Sheath cleaning, what happens if you don't and why should you?

Question

Is it a must? Do you give all of your geldings sheath cleanings? How often? etc. I've owned geldings for many many years and not once have I done that. I show around here and such but never have I heard anyone discuss or do that. I then got to thinking as one horse where I board had an abnormal lump on his genitals that maybe I should keep my boys clean and checked over annually or biannually. Also same questions for mares as I've got them too.

Answer 1

The need for it is debatable. Many horses live out their lives without ever having the sheath cleaned and have no health issues. There is mounting evidence that many inflammations, lesions, and infections are actually caused by excessive cleaning of the sheaths. There is no viable evidence that cleaning the sheath actually prevents infections or lesions.



Breeding stallions, btw, are cleaned to protect the mare's genital tract, and not because it benefits the stallion.



The oils that form smegma (oils mixed with dead skin cells that shed) are protective. They maintain a layer of pH balanced protection from microbes and insects that can enter the sheath from the environment when the horse lies down, etc. The pH aids in preventing microbes from colonizing and developing into infections. There is also a protective bacterial flora on the skin of the sheath. These bacteria compete against pathogenic (disease-producing) microbes and help to maintain the pH, and they are essential to the prevention of infections.



Anything that kills the microflora increases vulnerability to infections. This can include antibacterial agents or drowning of the microflora with excessive rinsing.



Cleaning of the sheath can disturb the natural oils and microflora, which leaves the skin more vulnerable to infections. The cleaning agents can irritate and cause inflammatory changes in the skin which can then encourage development of lesions.



There is a risk of developing a hardened "bean" of smegma within the pouch surrounding the urethral meatus where urine is passed from the tip of the penis. If one enlarges sufficiently, it can obstruct urine flow. So this pouch should definitely be checked regularly for a bean, and if one is found it should be removed.



If your horse drops and you see lumps or excessive accumulation of debris, then a cleaning is in order. I only recommend use of plain water, or of K-Y jelly to lubricate and remove excess debris. K-Y is water soluble, so if it isn't rinsed, it won't hurt anything. It won't kill the microflora or disturb the natural oils. It will allow you to soften and remove the excess smegma and debris without irritating the skin of the sheath. K-Y is a medical lubricant that we use when needed for delicate procedures like insertion of urinary catheters, and is safe to use for sheath cleaning and removal of the bean.



So, I recommend cleaning the sheath only when you observe an obvious need for it, and not according to any arbitrary schedule and only using K-Y jelly, and to be sure to check for a bean periodically.



Add....Excalibur is an unregulated (not researched and approved under FDA protocol) product. It can cause skin and eye irritation, gloves must be worn when handling it, and it must be rinsed fully when used. Tea tree oil is the only ingredient the manufacturer lists, while the others remain unrevealed for public scrutiny. I never like to use products on my horses that can't be fully researched for safety and efficacy, and/or have not been FDA approved. Here is the MSDS on it.................



http://whatsinproducts.com/msds.php?brandId=6694

Answer 2

Lexi, ALL male horses need to have their sheaths cleaned thoroughly at least once annually, and they also need to be checked for the presence of a "bean" or a stone at the tip of their penis at the time they are cleaned. If such a stone is found, it should be removed, because these stones can block the urethral opening and cause serious infections if they get large enough. I'm sure your horses would greatly appreciate being cleaned at some point- and by the way, it's a something of a minor miracle that none of them have ever developed an infection in that area. Horses which do a lot of work in dusty areas need to be cleaned more than once annually, because they kick dirt onto their sheaths when they are working. Likewise, breeding stallions also need much more frequent cleanings- THEY need to be cleaned every time they are bred, both before and after. Care must also be taken to keep the stallion's underside clean and well groomed, so as to avoid carrying dirt, hair and germs into the reproductive tract of the mare when the horse is bred. Horses in the wild shed the skin on their penis as a way of cleaning it, but you can't and shouldn't rely on this happening with their domestic counterparts.



The best way to clean a horse's sheath is to use a product which is specifically made for that purpose, such as Excalibur. This is a cleaner which is available at most tack and feed stores, or you can order it on line from almost any of the tack, feed, or vet supply companies. Just ask for it by name. When you go to do this, keep in mind that some horses may object to being cleaned or touched in that area, especially if they've never had this done before. For this reason, you should do things which will make the horse as comfortable as possible. Wear gloves, and remove anything from your hands which might scratch the horse's skin, such as rings or a watch. If you have long fingernails, trim them BACK before you start. Use WARM WATER for rinsing, both before and after you apply the Excalibur. Using a cold hose on a horse's sheath is a great way to get yourself KICKED, and I don't recommend such a practice. You may want to have someone hold your horses for you if they are skittish, or if they've never had this done before. If a horse is really skittish or just plain acting up, then you may want to ask your vet to give the animal a shot of tranquilizer prior to starting. Follow the directions on the Excalibur label carefully, and make sure you rinse the horse off thoroughly when you are done cleaning. Mares require regular cleaning too, at least once annually. They need to have their udders cleaned off and be checked for evidence of mastitis. Mares also need to have their external genital area cleaned once or twice a year. If you are planning to breed any of your mares, then they will need cleaning prior to being sent to the stallion or bred by AI.



Why is sheath cleaning important? Well, mainly because it prevents infections, Lexi. Horses can get urinary tract infections and STI's too, just as people do. This horse at the place you're boarding at ( the one with the lump) probably has a blockage of the urethral tract, or perhaps he has a tumor. Both of these conditions can be precipated by lack of cleanliness. Cleanliness is also important for aesthetic reasons. Horses which are dirty often look ( and some of them SMELL) that way. Being dirty in that area makes horses vulerable to insect bites, too, because flies and stinging insects are attracted to dirt and foul smells. ALL our horses get their sheaths or udders cleaned at least once a year- and we currently have 11 of them on the farm. When it's done regularly and correctly, it doesn't take that long- and more importantly, it also allows you to notice if a horse has a problem that needs treatment.

Answer 3

I usually clean my gelding's sheath 2 times every year. That's the usual amount. I use excalibur ( it's like a green kind of soap, look it up if you don't know what I'm talking about) and just get out all the clumps of dirt, and then rinse it off.Make sure you use plastic gloves!!!

Answer 4

Definitely clean it, it could cause infections and is uncomfortable for them

Answer 5

whenever they have there wotsit out you just slip your hand underneath and put it all over you then have to rinse it off later in the day. and you do it because it will not be very comfortable for the horse for it to be dirty.

Answer 6

READ THIS!



http://www.moniteausaddleclub.com/sheath_cleaning.htm