Preventing Scratches

Many times I've noticed posts on Bulletin Boards from people wanting to
know what Oiling & Sulfuring is with feathered breeds. When one does a
search online for help...not much comes up. The few explanations (or
recipes) that I've found that come up on actual websites (and not just the
replies for that question asked on a bulletin board) was one where it is
explained to add 2TBS of Sulfur acquired from Gardening Centers or local
drug stores mixing it well in a quart of Mineral Oil then squirting it onto the
feathers and rubbing in...with a statement to Not use more than 2 TBS of
Sulfur as you could burn your horses skin. This is exactly why (just like it
has been told to me) I tell others when asked about Oiling & Sulfuring to make
sure that they acquire Sulfur that is processed for animal use and to Not use
sulfur that is processed for gardening and other applications. The Sulfur
processed for animal use is safe to use on your feathered horse and to my
knowledge (through using on my own horses and from what others have told
me) I've never heard or seen the Sulfur processed for animal use burn the
skin of a horse. {You order Animal grade Sulfur from your feed store }
Because the Feathered Horse has abundant feather on their legs (unlike
light breeds)...there are certain cares one needs to take in maintaining the
health and beauty of them that many do not realize. One of these "cares"
for the Feathered Horse is prevention of scratches (which seems to be more
prevalent in the feathered breeds). Any search online for what scratches is
will turn up definitions explaining the signs and stages of it. Although
Researchers have not identified the cause of this disease, there are methods
and "recipes" for prevention. Oiling & Sulfuring is one method for
preventing scratches that has been passed along by the "old timers" involved
in feathered breeds. The theory is that the Sulfur creates an environment
that prevents growth of the bacteria or fungus that possibly cause scratches.
The Mineral Oil acts as an agent to apply and keep the sulfur on the legs
of the horse. The Mineral Oil also helps keep the feathers soft and silky,
keeping the feather from becoming dry and brittle & helping to prevent "mud
burn" or breakage of feather. One day while I was applying the Oil /Sulfur
mix on my horses...I thought about taking pictures of the process and
decided that I needed a page on my website explaining the process. So below
you will find a process of how to Oil & Sulfur a feathered horse - illustrated
with pictures. This process was explained to me by a long time breeder of
heavily feathered breeds when I first got into Feathered breeds. I hope that
this will help others who are either just getting into ownership of the
feathered breeds or just wishing to expand their horse knowledge. Enjoy!

{Side note to Oiling & Sulfuring:
To make this task easier...make sure your horse is
trained to hold their feet still while you work on
their feathers. One way that I trained mine is to
have a cue for them for when I want them to pick
up there feet. With the front legs...it's a squeeze of
the chestnut and with the rear it's a squeeze of their
"hock cap". A verbal "Foot" is also given when I
want their foot lifted. Otherwise a verbal "Stand"
is given when I want to work on their feathers
without them moving their feet around ...like when
I need to Oil & Sulfur them. It makes everything
much easier if your horse is trained to stand still
when you want them to. }

              On this page I have put together pictures and instructions on how to
   Oil & Sulfur your Feathered Horse with help from Chivalry's Sir Orrick
                          (pictured above as a 2 yr old with one of his trainers
                                         just after he was Oiled & Sulfured).
During the "wetter" seasons is when you want to Oil & Sulfur your horses.
Depending on your geographical location....You can develop your own schedule
with when & how often you Oil & Sulfur. I personally like to Oil & Sulfur at least
once a month in the Winter (starting the routine after Show Season has ended)
....once a week during "mud season" and then back it off to once every two
weeks. A Month before Show season I quit Oiling & Sulfuring. For Draft Horse
Shows this usually starts around Aug. With Drafts being used more as Riding
  horses... Show season could start as early as May in the Northeast for you.

< Sulfur : ABSOLUTELY Make sure you get Sulfur that
IS SAFE to use on Animals. DO NOT get any other
kind of Sulfur such as from a Gardening Store. Sulfur
that is sold for Gardening is not safe to use on animals.
It even states that right on their bags. Any Sulfur you get
should be labeled like the one pictured here stating it is
for use on animals. Your local feed store or Cow supply
Company can order this for you. It comes in 50 lbs bags
and will probably be priced around $25 dollars. After
I've opened the sulfur bag... I like to keep it in a thick
garbage bag so that it's easy to close up and helps keep
the sulfur in the bags & is not easily spilled. Store it in a
Safe dry place where children & animals can not get into
it. (Click on the thumbnail to view a larger picture then
use your back button to get back to this page).

< Large Mixing Container : You can use a bucket
or as pictured here...a large container that has a
hole cut in the top. I just cut a large hole in the
top of the container my Soy Oil comes in. These
large Oil containers are sold by restaurant
supply companies and are about the size of a 5
gallon container. Just make sure what ever
container you use is larger than a two gallon
container , preferably a 3 to 4 gallon container
so it will hold the mix of a gallon of mineral oil
and the amount of Sulfur to make a milkshake
consistency. (Click on the thumbnail to view a
larger picture then use your back button to get
back to this page).

< Once again....Make sure you have
a very well ventilated area ...
(outside is the best...just make sure
you're in an area where the wind
won't blown sulfur into your face.
Don't breath in any sulfur dust and
make sure you don't get any in your
eyes while mixing it into the mineral
oil. Prepare and apply sulfur mix in
a safe area. Keep it away from
children and as with anything...be
aware of those around you ).
Pour One Gallon of Mineral
Oil into your mixing container and
begin putting Sulfur into the Mineral
Oil. (Click on the thumbnails to
view a larger picture then use your
back button to get back to this page).

< Continue to add Sulfur into the
Mineral Oil (stir and break up any
large lumps with your spoon) until
your mix is the consistency of a
milkshake. You don't want it to be
too runny...you want it thick but not
too thick. Once you have it to the
consistency of a good milkshake...
you're ready to go apply it to the
feather on your horse.
Don't worry if there are some lumps
still in the mix...you can squish and
mix in those lumps as you grab out
the mixture to apply on your horse
as you go along (Click on the
thumbnails to view a larger picture
then use your back button to get back
to this page).

< Scooping out a handful of the Oil /
Sulfur mix spread it on your horse's
legs starting at the knees/hocks and
spread it down the leg. Make sure
you massage it or rub it in so that
the Oil / Sulfur mix penetrates to
the skin. I've found that the horses
usually enjoy the leg massage as
you rub the mix in.

< This picture shows you the
consistency of the mix. Just thick
enough so that it doesn't run down
the leg all watery like and yet liquid
enough to massage into the hair so
that it penetrates in to the skin.
(Click on the thumbnails to view a
larger picture then use your back
button to get back to this page).

<This picture shows how the feather
is ruffled up because of the
massaging and rubbing in of the
Oil / Sulfur Mix.

Oil / Sulfur all four legs from the
knees/hocks down Paying Special
attention to the back bottom part of
the fetlock/pastern area. This is
were Scratches usually begin... To
prevent scratches from starting
< MAKE SURE YOU GET A
GOOD AMOUNT OF THE OIL/
SULFUR MIX DEEP IN TO THE
SKIN OF THE BACK OF THE
FETLOCK & DOWN TO THE
HOOF BULB. Saturate the feathers
to the skin here especially in the area
of the back of the pastern bones and
hoof bulb area.

< One gallon of Mineral Oil mixed
with enough Sulfur to make it the
consistency of a milkshake will be
enough to do all four legs on a well
feathered horse. As you can see
...Sir Orrick's legs are well
saturated with just using one gallon
of Mineral Oil mixed with Sulfur.
(Click on the thumbnails to view a
larger picture then use your back
button to get back to this page).

<This is what your horse's legs/
feather will look like after walking
around a bit. Your horses feather
(depending on where your horse is
turned out ) may look like it's
collecting dirt or "staining". I've
heard many a times people tell me
the Oil attracts dirt and debris to the
feather and stains your horse's
feather. Well...although dirt does
get on your horse's feather after
you've applied the Oil & Sulfur....
I have never had any problems with
stains on my horses. The Oil seems
to form a barrier around the hair
shafts and keeps dirt and such from
staining the feather. My only
experience has been that my horse's
feather turns out a brilliant,
sparkling white when cleaned and
washed up. From personal
experience I'd say you don't have to
worry because the Mineral oil
makes it so that the dirt does not
stain the feather and when you do
wash your horse (which I personally
wouldn't do for at least 4 to 5 days
after applying the Oil/Sulfur mix)
their feather will be sparkling white.
(Click on the thumbnails to view a
larger picture then use your back
button to get back to this page).

~Cleaning yourself up after Oiling & Sulfuring~
Cleaning up afterwards doesn't have to be a hassle.
Although I always make sure that I wear clothes that don't
really matter when doing this job of Oiling & Sulfuring....
I've never had any issues with "stains" coming out of my
clothes in the wash. I did however, for a time, have issues with
trying to wash off the Oil & Sulfur that I happened to get on
my skin....(which will probably happen). I used to use regular
dish soap in trying to wash off any Oil & Sulfur that got on
my wrists and arms and found that it was quite difficult.
The Mineral Oil seemed to resist being cleaned off with just
dish soap. Luckily....my husband sugested using a product
that is well know with mechanics.... Gojo (pictured at right)>
(or a lava soap used to get motor oil and grease off of
mechanics hands) . This product easily removes what ever
Oil & Sulfur that you do happen to get on your skin.
I would highly recomend getting Gojo for wash up afterwards.
It makes things just sooo much easier.
(Click on the thumbnails to view a larger picture then use
your back button to get back to this page).

Preventing scratches from developing on your
Feathered Horse means you need to catch
even the smallest sign that your horse may be
developing them. Check the skin under your
horse's feather frequently!
During the "wetter"seasons or if your horse is
exposed to wet or damp conditions often and for
long periods of time in there turnouts...is when
you should keep your horses Oiled & Sulfured
...however there are times when you won't be
Oiling and Sulfuring.
(Like Show Season)
<I've found that this product.... (Click on the
thumbnails to view a larger picture then use
your back button to get back to this page).
<Eqyss MicroTek Equine Spray really works
great! If I ever feel even just the smallest bump
or "scab" on my horses...I spray this on the
spot and it heals the area. I don't use this
product with the Oil & Sulfur. The only time
I've ever applied this was when my horses
feathers were clean and not Oiled & Sulfured.
This product is great to keep handy during
Show Season when you don't want to be
Oiling & Sulfuring your horse.

WARNING NOTE: Some horses may have allergies to sulfur. Do a
spot check to see if any reactions to the sulfur occur before you oil
& sulfur fully and/or discuss Oiling & Sulfuring your horse with your
Vet first. (It was brought to my attention recently of one situation where the owner oiled &
sulfured their horse and the horse's legs swelled up in reaction to the sulfur. Many horse
medications contain sulfur...and the owner's Vet told them that they were actually lucky to have
found out that their horse was allergic to sulfur this way instead of from a prescribed medicine.
I want to thank that person for contacting me and letting me know of what happened so that I could
put up the information they found out on this page to help ensure all our horses wellbeing. If
anyone else has any experiences with oiling & sulfuring where they feel a word of caution needs
attention....please feel free to email me them and I'll gladly put them up for all to read. )

                                       Amy Lasley of Spruce Nubble Farm
{Breeders of Outstanding Green Tree Pythons, Kinkajous, Chinchillas and Gypsy Drum Horses}
                                             http://www.sprucenubblefarm.com
kindly formated this pictured tutorial of Oiling & Sulfuring a feathered horse into a
  PDF printable page so others can print it off to take outside with them to have the
  instructions at hand the first time they oil and sulfur.

                  I'm sure I won't be the only one thanking you Amy for doing this!!
Please click on the link below to download a printable version of this tutorial.

Oiling & Sulfuring article PDF printable format