Cleaning boy bits

[CobsGalore]

My boy has been 'squeaking' a lot in trot recently and getting his bits out, so thought I would check him...

I know some people clean there regularly, but I have never felt the need to for any of my geldings as there was no need to, well until now.

Anyway, sorry if this is a bit gross but I'm concerned and have a few questions.. I could feel maybe 3 large hard bits of skin, almost felt like scabs which were half attached and half coming off. When I say big, I mean about the width and length of three fingers, and probably half a cm in thickness. It felt like if I pulled them they would come off (but I didn't obviously). They were attached to the skin around his sheath, not his actual bits.

Is this the build up that needs to be cleaned? Or is this something else that I should get vet out for?

Sorry if I have just put anyone off their dinner...

 

[Dusty85]

LOL!!!

These sound like bits that need to come off! They should just come away easily- if they are quite dry you can try putting a glove on, cover it in baby or mineral oil and wipe on, cover everything, wait a little until it all softens and then pick it off. (only if it come away easily mind! don't yank it!)

I have a gelding too, and rather than do big cleaning sessions I just take bits off every now and then when his bits are hanging out for all to see!!! (this is usually after a ride when he's back in his stable) But i never pull bits off that don't seem to want to come off- I would imagine that would be rather painful!!!

Consider it the cross we have to bear-but I would rather that than in season mares that squirt and squeal at everything with four legs!!!!!

 

[Izzwizz]

Sounds like its just a build up of the greasy stuff that collects in that area. My gelding has a greasy sheath, I just clean it now and again, when I can smell it or he gets a sort of discharge sticking to his back legs. Can't describe it any better than that, sorry. I just get a clean sponge with warm water and generally clean the area, he seems to like it. As for his boy bits, if there are any "corn flake looking bits" hanging off it when it pops out then I just pick them off. He did have a "bean" at the end of his penis, that had to be gently eased out. Im lucky, he doesnt mind me messing in that area, almost falls asleep.!

None of the above involved a Vet by the way...if your worried then ring yours for advice.

 

[CobsGalore]

His actual bits are quite clean, it's just this build up inside that I was worried about! It really didn't feel like they would come off easily and didn't want to hurt him trying to pull them off! What if they still don't ease off after putting mineral/baby oil on?

 

[MillyMoomie]

Sometimes things do build up in the area, particulary if they are stabled. Always good to keep it a clean area like everything else!

 

[Scrumpy-Jack]

Ewww...I'd let nature work it's magic

 

[CobsGalore]

Ewww...I'd let nature work it's magic

Hmm usually I would agree with you, but that can't be comfortable for him surely!

 

[NaeNae87]

Watch these. I find they are pretty accurate. It's not just the dry flakey skin that needs to be cleaned off, you need to clean inside the sheath and also check to see if there is a bean. There is horse willy wash, but I find you can get just as good results using baby oil and a hose with your hand.

http://www.thehorse.com/videos/30323/sheath-cleaning-for-male-horses-how-to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmRQM2-K8WU

Alternatively....
Step 1) Check to make sure there are no prospective boyfriends, elderly neighbors, or Brownie troops with a line of sight to the proceedings. Though of course they're probably going to show up unexpectedly ANYWAY once you're in the middle of things. Prepare a good explanation.

2) Trim your fingernails short. Assemble horse, hose, and your sense of humor (plus, ideally, Excalibur cleanser and perhaps thin rubber gloves).

3) Use hose (or damp sponge) to get the sheath and its inhabitant wet. Uh, that is, do this in a *civilized* fashion with due warning to the horse; he is apt to take offense if an icy-cold hose blasts unexpectedly into his personal regions ;-)

4) Now introduce your horse to Mr Hand. What I find safest is to stand facing the horse's head, with my shoulder and hip snugly against the horse's thigh and hip so that if he makes any suspicious move such as raising his leg, I can feel it right away and am in any case pressed so close that all he can do is shove, not really kick. The horse should be held by an assistant or by your free hand, NOT tied fast to a post or to crossties. He may shift around a good bit if he's not happy with Mr Hand's antics, but don't be put off by that; as long as you are patient and gradual, and stick close to his side, he'll get over it.

Remember that it would be most unladylike of you to simply make a direct grab for your horse's Part. Give the horse a clue about what's on the program. Rest your hand against his belly, and then slide it back til you are entering The Home of the Actual Private Part. When you reach this first region of your destination, lube him up good with Excalibur or whatever you're using.

5) If the outer part of his sheath is really grungy you will feel little clods and nubblies of smegma peeling off as you grope around in there. Patiently and gently expedite their removal.

5) Thus far, you have probably only been in the outer part of the sheath. The Part Itself, you'll have noticed, is strangely absent. That's because it has retired shyly to its inner chambers. Roll up them thar sleeves and follow in after it ;-)

6) As you and Mr Hand wend your way deeper into the sheath, you will encounter what feels like a small portal that opens up into a chamber beyond. Being attentive to your horse's reaction, invite yourself in. You are now in the inner sanctum of The Actual Private Part. It's hiding in there towards the back, trying to pretend it isn't there. Say hi and wave to it. No, really, work your finger back and forth around the sides of it. If the horse won't drop, this is your only shot at removing whatever dried smegma is clinging to the surface of the Part itself. So, gently explore around it, pulling out whatever crusty topsoil you find there. Use more water and more Excalibur if necessary to loosen attached gunk.

7) When Mr Hand and the Actual Private Part have gotten to know each other pretty well, and the Part feels squeaky clean all around, there remains only one task: checking for, and removing, the bean. The bean is a pale, kidney-shaped accumulation of smegma in a small pouch just inside the urethra. Not all horses accumulate a bean, but IME the majority do, even if they have no visible external smegma.

So: the equine urethra is fairly large diameter, and indeed will permit you to very gently insinuate one of your slimmer fingers inside the urethral opening. Do so, and explore upwards for what will feel like a lump or "pea" buried no more than, I dunno, perhaps 3/4" in from the opening. If you do encounter a bean, gently and sympathetically persuade it out with your finger. This may require a little patience from BOTH Mr Hand AND the horse, but the horse will be happier and healthier once it's accomplished. In the rare event that the bean is too enormous for your finger to coax out, you might try what I did (in desperation) last month on the orange horse: Wrap thumb and index finger around the end of the Part and squeeze firmly to extrude the bean. Much to my surprise it worked and orange horse did NOT kill me for doing it and he does not seem to have suffered any permanant damage as a result ;-> I have never in my life seen another bean that enormous, though.

8) Now all that's left to do is make a graceful exit and rinse the area very thoroughly in apology for the liberties you've taken. A hose will be MUCH easier to use here than just a sponge and bucket, IME. Make sure to direct the water into the Part's inner retreat too, not merely the outer part of the sheath. This may require you to enfold the end of the hose in your hand and guide it up there personally.

9) Ta-da, you are done! Say, "Good horsie" and feed him lots of carrots. Watch him make funny faces at the way your hands smell. Hmm. Well, perhaps there is ONE more step...

10) The only thing I know of that is at all effective in removing the lovely fragrance of smegma from your hands (fingernails arms elbows and wherever else it's gotten) is Excalibur. Even then, if you didn't use gloves you may find you've got an unusual personal perfume for a while. So, word to the wise, do NOT clean your horse's sheath just before an important job interview or first date ;-)

and of course, there is that one FINAL step...

11) Figure out how to explain all this to your mother (or the kid from next door, or the meter reader, or whoever else you've just realized has been standing in the barn doorway speechlessly watching the entire process.

Now, go thou forth and clean that Part

 

[Alyth]

Thank you Naenae!! I have printed it out, laminated it and will attempt gelding no 1 at the weekend!! Gelding no 2 the weekend afterwards......

 

[mynutmeg]

Thats is fabulous

 

[fburton]

So: the equine urethra is fairly large diameter, and indeed will permit you to very gently insinuate one of your slimmer fingers inside the urethral opening. Do so, and explore upwards for what will feel like a lump or "pea" buried no more than, I dunno, perhaps 3/4" in from the opening.

No, no, no - do not do this (literally)! What the writer is talking about is not the urethra itself, but the hollow around the end of the urethra (called the urethral fossa) which can contain compacted smegma. It is not advisable to attempt to insert a fingertip into the actual urethra (probably not possible anyway except maybe in very large horses) as that would be liable to cause damage and infection.

 

[L&M]

I have owned geldings for near on 20 yrs and have NEVER cleaned a sheath - I was told that by cleaning it, it disrupts the natural cleaning process, bean or no bean!

 

[Hippona]

I have owned geldings for near on 20 yrs and have NEVER cleaned a sheath - I was told that by cleaning it, it disrupts the natural cleaning process, bean or no bean!

My previous horse was very clean- never had to go near him. He was a gent.

One of my current ones is a stinker...he gets very sticky/grubby- it makes him uncomfortable and very occasionally I do have to venture forth. Warm water...tiny tiny smidge of hibiscrub, soft sponge......he really appreciates it.

Other one.....not so bad, but now and again I have pick off the odd flake.

Hopefully theres no random dog walkers skirting the field edge.

 

[ester]

sidney it would be very uncomfortable for a horse to be left with a bean unnecessarily. As Hippona says I do think all geldings are different, you simply cannot leave one when black gunk down the hindlegs is a daily finding (and no, leaving it doesn't resolve it either!)

I'm a warm water and some sheath cleanser girl.

I am also up for recommending that if you don't clean it at least get familiar with it having just caught some very early (ie hard to find otherwise!) carcinoma on my lad.

 

[Goldenstar]

Warm water ,sheath cleaner, rubber gloves .
It's not that bad to do if you keep them clean.
I bought who was sheath was infected as his was never cleaned in his previous home we had to get the vet to sort it it out it was awful the discomfort must have been terrible as he went from very grumpy to complete sweetheart after the vets mega clean out under sedation .
I have been much more disiplined about willy washing since then

 

[Patterdale]

The more you clean it, the more you will need to, as you disturb the natural ph of the area. Hence, people who clean sheaths will insist that they 'need' to, as they have 'dirty' geldings. In actual fact, cleaning them MAKES them dirtier.

Leave. Well. Alone.

 

[ester]

really not true or accurate patterdale.

 

[tiga71]

I generally leave my boy alone but was checking him over down there last week as noticed he dribbled a little while after peeing.

Found he had a massive bean or stone. Had my YO have a look (ex vet nurse) and she said best to get the vet as it was so big.

Vet sedated him and got it out quickly and easily but glad I got the vet as it was huge. About 3 cms wide.

Poor lad.

 

[Goldenstar]

The more you clean it, the more you will need to, as you disturb the natural ph of the area. Hence, people who clean sheaths will insist that they 'need' to, as they have 'dirty' geldings. In actual fact, cleaning them MAKES them dirtier.

Leave. Well. Alone.

This is not so mine never get dirty unless I forget for a while but horses varys considerably in how dirty they get .
Hunters need special attention I think it's to do with the long days in extreme mud.
It was always a evening after hunting job for every gelding when I worked on a posh hunter yard thirty years ago.
And then there was the willy cancer lecture I got from the vet after the infected willy saga that's was enough to get me reaching for the bucket and rubber gloves.
Stabling and hunting do make them dirtier though IME

 

[MillyMoomie]

The recommendation is every 6 months or so. The natural balance can be effected if done too much. But if not done at all, the bean in particular can cause obstruction when urinating and became quite painful.

 

[Patterdale]

Both true, and accurate ester. Even more so if you use bottled 'sheath cleaners.'

 

[ester]

fwiw I use this

http://www.barrier-biotech.com/product.php?pid=SH

I might pH it when I go home next weekend but I really don't think a fingerfull every 6 months or more is going to integrally change the pH.

excellent, do you have data for that?

 

[ester]

poor frank I am now plotting a pre and post pH testing for him , after the trauma of having photos taken for the vet last weekend! - at least having handled it a few times in his life means I have a handling technique which enables me to do this without sedation

I'd be interested to know what would you do if you had a gelding either constantly having smegma on his legs for 3 months + (as I tried- how long do you leave it before deciding it isn't doing such a great job on its own) or showed urination discomfort.

 

[VixieTrix]

I keep the KY Jelly handy !!!

The minute he gets it out i put a load of it on - waterbased so don't need to wash off ! he HATES HATES HATES me touching it so this is the best i can do and really works

Oooo sounds so rude lol x

 

[Patterdale]

Ask your vet for data, I'm sure you'll trust them more
But basically, it's for the same reasons they tell ladies not to wash their.......lady area...with soaps!

 

[Patterdale]

Ps, honestly, after 20 years of owning mostly geldings, and being a freelance instructor and rider, I've never had or encountered a gelding who 'needed' to be cleaned there.
My vet gave me the above information years ago and I've always put the fact that ive never needed to do it, down to the fact that I've never done it

 

[fburton]

I have owned geldings for near on 20 yrs and have NEVER cleaned a sheath - I was told that by cleaning it, it disrupts the natural cleaning process, bean or no bean!

You were told right - cleaning risks disrupting the sheath's natural bacterial flora. If you do that and allow pathogenic bacterial to colonize, you will end up having to clean it much more often, as Patterdale points out.

Occasional (once or twice a year) and not too aggressive cleaning with warm water and plain soap (what used to be called ivory soap) is unlikely to cause problems. The important thing is not to get it too clean - you want plenty of the natural bacterial to remain. If isn't very dirty, and the horse appears to be comfortable, it's better not to start washing imo.

(Breeding stallions are often washed, or at least rinsed, as part of the covering routine - but they are a special case, and one could argue they don't need washing either as they managed perfectly well fertility-wise before we came along and started interfering!)

However, that doesn't mean leaving it alone completely. Even if you don't wash, it is advisable to check for the presence of a bean on a regular basis, and one can remove some of the most egregious gunk/flakes without washing, as the opportunity arises.

 

[Hippona]

The more you clean it, the more you will need to, as you disturb the natural ph of the area. Hence, people who clean sheaths will insist that they 'need' to, as they have 'dirty' geldings. In actual fact, cleaning them MAKES them dirtier.

Leave. Well. Alone.

Nope. Wrong there.

I'd had him 3 years and never cleaned it.....I only noticed the gunk when I was grooming him because frankly it stank.

No way was I going to leave him uncomfortable, grouchy, smelly and with the possibility of getting infected.

He only gets cleaned IF and when he needs it, not a regular thing.

So actually...I will not leave well alone, thankyou.

 

[ester]

So you are only going off what your vet told you, I'm going off what my vet told me (and a bit of bacteriology knowledge ... )

Like hippona I don't make a date for it, it is done only when he shows symptoms sometimes that has been 18 months, sometimes 6. Certainly (as goldenstar suggests) worse in winter as he seems to have a habit of trying to eat straw with it....

 

[Hippona]

Ester....same here, its not ringed on the calendar

Needs must. Believe me, its not my favoured task

As you say though, when its down the back legs and has flies buzzing round it, leaving it well alone isn't really an option....