[arasemt]

I didn't know what to title this. Tomorrow I think I'll give Shakira a bath and get her all spiffied up. My biggest problem will be her ears...she has a white growth in them - I don't remember what the vet said it's called; I thought it was a fungus but it's not. She said I can just pick it out...of course Shakira isn't too happy with me when I do that. Anyway, she also has pretty long hair in her ears that gets goopy with ear wax or something and it looks terrible. What's the best way to get rid of that hair considering that it bothers her to have her ears messed with too much because of that white growth? She's not ear shy or anything, she's fine when I bridle her, it's just that it must be uncomfortable for her when I mess with her ears too much.

Thanks for your help...

[Catalyst]

I would consider clipping the hair out of her ears. This will help with getting the white stuff out and minimise the wax etc.
It's quicker and in the long term less truamatic because it's over in a matter of minutes instead of you playing in there with your fingers for ages.
If you want to keep her head imobalized whilst you're clipping, you could try a twitch (which is said to release endorphins) or a skin fold on her neck. I perfere this method because if something happens, it can be released easier. Neither hurt the horses, merely make them think of something other than what you're doing to their heads

[Blistering Winds]

When you twitch the skin, usually done at the shoulder. More sensitive area.

As for the ears, there is some stuff you can stick on a rag to wipe the inside out.

Unfortuantely if you get all the ear hair out, you can end up with a HUGE bacteria infection. The hair protects the ear. Though with a bunch of gunk in the ear, that is bad too.

You might want to sedate him and do a full cleaning and flush. But it is easier and safer to do it when the horse is out.

[Craig]

i should think the white growths in the ears are aural plaques or something similar.

if you are concerned about how the horse will behave whilst you fiddle with ears, call your vet and ask if she can recommend anything.

[cassidy]

my horse has white things in his ears they are like warts but if i was to do something about the hair i would simply give them a trim i no alot of people who do this because there horses ears look like squirrel ears lol

[arasemt]

Craig, that's what they are...thank you. So now I'm confused because some people are saying to trim the hair but BW said she could get an infection then. I get ear infections and I certainly don't want her to go through that ****!!

One more thing...I'm not really concerned about how she will behave. I'm more concerned about not causing her too much discomfort.

[Craig]

that's a difficult one to answer because there are so many different opinions. many owners, when turning their horse out for a show, clip the inside ear hair, whiskers and any other part of the body that is visible. they believe that is what a "turned out" horse should look like. however, trimming or clipping away the ear hair does leave your horses ears prone to infection and you'd have to be prepared to make a few changes in your care and management of the ears.

i wouldn't pick at the plaques with your fingers, as dirt and bacteria could be transported, either to your horse from you or to you from your horse. usually plaques regress on their own within 3 to 6 months. if you want a more soothing way of treating it, rather than picking the plaques off, dab them with a clean sponge dipped in water with a few drops of aloe vera in it. it soothes any discomfort and she may become more relaxed when you're touching her ears.

[EqUeStRiAn]

ive heard that those things are called plaques: which are harmless but unsightly growths. Am i totally off track or are we talking about the same thing?

[Craig]

that's what we are talking about. they are benign growths.

[arasemt]

Thanks so much for the advice.