What do you use on the newborn foals to help prevent problems or infections?
We make an iodine solution, and I use it on the foals right after birth. I use Strong Tincture of Iodine 7%. We put it on their hooves and navel cord to prevent infections.
Archive / FAQs
RSS feed for this sectionHow do I apply the witch hazel to reduce muscle strains?
Rub it in like a brace on the skin. Massage, massage and massage—the time spent rubbing is just as important as the product. My grandma set an egg timer for each leg and you had better stay on that leg until the bell rang!
How often can I use witch hazel on my horse’s skin? Will it dry the skin out?
I have used it daily on many horses. No, it is actually very soothing and has a little bit of an oily feel to it, but it does not leave a residue and absorbs into the skin. Witch Hazel has also been used in treating acne, psoriasis and eczema. In addition, Witch Hazel is sometimes […]
Can I use witch hazel as a solvent – adding it to other Hawthorne products?
Yes, it is used to dilute many leg braces, liniments and leg paints. It is much milder than alcohol.
What is the best use for Witch Hazel for my horse?
Witch Hazel is often used to dilute other products and can be used as a mild leg brace. If I have a horse that has sensitive skin I mix 1/3 alcohol, 1/3 witch hazel and 1/3 Choate’s. I also make a leg brace with combining the same but instead of Choate’s I use Vita Oil.
Are some horses better with the cold conditions than others? Do horses adjust to the cold weather over time?
Yes, some horses take cold weather better than others and they do acclimate. I think some breeds take the cold better than others. Babies, older, or sickly horses are obviously at greater risk in cold weather. Two of my horses have been in Indiana over 2 years, but both were born and raised in Florida. […]
Do horses need to be covered with blankets during winter months?
I am not a blanket person, but I know once you start to use them, you had better keep using them or the chances of your horse getting sick is greatly increased. I understand certain diciplines want their coat to look good all year. I also know that racing people blanket or clip because they […]
What do you think of run-in-sheds?
I know they need to be built right and facing the right direction for wind and the elements. Run in sheds need to be spacious with many exits. You want to make sure horses can’t get cornered in them and that there isn’t metal exposed they can cut theirself on… If you do not have […]
How do I know if my horse is getting sick during the winter months?
Sick horses usually don’t eat, look at the manure for changes and listen to their neck and chest and make sure you do not hear gurgling or rasping sounds and check temps and look for mucus out the nostrils. I have had people tell me their horse got pneumonia, and they didn’t even know it-how?
Do you air out the stalls during the winter months?
In the day if it is not snowing or freezing rain, I open both doors and let it ventilate. At night I leave the doors cracked, and fortunately I can do this without a draft on the horses in their stalls. Spring and Fall cleaning is important too. We try to go into the winter […]