Favorite "Home" Remedies / "Human" Products for Horses?

[Phaxxton]

My latest blog entry was a list of my favorite cost-saving “home” remedies for horse care. As I was writing it, I realized that some of these remedies (like the tail spray) work better than any horse-specific products that I have tried.

I limited the blog to the things I have personally used, and they are pretty basic, simple products. Now I’m wondering what other great ideas may be out there that I haven’t tried. So, what are your favorite “home” remedies for horses and how well do they work?

I have heard about using Preparation H on wounds, but have never tried it. Any thoughts on that or any other suggestions?

Home Remedies to Help Stretch Your Horse Dollar

[Robin_Anderson]

My friend uses this preparation - Preparation H. But I’ve heard many negative reviews about this substance. That’s why I don’t use it. If you need remedies for horse care, you can read reviews about top products for horses. Maybe you will choose something.

[scrbear11]

I love that your blog started off with Listerine.

I’m a fan. Listerine. Listerine for everything.

A rinse after hosing off to keep the coat lustrous and shiny. Goes on rain rot, scratches, mud fever, all the crusty crud to get rid of the bacteria. A spray on preventative after the horses have been standing out in rain to keep any bacteria at bay. On bacterial hives to make them go away. Disinfect feed tubs and buckets.

Listerine works better and is MUCH less expensive than any crud sprays on the market.

I’m pretty sure the cashier at the grocery store thinks I have issues when I buy 5 bottles of unflavored listerine.

[Texarkana]

I was going to recommend some already mentioned in your blog:

-Triple Antibiotic Ointment: my “go to” topical for most wounds
-Desitin: a close 2nd in the topical department

Some others not mentioned:

-Hibiclens and the generics: chlorohexidine scrub for cleaning wounds, skin funk, etc.
-Moleskin: you can buy adhesive backed rolls of it in the foot care aisle. It’s great for wrapping anything that rubs.
-White Flannel: from the fabric store. Same idea as the moleskin. I also use it to make standing wraps and to wrap halters.
-Peroxide, iodone, Epsom salts: all things I use for various hoof issues that I tend to pick up at the drug store.
-Play Dough: can make a decent hoof packing in a pinch.

ETA: I just realized this was a 6 year old thread bumped up. Oops!

[dungrulla]

I live like 10 mins from the border and take regular-ish trips up to Canada for voltaren. Mostly for myself, but I also use it on the horses if needed.

[Simkie]

Ancient thread bumped by spam!

…that said, though…Nexium is the human product I get the most excited about in the barn.

[mvp]

Meh, to the bump by spam, but I appreciated the original blog post!

Favorite now: Medical grade Manuka Honey (at least 12 UMF)-- not cheap, but best-ever for healing. The honey itself is sterile, so you can use it that way foreer.

Not favorite: Preparation H— was just about to go buy some when I read the ingredients. So far as I can tell, it’s a bunch of petroleum products and a vasoconstrictor. Why does everyone like this? You might as well use either Vaseline or Corona (lanolin and some stuff).

[EventerAJ]

Nexium! Don’t know how I lived without it.

Sanitary napkin pads make great covering for wounds under a bandage (or stuck to a sleezy, or sheet for hard to wrap body areas).

Car wash sponges from the dollar store for bathing. 2qt pitchers, or laundry detergent bottles with tops cut off, both used to pour ice water over a hot horse to cool out after xc.

Homemade ice packs: ziplock bags half filled with 1 part alcohol, 3 parts water, squeeze air out and freeze.

[Texarkana]

@Simkie

Ancient thread bumped by spam!

…that said, though…Nexium is the human product I get the most excited about in the barn.

How could I forget about that one?!? It’s been a life changer!!! I feel like you should probably get a cut of the money we are all saving. :lol:

Along those same lines, I’ve been really grateful for Benadryl since moving my horses back east where they seem to be allergic to everything… I feel like it’s a safer option than reaching for the dex every time…

[INoMrEd]

I’m using Kirkland Signature Aller-Tec for my 29 year old who has allergies. Louie gets 15 pills twice a day and so far (one month into it) it’s working!

[Simkie]

@Texarkana

How could I forget about that one?!? It’s been a life changer!!! I feel like you should probably get a cut of the money we are all saving. :lol:

(Plz send cost of one tube of gastrogard to… :lol: :lol: :lol:)

[Sparrowette]

Why pay for expensive horse shampoo, when you can use Pantiene? Use VERY LITTLE, AND RINSE, RINSE, RINSE.

[lorilu]

Right now, my fav is spray on Liquid Bandage. WOrking on keeping meds on and flies off a summer sore on his flank right under the “drip line”…
ANd almost forgot - TUMS fruit gummies as treats!!

[fanfayre]

Hey, where is Phaxxton?

[ElementFarm]

What dosage of nexium do you all use? Do you use it daily long term, or just for shipping and showing, or what?
I’ve used abprazole on and off for years, but ordering from abler can be a pain and shipping is slow. I’d love to learn more about using human nexium for my horses!

[Simkie]

@ElementFarm

What dosage of nexium do you all use? Do you use it daily long term, or just for shipping and showing, or what?
I’ve used abprazole on and off for years, but ordering from abler can be a pain and shipping is slow. I’d love to learn more about using human nexium for my horses!

https://www.chronofhorse.com/forum/forum/discussion-forums/horse-care/9650940-esomeprazole-nexium-for-equine-ulcers

[soloudinhere]

@Sparrowette

Why pay for expensive horse shampoo, when you can use Pantiene? Use VERY LITTLE, AND RINSE, RINSE, RINSE.

Prell is cheaper and is probably better at removing any staining than most purple shampoos. It is used to strip a bad hair dye job, but isn’t actually that hard on the hair. I use it all the time. A bottle is $2.72 at walmart.

[myamego]

Human conditioner for manes and tails! So cheap, and makes them so so soft and easy to brush :love-struck: I rinse the conditioner out, but you could probably leave it in.

I love the idea of Listerine for disinfecting and sanitary napkins for wounds, I’ll have to write those down!

[zakkandtoto]

Hibiclens

Sterile Saline (eye care aisle) - We’re on a well - I don’t trust our water to clean wounds.

Diaper rash ointment - for noses (40% zinc oxide) and my BO has a trick to prevent proud flesh: saline and zinc oxide on a nonstick pad, taped over the cleaned (and antibiotic treated) wound and then wrapped. A halter horse person shared it with her years ago. And it works.

[mydogs]

A heating pad.
My horse LOVED having a heating pad on his back, neck, and SI area during the winter. Put it on level 1 or 2 and he would yawn for about 1-3 minutes straight and fall asleep in the cross ties. Cheaper and quicker than a back on track sheet.