What's the best cure for saddle sores?

[RRoss]

Faster Horses;
You probably have never used slack lime on a horse that had an open wound either, that was hard to heal.

[Faster horses]

I don't think I have.

We have successfully used Bentonite on a gravel to pull it back out the sole...we have used vinegar and pepper on wire cuts...I use bacon grease for a couple of things, but slack lime? Nope, don't believe so...

I was hoping to get a reply from you to the PM I sent you a few days ago.

X (that's for having my fingers crossed).


So tell me more about the slack lime, if you would please.

[PPRM]

My old nieghbor told me about slack lime as have some other old cowboys, but I never have seen it.

A saddlemaker in Wenatchee told me recently, WASH THE BLANKETS. I think that is sometimes overlooked as a cause,


PPRM

[Jinglebob]

I don't know about slack lime but pickling lime will sure get rid of the excess growth around a wound near the foot. I've had several who cut their foot on or near the corenet band. After a couple of days of healing(I use motor oil and have had great luck with that) you pour Hydrogen peroxide on the scabbed wound and then dust it with pickling lime. Doesn't seem to hurt or bother the horse, so it must not be painful. Heals up without a bump or scar.

I agreee about washing the blankets. I use a power washer on my navajo's but I am wondering what to use on my felt pads?

I haven't used thefelt pads that long and haven't tried washing any yet. Any good ideas?

[Faster horses]

I really think it is wise to use a navajo under a felt pad. Sure keeps them clean longer.

I have been told about taking them to a car wash and just using the rinse cycle (no soap) to loosen the hair and then comb it off with a curry comb or scotch comb.

[kolanuraven]

old fashioned Bag Balm is great for whatever ails your horse, you, etc!!!

I just take the hose pipe and set the nozzle on the 'jet' spray and clean my felt pads then use one of those lint roller things to catch up the hair.

It's messy and make sure you have the wind @ your back cause the hair will fly EVERYWHERE!!!

[Jinglebob]

[PPRM]

The Saddle Maker that told me about washing blankets is Eric Sebring in Wenatchee. As with most saddle makers, he's done a lot of things. He still rides a lot with his wife and from what he described, they are kinda fantical about keping the blankets washed. Put me to shame when I thought about it, LOL,


PPRM

[Faster horses]

There are differences in felt pads and since I don't want to be responsible for ruining yours:

how about just trying the garden hose?

On this subject, I think the very best way to wash navajos and other blandkets (not pads) is in an old wringer washer. Has anyone tried that? We used to do wash them that way, but no longer have the old wringer washer.

I think our blankets are dirty because they are sliding around pretty bad now. Last fall we heard how good the Professional Choice Air Ride pads are so we bought one to try. They do stay in place really well and are easy to clean. That is all you need, just that pad.

I read in Western Horseman where too many pads are as bad or worse than not enough. I think the article was in reference to team roping horses, as too many pads cause the saddle to roll and sore the horse.

[Ranchero]

I heard that Preparation-H works wonders on saddle sores. I've been told it will help grow the hair faster than anything?

[Faster horses]

Now there is an idea for you: "Equine Preperation H SORE NO MOR". If it has anything to do with a horse in the name you can get 5 prices for the product.

Go for it!!!

[Ranchero]

Those white marks on the back or withers you all are talking about, are caused by a former saddle sores. That is what I am talking about. Those white marks are where the hair tends to come off and a new sore will develope. When I said saddle sores, I was talking about the hair coming off and a scab forming in its place. I was not talking about sore muscles, stiff, or stoked up. It is not possible to pre-condition all of the horses before the roundups ( there are too many). We ride everyday, 365 days a year, rain or shine. A short day in the saddle is no less than 8 hours. Maybe the guy that recomended Preparation-H meant to use it on the cowboys not the horses, now I'm not sure. The other day I checked out the new Professional Choice Air-ride foam pads. They apear to have a lot of cushion but they don't look like they would breath and cool very well. They might work ok for 3-4 hours for a rodeo horse, but I don't think they would work well for 8-12 hours dailey ranch work. But I don't have any experience with these. The local saddle maker said he sells a lot of egg crate foam pads to the ranches to use on horses with chronic saddle sores.