So my 2 week old filly has a little bit of crusty butt going, and obviously is not a huge fan of me trying to scrub it off. Any tips to help it loosen up to make her happier about the process? was thinking maybe baby oil or something?
Mineral oil in a spray bottle. Apply liberally and it greatly reduces the need for scrubbing.
Mine have always loved their bums washed. Just make sure you soak it well first but I have yet to have a foal I had to restrain to do this, they all stand super. The biggest think I have found is DO NOT let the water dribble down their legs, that they do seem to object to. So I just wring my cloth out well enough there are no dribbles and never have an issue.
Our foals all stand happily in the wash rack with mom to get full baths, including butt scrubbing. Be gentle, and let the crusty parts soften, and they generally appreciate it. I also use a little coconut oil on the cheeks to sooth and prevent further icky poo from sticking.
After washing, we always put vaseline on their bums to help protect the skin and make the next cleanup (if there is on) easier.
We like using Desitin or similar. If it gets raw/hairless, don’t forget to consider sunblock so the baby butt doesn’t get sun burned.
My foal this year hated having her butt cleaned at first and we had two rounds of dirty butt to contend with…one at a week old and the second round at 4 weeks old. I am alone as well so don’t have extra hands to help restrain. What I did was get her into a corner of the stall and restrain her chest with one arm. With the other arm I took a wet rag with soap on it and gently started wiping her bum. After 2 or 3 rounds of this sheathed realized it felt good and loved having her butt washed. Once I didn’t have to restrain her so tightly I would take my non-washing hand and scratch her back as I washed her bum with the other hand. I use desitin on dirty butts and wash often to not allow it to build up too bad between washings. I am lucky and don’t live too far from home so would wash first thing in am, then get ready for work and wash again just before I left for work, come home for lunch, when I first got home from work, and then about twice again before going to bed. The worst was in the morning as her diarrhea was so bad her entire butt, flanks and rear legs would be covered (she was also stall bound 24/7 due to surgery). Due to that though she is now really good about her entire back end, including legs, being handled.
There’s a spray called shiney hiney that is amazing
Thanks everyone! Will have help tonight to (gently) restrain her so I can actually soak it a while to soften and hopefully get the worst off, then will try adding something oily to help keep it from getting crusty!
Use warm water, that will help. A gentle soap like Ivory or even baby shampoo is best. Apply, leave on for a few minutes, then rinse off with a sponge.
We just use a warm water and a wash cloth. A bit of Ivory soap if you need to soak and leave it sit for a few minutes. Like others have stated, once the foals realize what you are doing, they start to like it. We dry off with a dry cloth and then smear Zincofax on their butts (used for human babies to help with diaper rash). It has been the best remedy we’ve found so far to prevent scours from happening again the next day as it REALLY sticks to their butts. 
[QUOTE=drkarins;8222256]
We like using Desitin or similar. If it gets raw/hairless, don’t forget to consider sunblock so the baby butt doesn’t get sun burned.[/QUOTE]
:yes:
Plain warm water on a cloth, pat dry and slather Desitin. The Zinc Oxide of Desitin is an effective sunblock.
Training opportunity … take foal in to wash rack and get her/him used to hose.
Success! Took her and mom into wash rack, and she was actually super patient so I was pleased. She was much calmer about it than I had even hoped her to be. Just ran warm water over for a bit to get her used to it and for crusties to loosen up, then added a bit of gentle shampoo and rubbed gently for a while and she stood well with just someone standing at her chest. It helps that mom is so calm while we’re working with her, just stands and watches. That got most of it off, then I’ve been putting Aloe Heal on it which has seemed to help it from getting more crusty and also help the skin from getting irritated!
Very proud of her for standing so still and quiet, and she seems much less itchy which is great! Thanks for the suggestions.
