Dirty mare! (Seasonal 'issues')

[chickflick1066]

My mare is squirting more then ever before and the mess is everywhere! Am I right in thinking I should wash the substance off because if left on it can burn her hairs on her back legs?

If so, is normal water ok? Or can I use something a bit stronger, perhaps a lightly medicated shampoo because normal water is currently not moving the stubborn stains?

Also, how should I properly clean the udders. I've always just washed with water, and once used hibiscrub after fly bites caused her to bleed. What can I use because there's a lot of build up of fly mess and blood from the bites?

Oh, and is fly-spray safe to use on the udders?

Thanks for your help on such a 'pleasent' topic.

[akehurstannabel]

I put baby oil on their udders a few hours before to loosen any gunk, then wash gently with a flannel and johnsons baby softwash and warm water. After I dry them with a soft towel and put a light coating of baby oil on the udders which seems to keep them cleaner for longer and replaces any oils lost by washing.

[linparris]

I use tesco gentle antiseptic(ish) hand wash and that works really well on those stinky bits.... Pearl is a demon for this and ends up with a bleached white tail if I leave it. Otherwise plain warm water and I also use nappy cream on udders.

[SuzieP]

Gosh, and I thought cleaning a gelding was complicated!

[dalesponyrider]

More complicated than a mare - at least a mare can't retract her udders and you don't have to stick Mr Hand up to find the "bean!"

[akehurstannabel]

Ooooooh no need! That is exactly why I never have and never will have a gelding as long as i live! Give me a smelly mare's bits anyday!