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Discussion on Cleaning smegma from back legs
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Member:
teddi
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 5, 2012 - 5:16 pm:
I have a yearling colt who has gotten an incredible amount of smegma build up on the inside of his back legs. It seems to have gotten worse just over the past several weeks - possibly due to his new favorite hobby of "pleasuring himself". He had a little over the summer on the upper part of the inside of his legs, but now there's quite a bit more going down the inside of both legs. I've tried using a towel and a brush to remove it, but it's far too sticky to remove without some kind of cleaner. As it's winter here, and the temps are rarely above freezing I don't want to wash his legs off with water and soap. Also, my wash rack area is under about 5 ft. of snow. Any suggestions on a dry method of cleaning his legs?
Thanks so much!!
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 5, 2012 - 7:46 pm:
Hello Teddy,
Though there are certainly waterless cleaners you could try I don't know of one that might be better than others. This sounds like a job for a good shampoo and hot water. Put the water in a insulated cooler and then towel dry when done. Pick your times when it is above freezing.
DrO
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Member:
chrism
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 5, 2012 - 11:26 pm:
I've been known to use baby diaper wipes when it is cold - the older mare would get quite grubby under her tail when blanketed. I figure if it was gentle enough for a baby's bum, it was okay for a horse.
Don't forget you can wear rubber gloves to protect your hands and use warm water. If there is no hot water at the barn, you can bring a thermos or insulated coffee urn of hot water and add to cold water until the temperature is just right. Or use a electric kettle to warm water.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 5, 2012 - 11:57 pm:
Plain old KY jelly works pretty good and you don't have to rinse it off, just wipe off as much as possible. Or, use KY then wipe the KY residue with the wipes so there isn't as much oil. I've heard that baby oil works too, but I haven't tried it.
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Member:
teddi
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Posted on Monday, Feb 6, 2012 - 10:00 am:
Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
Dr. O - I was thinking that I would wait for a sunny, warm(er) day, and "Cowgirl Up" and just wash his legs with soap and warm water. Although I've been putting that off as a last resort. 
Chris - Baby wipes were one of my first thoughts, but I wasn't sure if they were up to the job (the stuff on his legs is pretty sticky). I'll give it a try and see if it works. Also good to know that baby wipes work on your mare.
Sara - KY was actually my first thought because it works to clean sheaths. Was also thinking of using the KY with the baby wipes as you suggested. If the baby wipes alone don't work, I'll give the KY and baby wipes combo a try. Might get some baby oil and see if that works too.
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I'll give all of them a try and let you know which one works best. Fingers crossed that I won't have to resort to soap and water...
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Member:
paul303
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 - 12:33 am:
I would add to the suggestion of the KY jelly (gee, Sara, you use a lot of that, don'cha?)to loosen things up, then scrub gently with a non-scratch ( Scotch-Brite type of thing )pot scrubber on hair covered areas. Then use the wipes. I know that I bought a package of "horse wipes" from my feed store a couple of winters ago. They were wipes, but they were BIG and premoistened with cleanser. You might keep your eye out for something like that. I bought them because my one mare had loose stools and I had to clean her backside and down her legs constantly, and, like you, I found it tough in winter.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Saturday, Feb 11, 2012 - 1:22 am:
Lee, LOL!
You can buy really big boxes of adult wipes and sometimes adult waterless bathing wipes (like they use in hospitals) at Costco near the Depends and diapers. Much cheaper than anywhere else. I use them for wiping muddy dog feet; wiping the truck's leather seats off when I miss the muddy dog feet, and for hands as well as for the horses. They are very handy things. They'll also remove makeup after your class at a horse show! As will the KY jelly! 
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Member:
teddi
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Posted on Sunday, Feb 12, 2012 - 4:05 pm:
Well, I still haven't gotten around to trying to clean my colt's legs yet.
Lee and Sara - Thank you for the additional suggestions! I'll keep everyone posted on what works and what doesn't.
Now if I could just have a warm day, and a couple of hours to get the job done.
Thanks again everyone!!
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