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Discussion on Don't forget to clean your mares too!
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Member:
Cowgrl
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Posted on Monday, Mar 22, 2004 - 5:59 pm:
Most people are pretty conscientous about cleaning their gelding's sheath but don't forget to clean your mare's udder too. If you feel between her teats you will see she gets a buildup of material as well that needs to be removed. She can get irritated from the rubbing and will be greatly relieved when it's removed. My mares love it and cock their hip so I can reach it easier. Fortunately there's no bean to deal with.
Holly
Holly
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Member:
Gingin
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Posted on Monday, Mar 22, 2004 - 9:17 pm:
Hi Holly,
you are sooo right! There are tons of articles about sheath cleaning but few about how best to take care of your mare. I use "udder cream" (sold for softening and preventing chapped teats in cows) to loosen the buildup, wipe with a moist rag and then soften her teats with a bit more udder cream....she loves it and is definitely releived when she's nice and clean again 
Christine
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Member:
Ladera
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004 - 1:42 am:
I clean my mare's udder at every bathing. I stroke in between her teats with a sponge. She closes her eyes while I stroke her. I'm amazed at the amount of crude that builds up. Be careful not to peel it . The udder cream works wonders.
Holly , thanks for mentioning this topic. I was fortunate to have another mare horseowner inform me of this problem.
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Member:
Goolsby
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004 - 8:58 am:
Yes thanks for mentioning this topic. I have never read anything concerning this topic, but noticed the crud first time I bathed my first mare. It is amazing how much accumulates. I will try udder cream. I have always used a cloth and warm soapy water.
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Member:
Jeans
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Posted on Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004 - 7:21 pm:
Last May, while wiping my mares udder, I found about a dozen parasites (what looked like ticks)attached to her there. Fortunately they were tiny, about the size of a sesame seed. I dewormed her with ivermectin immediately which killed them all, but had I not inspected her there who knows how much damage they could have done? Thanks for bringing this subject up.
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Member:
Paul303
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 - 5:21 pm:
Hey, Chris, I use the Udder Cream on my mares also......have you noticed the extra benefit? It will soften your hands too!
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Member:
Gardener
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 25, 2004 - 11:13 pm:
I had no idea that I should be cleaning my mare as well as my gelding. Thanks for the information. I will look for some udder cream, and clean her!!! I love this site! I am learning so much!
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Member:
Gingin
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Posted on Friday, Mar 26, 2004 - 6:43 pm:
Hi Elizabeth,
yes indeed, it softens your hands, it smells great and I also found out that during dry cold winter days my mare expecially loves getting a nice udder "treatment" to soften her skin, too...seem to be similar to getting rid of chapped lips, I guess  !!!
Christine
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:04 am:
Any ideas anyone of other products to use for cleaning udders, i.e. would baby oil or soapy water not be just as good as commercial udder cream? Shampoo? Fairy liquid?
Thanks for any tips!
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Member:
ngossage
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 10:11 am:
When I had a mare, I used aloe vera gel that I got at CVS (warmed up in my hand first, if it was a cold day) to rub between her teats and rubbed it in to get the gunk out. It worked well and had a nice smell to it.
Nicole
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 1:03 pm:
Thanks for asking this question - I've wondered the same thing. Weather permitting, I always give my mare a good hosing off after a ride and make sure I hose down between her butt cheeks and around her udder, but don't know if this is enough for "good maintanance".
Will be very interested in what everyone has to say.
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Member:
leslie1
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 2:21 pm:
I use sheath cleaner. leave it on for about an hour then take a non scented baby wipe to her. after I get her clean I use a warm water sponge to remove any left over sheath cleaner.
I agree with fran about the hosing after ride. it sure helps prevent.
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Member:
twhgait
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Posted on Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 11:45 pm:
LOL, my mares LOVE having their udders cleaned! I can't tell you how many times I've almost been stepped on and/or been leaned in to!
I like to use a wound ointment in the summer months as the biting flies get down there and wreak havoc. the cream also helps keep the flies off (just remember to clean it off and reapply every 3 days or so)
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 12:51 pm:
A mild soap and a good rinse with water would be just fine and much more economical than the commercial cleaners designed for the job. I find a good rinsing with just water following riding prevents much of this accumulation. This applies to sheaths too, we stick the hose up the sheath.
DrO
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 3:47 am:
Many thanks for the helpful responses. Lots of useful ideas.
Since my mare's rather resistant to the hands-on approach, I'll just do the hosing for now, and have another shot at sponging with soapy water when she's adrift in a euphoric world of her own where anything goes - in other words, IN SEASON!
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Member:
jojo15
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 12:12 pm:
Once the horse gets used to the water hitting that spot, i've noticed that you can sneak your hand down there at the same time as the hose is hitting it.
For years, that was the ONLY way i could clean my mare. You still have to be wary of the cow kick but if the water is strong enough and is doing its job she'll never know you are down there..
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Member:
jd1947
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Posted on Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 - 4:44 pm:
I clean my mares too...and they also love it!!
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Member:
frances
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Posted on Monday, Jul 30, 2007 - 3:37 am:
Jojo, that's a brilliant idea. Thanks!
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