For those usin it to keep mud off Baby Oil works just aswell nd maybe gentler on skin :)
Click to expand...

Vet said my tb is very sensitive, and the reaction may start digging into the flesh or leaking in the next few days if I'm unlucky :eek: it's horrible! i was shocked when she told me how common it is as well. Was thinking of baby oil but vet said absolutely no lotions and potions at all ever :(
 
Baby oil and even Olive oil are good solutions. Both gentle, but watch them in cold but sunny weather.. My mudrash horse that had lost the hair on his legs got sunburn with baby oil on!:o
 
Due to all the horror stories I've heard, I was wary of trying pig oil, especially with any sulphur in...

I've slowly built up pig oil, and it's a godsend :) the mud has dried and dropped off by morning, he hasn't been itching his legs at all since using it, and I've been told by several people, that it can help prevent mites etc as they get suffocated/can't get a grip due to the oil...

Used in mane and tail and a quick swipe over the any bits that stick out of the rug, and has helped his feathers grow back after they snapped in the late summer mud...

My theory is that if they're ok with baby oil, and they have reasonable skin, it's great as a preventative. I wouldn't use it for mudfever though - or on any already broken or damaged skin.
 
Oil made my lad worse, but he was absolutely fine with keratex. I am currently brushing off the mud when dry then powdering him up with keratex. It's working brilliantly, no more mud fever. I don't wash his legs. I posted about mud fever a while back and got lots of suggestions so I think it's a matter of finding out what works for each horse. I tried baby oil but he reacted badly, I think it stung, so it's dry dry dry as much as possible for us.
 
Hmm. My boy's never had a reaction, but I guess they're all different. I make a point of applying anything like this with bare hands (with PO&S, pouring it into my hand then rubbing through the feather), as it's the best way to tell how harsh it is. I've never had a problem with reactions either.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top