hi i was just wondering if anyone has ever tried or heard of the pig oil and sulfur mix?? if so i would love as much information as poss, i have 4 cobs all with thick feathers, could anyone explain how it works and what the benefits are ?? cheers
Pig oil... does it actually work?
- Thread starter nuttytart85
- Start date
The pig oil is just a light oil which provides a barrier to water and helps mud and things sticking to the feather (or mane and tail). Flour of Sulphur is a yellow powder which is used to get rid of various insects, gardeners use it as well. Its used to stop leg mites in horses with feather.
Either of them will work on their own, although the powder can be difficult to apply and will come off quickly.
Mixed they are used by the heavy horse and M&M people to stop mites and go some way towards protecting against mud fever and stop mud caking in feathers. Its greasy but does wash off easily for showing. Its not good in summer on the mane, tail or body as can cause sunburn.
In my experience its not brilliant if you already have mites, but once you have got rid of them it prevents reinfestation.
If I use it I put it on clean dry feather every few days and dont wash the legs off when they come in.
Either of them will work on their own, although the powder can be difficult to apply and will come off quickly.
Mixed they are used by the heavy horse and M&M people to stop mites and go some way towards protecting against mud fever and stop mud caking in feathers. Its greasy but does wash off easily for showing. Its not good in summer on the mane, tail or body as can cause sunburn.
In my experience its not brilliant if you already have mites, but once you have got rid of them it prevents reinfestation.
If I use it I put it on clean dry feather every few days and dont wash the legs off when they come in.
I apply this after every farriers visit as a preventitive and my 2 are the only 2 out of 6 on my yard without mud fever.
We all have out tried and trusted ways - this is my choice. I prefer to prevent it rather than to treat it.
I also make a point of not washing down legs unless necessary.
The pig oil and sulphur means that any mud slids easilly off the feathers (I have a sec d with more than usual feathers) and keeps them soft and silky.
Having said all that I know that what works for me may not work for everyone and there are people for whom this hasn't worked. I'm luckiy to have found what works for us.
We all have out tried and trusted ways - this is my choice. I prefer to prevent it rather than to treat it.
I also make a point of not washing down legs unless necessary.
The pig oil and sulphur means that any mud slids easilly off the feathers (I have a sec d with more than usual feathers) and keeps them soft and silky.
Having said all that I know that what works for me may not work for everyone and there are people for whom this hasn't worked. I'm luckiy to have found what works for us.
Ditto Joyscarer but I put it on once in between farrier visits so basically every 3 weeks. Not a hint of mudfever since I started using it - and his feathering has finally started to grow
I use it on my hairy coblet: wonderful for mud sliding off with a quick hose and I'm hoping it'll help with mites: can't give him vaccs and the mite injection all at once!
Any oil is fine as long as it's fairly light-baby oil is good, too.
A decent tack shop or farm equipment shop should carry sulphur: search for Coyote's threads on the correct amounts for the mix/frequency of application/uses.
Any oil is fine as long as it's fairly light-baby oil is good, too.
A decent tack shop or farm equipment shop should carry sulphur: search for Coyote's threads on the correct amounts for the mix/frequency of application/uses.
thanks to all who replied, i think im going to give it a try, does anyone know where i can buy it from preferly already mixed?? i dont mind travling too far
I'm glad someone asked this question, i've been pondering over it too. There is some ready mixed for sale on ebay and they do it in fairly small quantities as well as larger ones.
I use it as preventative for mud fever and to keep Molly's legs clean. I never wash legs unless going somewhere posh or bathing - just leave mud to dry and it falls off and leaves her white bits sparkling
I put it on after farrier visits - so every 6 weeks and do it from the knee/hock down.
We've not actually had any mid fever though so can't comment on whether it actually prevents or treats as not had to find out.
I got 5 litres ready mixed on ebay and that will have lasted me all winter with lots left over. Our local tack shop now sells the oil and sulphur separately - so next time I expect I'll go there.
I put it on after farrier visits - so every 6 weeks and do it from the knee/hock down.
We've not actually had any mid fever though so can't comment on whether it actually prevents or treats as not had to find out.
I got 5 litres ready mixed on ebay and that will have lasted me all winter with lots left over. Our local tack shop now sells the oil and sulphur separately - so next time I expect I'll go there.
I'd say give it a try, I worked at Shire Horse Centre years ago that swore by it. Used it on Samson since I got him 9 months ago and seem to be winning the mud fever & mites war so far. Considering he has the boggiest field in the world thats no mean feat and having got in touch with his first owner I found out he always had his leggs clipped as he suffered with itching so bad, so I think its doing the trick
i am glad to hear all good reports from it!! and maybe it will cure the problem(fingers crossed) i was also just wondering how long do the feathers have to be because i had to clip them off one of my horses as his itching was drivin him mad 
When i got Samson (9 months ago) he was clipped out and he got a bit of mud fever a few weeks in so I started the PO&S then and he had very short hair, so I would say sooner the better, prevention is definitly easier
i will be bying some off ebay hopefully on tuesday thanks to all what helped me reach my desicion
thanks to all what helped me reach my desicion newrider.com