Cleaning sheath

cptrayes said:
Cleaning sheaths on a regular basis is a very new thing and I suspect it has been driven by marketers wanting to sell a product and get you to part with your money.

I have owned geldings for over 30 years. I've never cleaned a sheath and I have no intention of starting now.
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I Actually have to disagree with you here Cleaning sheaths regularly is not a new thing. We learn t to do it on a regular basis in the 1970's. So its not new as I say .

We used lint warm water and medicated soap
failing that we sedate the horse and the vet does it
Aqueous creme works well as it stops flakes building up and makes cleaning easier.

Not only that but cleaning is a good time to feel for any ab normal lumps or bumbs or other problems inside or on the actual manhood.
In my time I have know 8 horses put down for
infection due to dirty sheath
cancer not found till to late
maggots infestation
other medical problem


bit like having a regular smear < Tho this is not 100% some things not detected with smears till later in problem or to late

or

breast feeling for lumps

 
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I am not sure if this has been mentioned because this has got so long. I've always kept my horses sheaths cleaned and I use warm water and saddle soap.. cheeky little tip from my farrier whos in the household cavalry and said thats why they use. It works.
 
JanetGeorge said:
And anyone who thinks they 'self clean' should see my old stallion at the start of the stud season! I always have a bucket of water with very dilute Hibiscrub and paper towels handy at the teasing wall - so when he gets 'interested' I can grab him and give it a good wash, rinse and dry! After that, he just gets sluiced down with clean warm water before and after!
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As a matter of interest, why do you use Hibiscrub rather than plain liquid soap? The problem with specific anti-bacterial preparations, as you probably know, is that they kill off bacteria which are normally present, which risks subsequent colonisation by other, potentially pathogenic bacteria that shouldn't be there. It may be that, by using very dilute Hibiscrub, there isn't a high enough concentration of chlorhexidine to kill the 'good bacteria' but enough of the soapy vehicle to shift dirt - in which case, you might as well use plain soap anyway! Just curious...
 
Aqueous cream has now been mentioned several times for sheath cleaning.

Recently a doctor posted on HHO warning against the use of aqueous cream on hooves because it dissolves fats in skin and leaves skin thinner. This has been shown in published research and is due to the sodium laureth sulfate that it contains.

There is no way that anyone should be putting SLS on a horse's penis unless it is thoroughly washed off again. IE it's OK to use it as a soap subsitute but NOT as a moisturiser.



The people who tell me sheath cleaning in geldings is not a new thing to them, that is very interesting. I learnt in Hampshire and kept/knew horses in big livery stables in Reading, Bristol and Manchester areas. The first time I ever heard of routine cleaning of a gelding's sheath was on this forum a couple of year's back.
 
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cptrayes said:
Aqueous cream has now been mentioned several times for sheath cleaning.

Recently a doctor posted on HHO warning against the use of aqueous cream on hooves because it dissolves fats in skin and leaves skin thinner. This has been shown in published research and is due to the sodium laureth sulfate that it contains.

There is no way that anyone should be putting SLS on a horse's penis unless it is thoroughly washed off again. IE it's OK to use it as a soap subsitute but NOT as a moisturiser.



The people who tell me sheath cleaning in geldings is not a new thing to them, that is very interesting. I learnt in Hampshire and kept/knew horses in big livery stables in Reading, Bristol and Manchester areas. The first time I ever heard of routine cleaning of a gelding's sheath was on this forum a couple of year's back.
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where I did my BHS exams was a HUGE BHS training centre in Northwood Middlesex in the 80's own By the OLD Family . called PARK FARM sadly been sold on now :( .Was hu-mugest place one event was the Everest Double Glazing indoor school was like Olympia and everest was as big as .We were taught then how often to clean a sheath .

ANY old school remember Park Farm??


parkfarm.jpg


I have a few famous autographs on this schedule I have kept.

As for Aqueous creme which I say my VET told me to use and will continue to use until they tell me not too NOT otherwise, MY lads gentiles have much improved since using this its not for washing its for moisturizing

I have worked-taught competed in over 8 BHS training yards Fulmer Equestrian Center where I did my training for stage 4 was a host for International Velvet yards from london to warlingham , and also livery yards .










.
 
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damn H&H 15 kerfew:mad:


I have worked-taught competed in over 8 BHS training yards + Livery Yards in my time .

Fulmer Equestrian Center where I did my training for stage 4 was a host for the sequel to National Velvet

"International Velvet Film"
 
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xxMozlarxx said:
Probably a good idea to read all the replies before commenting, then you would learn that some horses do need cleaning from time to time..for some it's not necessary but others get very gunky and smelly and can get infected.
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no need to be quite so abrasive.
 
This reminds me, I really must get around to this job - I have been putting it off for a while now! My boy seems almost eager to drop it out to be handled. I did once venture for the hallowed bean and was fascinated to find a rather large bean. It resides in the little pouches (for want of a better word) on the head of the penis around the opening they pee out of (word escapes me). I was surprised to find them, as I hadn't ever had such a close look before.

As long as he has a hay net he lets me get on with it!
 
The livery yard up the lane from me are always faffing about cleaning their horses bits and they are always getting infected!! I on the other hand have never interfered with nature and never had any such problems. I'd leave well alone unless there is an obvious problem.
 
For those in the pro-cleaning camp, may I suggest a (clean) sock-covered hand and warm water (with whatever additive you prefer). The sock allows you to maneouvre around the area yet feel what you are doing and it captures all those interesting bits of smegma hiding in the deepest and darkest places.


For those who prefer to leave nature to its own processes, feel free to ignore the above.
 
They do sometimes need cleaning. My pony got a pus on his willy because I did not realise this -had geldings for many years and no problems before.

The vet came and sedated him as pony tried to kick vet when he looked at it, and got the vet student to clean my pony's willy. He then said if his willy got stinky then it needed cleaning and to just use warm water, sheath cleaners and such like upset the balance and can make it worse.

My pony gets his willy out a lot and does not mind my cleaning it and I just give him a haynet and then do it using warm water. I only do it when it gets stinky as it attracts the flies.

Even more discusting is that YO's dog likes to come along and eat all the black stuff that comes out when I clean it!
 
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However you feel about pros and cons of sheath washing and products, please check for a 'bean'.

I used to clean my gelding's sheath maybe about once or twice a year, but I didn't know to investigate for a 'bean'!

Then last summer he started kicking up at his belly as if something was REALLY irritating him. Worries of colic, stringhalt etc etc followed - then I found out about the build of grease around the urethra known as a bean.

After giving a feed, long groom and a bit of sedalin and he let me gently remove it with my fingers.

Now I check for this whenever he dangles! This is one that came out this spring.
 
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fburton said:
I had forgotten about this thread.

JanetGeorge, I'd be interested to hear your take on Hibiscrub.
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Hibiscrub is very useful for all sorts of cleaning jobs (after all, it is used by surgeons to 'scrub up' in many hospitals.' It's strength is that it is broad spectrum AND that it does penetrate the top layer of skin (so very useful for things like mud fever, the pustules you sometimes get on the back under the saddle area caused by dirt working it's way in under the skin from a dirty numnah, etc.) However, you DO have to remember it is very 'drying' and it should be used only when absolutely necessary - NOT routinely. And it MUST be rinsed off thoroughly after use!

ETA - I prefer it to normal soap as it isn't 'soapy' - so easier to rinse off! And it shifts grease better!
 
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JanetGeorge said:
Hibiscrub is very useful for all sorts of cleaning jobs (after all, it is used by surgeons to 'scrub up' in many hospitals.' It's strength is that it is broad spectrum AND that it does penetrate the top layer of skin (so very useful for things like mud fever, the pustules you sometimes get on the back under the saddle area caused by dirt working it's way in under the skin from a dirty numnah, etc.) However, you DO have to remember it is very 'drying' and it should be used only when absolutely necessary - NOT routinely. And it MUST be rinsed off thoroughly after use!
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Agreed. So, contraindicated for routine willy-cleaning because of its bacteriocidal properties? The idea being that one doesn't want to kill off the normal bacterial flora lest the pathological bacteria colonize instead. Of course, once the 'bad' bacteria have invaded then Hibiscrub could be quite useful - but then you would be obliged to make washing with it a regular (and possibly frequent) event.
 
Leviathan said:


As for Aqueous creme which I say my VET told me to use and will continue to use until they tell me not too NOT otherwise, MY lads gentiles have much improved since using this its not for washing its for moisturizing.
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I'm not disputing your experience of aqueous cream is a positive one...

But it does contain sodium lauryl sulphate which is a chemical surfactant or detergent... It is more likely to be recommended that it be used as a soap and not a moisturiser as the high level of SLS (for a stay on product) was found to thin skin...

SLS can be very irritating on sensitive skin...
 
I don't clean, but then I don't own. As far as I'm aware the horse I ride doesn't get cleaned out at all. I doubt I'd clean a horse down there unless I needed to for a medical reason.

One thing I will say about aqueous cream though, if you use it on chapped, open or delicate skin it'll bring tears to your eyes. Horrendous burning sensation. I don't think I'd ever consider using it on the delicate, fleshy skin around a horse's penis.

Horses for courses regarding cleaning the thing though :)
What's the mare equivalent? Wiping the teats? I've never done that either :p
 
One NHS trust I worked for issued aqueous cream as hand lotion, and I find it very effective on my dry hands!
The Obs/gynae docs where I work now use Hibitane for examining ladies, so would think it may be safe for horse's willys? Although the warnings on the bottle do include "avoid contact with brain" which always makes me grin! :)
 
I have owned horses for nearly 30 years, and until owning my current gelding, never cleaned "up there" at all and never noticed a problem. However, Vinnie does get smelly and irritated - when it needs doing, he won't walk out properly and stamps his feet as if at flies. Once the worst of the gunk has been removed, he is happy again. Never found a bean though and only ever use warm water. I think I have only had to do it 4 or 5 times in 7 years and have never noticed smegma on his legs.

However, I was living in Spain at the time, with very sandy, dry soil and obviously, very hot. He has been in the UK now since November with my sister. As far as I am aware, since then she has not had to clean him out once. Maybe the heat and dry soil just exagerated the problem?
 
I haven't read all the replies so am probably repeating what others have said but the noise when riding (high blowing) is totally normal. If the penis/sheath is smelly or there is black sticky discharge on the legs then the sheath will need cleaned before the flies come out in the summer - anyone who has witnessed a sheath full of maggots will back me up! I personally stear clear of the sheath cleaning preparations and opt for a soap free soap such as 'Simple' to avoid any reaction and make sure you rinse well. With regards getting hold of the thing sedalin gel is great but takes an age to work, injectable sedation (Domosedan or equivalent) is very reliable or you could go for the quick grab and hold on method! Whatever floats your (and your geldings) boat!
 
mainpower said:
... so a lady's normal internal bacterial flora wouldn't be upset? :confused:
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I don't know - I'm not an expert. Not sure the two situations are comparable though if one is washed frequently and the other isn't (which was kind of the point). Also, the ease with which the "parts" recolonize with normal microflora may differ. All I know is that repro vets caution against aggressive and/or frequent cleaning of stallions. I can dig out a reference for that if you like.
 
I disagree with cleaning sheaths. The only horse on the yard that has any trouble (smeg down his legs) is the only one that came from a big posh comp yard and had it cleaned once a week. I have almost given in on a couple of occasions and cleaned it, but decided to leave it. Now, after one year of being here, he does not get the smeg down his legs and is a happy boy. So I say leave well alone. Also I would NEVER us baby oil, or any oil in a sheath. If you need to lubricate you should use KY jelly or similar. Baby oil is very bad for sheaths! It creates more smeg and is an irritant. It is designed for external use only on EXTERNAL skin.
 
fburton said:
I don't know - I'm not an expert. Not sure the two situations are comparable though if one is washed frequently and the other isn't (which was kind of the point). Also, the ease with which the "parts" recolonize with normal microflora may differ. All I know is that repro vets caution against aggressive and/or frequent cleaning of stallions. I can dig out a reference for that if you like.
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No, a ref not needed, I personally have heard enough warnings against hibiscrub not to use it, either on myself or my horses. I'm a "picker" ;) rather than a washer where my boys' willies are concerned. Just thought that if Hibitane was suitable for internal examinations of pregnant ladies (and I know that we shouldn't be douching our insides because it upsets the delicate balance of flora) that it may not be harmful for the horse.

My older horse has always had a very large sheath, but always cold to touch. For years I had simply coated my hands with baby oil and ran them down his penis when it was out, from time to time, to loosen and remove gunk. But when I read on here about beans I thought I'd investigate, and set out to clean it with a sheath cleaner. I didn't find a bean! But the next day his sheath had shrunk to normal proportions, and I felt guilty that I hadn't properly cleaned it before. However, two days later it had swollen so much that he looked like he had a pair of rugby balls dangling between his legs which were red hot, and he could hardly walk. So I won't be cleaning it again!
 
dazedandconfused said:
I haven't read all the replies so am probably repeating what others have said but the noise when riding (high blowing) is totally normal.......!
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High blowing is the loud "snorty" noise heard on expiration in some horses at faster paces. It's caused by vibration in the nostril. The oink from the sheath is something totally different! :)
 
Years ago, I worked for a well known showing rider who is also a dealer. Most of the horses we got in were geldings and a lot from Ireland - as the 'junior', it was always my job to clean their sheaths. I used to arm myself with a rubber surgical glove, a bucket of warm water and some natural sheath cleanser and get on with it.

Some hated it, some were indifferent and some loved it so much the yard sounded like the set of a porn film! Most embarassing when clients happened to walk around the corner and assumed you were performing some kind of weirdo performing sexual favours on the horse!!

My last horse was always clean and tidy so I never did more than give it a quick blast with the hose - at which point he'd tuck himself up and look horrified! To be fair if somebody squirted cold water on my lady bits, I'd probably have the same reaction!
 
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