Dampness makes for scratches -- Your best defense against crud on heels is to only put bone dry legs in or out. Great grooms never veer from this rule to live by. Here's more on how to treat and protect against scratches...
I just read a blog by a very old and prominent company. It was wrought with misinformation. Ugh. To clarify:
The image above shows the results after bathing with Lucky Braids Shampoo.
Rule #1- ALWAYS only put bone dry legs in or out. Using a clean TOWEL to dry legs has MANY benefits. Increasing circulation promotes healing and natural defenses. ONLY dry legs go out or in. Keep a clean towel handy that only gets used to dry clean legs.
Rule #2- DO NOT pick scabs. For one, I know a very seasoned trainer that got her FACE BROKEN doing that. Read: smashed teeth, nose, cheek and jaw. Broken. Apart from hurting, you are just *opening the skin* for more infection. Picking scabs will make a big, sore, oozing mess. Scabs are part of the healing process. Let it run its course.
"I just wanted to say how great your product is working on a bad case of scratches that my horse has had for months. I have tried so many products and nothing helped. I bought the All-In-One Shampoo and Handy Salve. A week and a half after use, I have made some major improvements" -April Greicus
Rule #3- Clean is NOT enough. Even medicated shampoos can, in the long run, make conditions worse.
Rule #4- Choose products carefully. A medicated shampoo that dries out the skin is stripping its natural defenses. So, the crud may go away for a moment, but it will return. A greasy ointment is problematic in three ways:
If you want to be all forward with healing as well as protect the skin… break the cycle of scratches with Lucky Braids Handy Salve and stay out of the loop with our All-In-One Shampoo.
All Lucky Braids products come with a LOVE LOVE Guarantee and are available online.
~Ruthann
Here’s the thing. I’ve talked to many chemists about conditioners. The conversation always hinges on how they get something to stick to the hair. I don’t want something to stick to the hair! Why clog pores and weigh down a horse’s tail??! A tail that falls like dead weight is not healthy nor appealing to me. Plus, you can’t hold it to braid! Ugh.
Here’s a proven and guaranteed program for tails to be SNOWY WHITE, bright and SHINY.
Rule #1: Don’t use detangler. It can discolor. Plus, you WON’T NEED and added conditioner nor detangler with this program.
Rule #2: Don’t use conventional whitening shampoos. Did you ever notice those horses always seem to get dirty? Drying shampoos...