The elderly, retired gentleman in my barn has diarrhea each year about this time. Because I know it will happen, I generally get him on bio-Sponge at the first sign --a low daily dose, but it clears up quickly. This year I wasn’t quick enough and by the time I had him symptom free, he had a solid green tail and his hind legs were coated an inch thick --yet, you ask, how can that be, knowing what a dedicated horse owner I am? Well, it’s currently -10 here --and has been in the sub-zero range for about a week. I was hoping the weather would warm above freezing so I could give him a booty wash --but not predicted to do so. And so, here’s what I did:
Safety first: I needed to make sure he was as dry as possible before he went out to pasture --my barn is not heated; it is just as cold inside as out; so I took an arm-load of towels with me --considered a hair dryer but didn’t. Might do that if there’s a next time. And my safety --wet hands in sub-zero can frostbite in minutes–so heavy gloves with heaters in them for me --two coats --one to get wet, one to put on when done.
Next:warm water --no water heater in my barn so used a plug-in kettle that heats two quarts at a time quickly to a boil. Added that to a half bucket of cold water --the result was warm water – shampoo–thawed in house --Cowboy Magic --and conditioner -leave in kind.
Took off my coat (had second coat under) and gloves --dipped tail and held it in the water until it thawed and the green ice became liquid. Massaged in shampoo and started on hind legs and butt cheeks with sponge and warm water trying to soak off build up. Eventually was successful --added shampoo and massaged in. Back to tail. Fresh bucket of warm water and rinsed, then rinsed the legs and butt. Then a second bucket and rinsed again. Took towels and pressed and dried frantically --but tail was starting to freeze --rubbed in conditioner. Massaged in conditioner into butt cheeks and down to hocks (already some hair loss due to poop freezing on it) --quickly wrapped almost dry tail top in a leg wrap, then braided the rest now almost stiff and freezing bottom --hope for the best --could not handle a rubber band as my hands were numb, so used a piece of tape --might not stay in–oh, if you have wet hands, don’t grab the stall handle that’s metal --you’ll stick to it. Use a towel. Final rub to dry as much as possible, and sent the now clean old gent out to his hay and pasture buddies.
I suppose his tail is now frozen again --but his legs are dry and clean so that’s a plus --other than a hair dryer --any other suggestions to make a booty wash more humane and pleasant? He was eating the whole time I was washing, so I don’t think he was in any discomfort --but to go out in the cold with even a damp place on one’s butt can’t be good. I’d have left him in, but as I said, my barn is no warmer than the outside --and I thought moving around would be better than standing in his stall. He does have a 3 sided shed he uses and he’s totally blanketed. I actually think that’s part of the problem --the tail flap keeps him from lifting his tail out of the way . . . anyway, ideas appreciated!
