Dirty Sheath.. does this sound normal??

Firewell

Firewell

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 May 2008
Messages
7,817
Visit site
I havent had a gelding for a while, most of my horses have been mares!!! So bare with me lol.

I was checking ginger ponies private parts for midges and I noticed while peering up his sheath that there were a lot of hard black bits, it looked like a colony of black ridges..
His willy is clean when he gets it out to go to the toilet but his sheath looked really odd and it was a bit smelly...

I spoke to the vet and they said to clean it with warm water and very mild diluted hibiscrub to stop infection. They said to use a small sponge and to gently prise the bits off..

I must say I got my mum to do it (shes good at these things ;) ) and she dove up there. Now whats up there is rock solid and massive massive black lumps welded in his sheath. The main lump was so big it was the size of a small fist :(. That doesnt sound normal does it???

My mum managed to prise quite a lot out with her fingers and some of the lumps that fell out had blood on them where they had been attached to his skin :( :(

Pony bless him, is such a star and apart from lifting his back leg a few times he put up with it really well.

My mum couldnt do it all as we didnt want to make him sore so we will try again in a few days. There are still some big bits left and we hadnt even found his willy, he had hid that!

Are we doing the right thing? The lumps were just so big and so hard, its got me a bit worried. It was like his whole sheath was blocked, its a wonder he could put his willy in and out :(. Should we use a bit of vasaline to prise off the really stubborn bits next time?

Will he have been uncomfortable with that up there? He doesnt seem to have problems going to the toilet at all.

Do you think the vet should have a look at it?
 
lots and lots of baby oil.. and gloves, you can get the vet to clean him if you want, but aslong as youre not too squeemish its just something that sometimes has to be done :)
 
Some geldings certainly have very dirty sheaths! I never used to clean them (believing natural is best etc.) but one of my boys is really bad and one summer I found maggots up there! They now all get cleaned twice a year. Personally, I would use sheath cleaner not hibiscrub as it is designed for the job and loosens everyting up nicely. I find hibi a bit harsh and you have to rinse it really well. You just shove the sheath cleaning gel up there, leave for 5 mins then rinse/sponge clean.

Edited to add- I understand your confusion, I got my first mare last year and found it very strange with all the different bits!
 
My boy is the same, lots of black smegma, isn't it lovely.... Lol! Sounds like you've done better than me, I've tried a couple of times but definitely not got all of it out. It's very natural, just a build up from where they can't really clean themselves. I don't think you're meant to do it too often but a good clean out once or twice a year is meant to be a good thing :)
 
Ah ok, we will keep at it :)

Baby oil, hadnt thought of that, will try that :)

Will sheath cleaner be ok on the raw bits? the bits that bled?
 
Hi, my dwb has the most gross sheath. He needs it cleaning at least every month. I use sheath cleaner, as the other poster said, put it on liberally, leave it a while and use warm water and cotton wool to wash off. You really should not be getting blood, that means you have torn the skin to which the smegma is attached and that is ripe for infection. The dried smegma can be very sharp so great care is needed. On the other side of the coin, my Friesian x gelding has never had his sheath cleaned, he simply would not allow it!
 
Mine is the same, not helped by him rubbing his belly and filling it with mud.

What I do is to stick the hose up it, give it a good rinse out for about a minute (not on high jet!!!) and leave the black to soften, then hose it again or you can use a very well cleaned out washing up bottle with warm water when it is cold. Do this several times and then have a gentle rub round to get the lumps out, squirt again and keep going with a gentle rub and rinse until it is all out.

I prefer to use only water so I remove dirt, but leave the natural bacteria in place. I would not use hibiscrub - it can be very harsh. You can use a sheath cleanser to soften it or KY jelly is also good.

Finally, if he will let you, have a look for a bean. Basically a hard cheese like lump which are in the small hole (pockets) either side of the pee tube. If these are large, you may need a vet to sedate and remove. If you don't know what a bean is and how to get it out, get the vet to have a look and show you next time they are out.

My gelding is fine with me doing this, I remove small beans every few months from Stinky's willy, but some will object, especially if they are large. First ones I found were when he was 2 1/2 and they were large - 1/2" long and took a fair bit of gentle squeezing to get them to pop out - had Stinky not been such an angel, this would have been a vet job. When they are small, they are easy to do.

Lovely subject, I far prefer mares, one quick wipe and done.
 
same filthy creature, he gets really bad in that gullet bit behind the sheath as well, black bits I have to pull off

have to say I find red rum sheath cleaner fantastic and smells delish it seems to mask his stinky dinky anyway for a bit
 
Thanks for replies.

I used hibiscrub as recommended by vet and im quite glad I did as there was a slight red tinge on the bits that came off and hopefully that will kill off any bacteria. It was very very diluted :)

TBH im guessing he hasnt ever had it cleaned or at least not for a long while. Ive only had him 4 months. The lumps need getting out or they would have become even harder and make him even more sore?! We pulled them off very gently and he didnt object, in fact he didnt even notice! We stopped when he started to lift his leg.

Now we are starting afresh I will get some of that red sheath cleaner for next time although im hoping it wont need doing for a while after this!!

Vaseline or baby oil is a brilliant idea for softening it, I hadnt thought of that!

Thanks for replies, I was a bit worried but it seems its normal :)
 
I've never cleaned my boys in 2 years :-0... In my defence, he's never smelly, its never swollen and to be honest, I think any interference with his 'man bits' would result in a free flight across the yard! I had to leave him with a giant pair of woolly knickers over the winter as he refused to entertain the clippers anywhere near them - the expression on his face being somewhere between

A)utter mortification that I'd have the audacity to even peep at his man bits and
B) shock horror that I'd considered putting the nasty growly fur removing object to whip off said furry knickers!!

I'm also scarred for life as when i worked in a dealers yard, it was my job to clean all the gelding's sheaths - generally just as clients turned up, all sniggering at me in my marigolds armed with a trusty bottle of sheath cleanser. If they kept the 'mouse in the house' so to speak i could deal with the embaressment but if they stuck it out (and even worse, waved it around!), oh dear... :-0
 
Sheath Cleaning without Fuss



Step 1:

Check to make sure there are no prospective boyfriends, elderly neighbours, 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.

Step 2:

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

Step 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.

Step 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.


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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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 an 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.

Step 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.

Step 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...

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...

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 :D
 
Lol!! I did *think* about telling my OH the ummm.. Days events but thought better of it. I do still want him to fancy me!!! :D
 
Cleaning my old boy's nether regions felt very very wrong as he clearly enjoyed it wayyyyy too much. He'd start rocking back and forth if I took too long about it:eek::o:eek: Luckily new (well I've had him 5 years!) lad hates it and I prefer it that way. He gets done once a year when he's sedated for clipping:cool:
 
good god if i started groping spotty lad hed positively launch me into orbit i think.
He dropped it for me the other day when i was plaiting him up and i took the opportunity to give it a squirt with some baby oil and even then he was outraged and mortally offended at the very act.
x
 
WelshMisfit - I'm just catching up with Forum stuff in my lunch hour at work and have just spat the remains of an egg mayo sandwich all over my computer after reading that!!!

I'm sure colleagues think I'm crying as my shoulders keep shaking and odd snorting noises keep emitting from me as I try desperately to stop myself laughing out loud :-)

Utterly brilliant! And very useful too :-)
 
Phil had this problem. i'd never really cleaned his, no need to as he was fine, but last summer I saw him straining for a wee. He's generally very well mannered so when I went to check it out and he tried taking my head off of my shoulders I knew something was up. two sedations, a vet clean and a whole lot of antibiotics later :rolleyes: :o

The next time the vet came down he had the same but luckily no infection this time.

It isn't the black bits that cause the problem, it's the bean that lodges itself :( Luckily now I can clean it with minimal fuss, but it's a bit odd because he won't drop his willy so I have to delve right in, almost up to my elbow :o
 
So with baby oil is it really just a case of covering it in the stuff and leaving the baby oil to do its work? no washing off??
I never had to do my previous gelding but i am gonna have to do my new horse! he does not do sprays, prodding, poking, fussing etc and im not sure what he would make of having a hose stuck up there so baby oil if its a case of smther it in the stuff and leave it really would prob be the best option!
 
Theresa_F said:
Mine is the same, not helped by him rubbing his belly and filling it with mud.

What I do is to stick the hose up it, give it a good rinse out for about a minute (not on high jet!!!) and leave the black to soften, then hose it again or you can use a very well cleaned out washing up bottle with warm water when it is cold. Do this several times and then have a gentle rub round to get the lumps out, squirt again and keep going with a gentle rub and rinse until it is all out.

I prefer to use only water so I remove dirt, but leave the natural bacteria in place. I would not use hibiscrub - it can be very harsh. You can use a sheath cleanser to soften it or KY jelly is also good.

Finally, if he will let you, have a look for a bean. Basically a hard cheese like lump which are in the small hole (pockets) either side of the pee tube. If these are large, you may need a vet to sedate and remove. If you don't know what a bean is and how to get it out, get the vet to have a look and show you next time they are out.

My gelding is fine with me doing this, I remove small beans every few months from Stinky's willy, but some will object, especially if they are large. First ones I found were when he was 2 1/2 and they were large - 1/2" long and took a fair bit of gentle squeezing to get them to pop out - had Stinky not been such an angel, this would have been a vet job. When they are small, they are easy to do.

Lovely subject, I far prefer mares, one quick wipe and done.
Click to expand...

OMG we found a bean on one of our old boys recently! It was quite large and crusty but I managed to get it all out after 3 attempts over a period of time, utterly gross and he must have been so uncomfortable bless him. Now I know it was a bean and he is not alone lol
 
Just a quick thought, but if you are getting blood when these black bits are coming off, and there is a big lump on his sheath, are you sure its not a sarcoid?
 
WelshMisfit - That is just brilliant!! Had to hold in laughing! :D

I'm not looking forward to this bean business, didn't know about it until this thread!! Luckily my boy is very happy for me to clean his sheath and such, but how do you get the bean if he won't get his willy out? Can you get to it in the sheath??
 
Kub said:
WelshMisfit - That is just brilliant!! Had to hold in laughing! :D

I'm not looking forward to this bean business, didn't know about it until this thread!! Luckily my boy is very happy for me to clean his sheath and such, but how do you get the bean if he won't get his willy out? Can you get to it in the sheath??
Click to expand...

When you feel deeper inside the sheath everything should drop away (like your hand going into a tunnel then a hole :o And from there you should be able to reach up and find his penis, there tends to be a told of skin over the bean and it can be awkward, luckily Phil tends to just get a small bit of white gunk rather than a fully formed bean.
 
xRobyn - you may have just answered my question but I'll check because I think it'll help MickeyMoo lol!

I checked my boy's willy last night as he had it out. I *think* I found the bean. Now, it wasn't actually in the end of the uretha, but in the fold of skin around the end. I kinda pushed it back and there is was. Now just want to check that this is the 'bean' everyone has been talking about?

Coz I'm guessing that if this got big, it would push against the uretha pipe and close it, meaning they can't pee??

Clarification would be much appreciated lol! :D
 
Sounds like it KUB :D I'm hoping I haven't got it wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's what it is. It's much easier to remove if the horse helps out by dropping out of the sheath :p

Yep, Phils bean tends to be under that 'flap' (Although it's thicker than a flap lol) rather than in front of the actual urethra.

And yep, it ends up blocking the urethra and causes urination problems. Symptoms I saw with Phil were that he wasn't actually straining but he wee'd about 5 times in the space of 2 hours and they were all very short. The colour and smell was the same but it was like he couldn't get a 'proper' wee out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top