Cleaning ears

[KarinUS]

I was rubbing DJ's ears today (he likes it) and noticed they are kind of gunky on the inside.
What should I use to wash them with. It feels like dirt and ear wax. :o
Any tips and tricks?

[galadriel]

I use a cloth, dry or damp. Try to be sure that you stroke from the inside out (this is also usually up, for me) to keep gunk from falling into the ear canal. Generally you don't need soap or anything stronger than water. If it's particularly yucky, you might want to use warm water to make it softer.

[Tina&Dale]

I agree with galadriel and this is what I do. I clean with a damp flannel a few times a week to ensure it doesn't build up which I find makes it difficult to clean!

However, I have heard argument that suggests it is bad to clean your horses ears... The wax is protection against dirt and so shouldn't be removed etc.. I agree with this completely but Dale doesn't suffer because of it so I figure it's ok for him all things considered (environment etc.).

I know you can get some kind of specialist ear cleaner from the vet but I've never used anything like it before.

[Bebe]

To be honest I've never cleaned Bebe's ears in the entire time I've had her.

She does like me to scrub them with my knuckles though, she'll lean her head right in so I can really rub hard (on the inside of her ears too!).

[virtuallyhorses]

I've often wondered - but I assumed that because they have upright ears with hair in them that you didn't clean.

[Jessey]

I don't often bother but our old boy gets flys in his ears in summer then they go a bit scabby and yucky, so I put a cotton wool ball in his ear (at the bottom to stop any nasties falling in) then give the ear a good rub with warm water (which he really enjoys) and put some fly creme in, then just take out the cotton wool.

J

[KarinUS]

I've often wondered - but I assumed that because they have upright ears with hair in them that you didn't clean.
That's what I thought too- hence never did it.
But the gunk sticks to the hair making the hair defense against intruders a little less effective.
The cotton wool ball sounds like a good idea! Thanks. :)