Sheath cleaning - opinions please!

[Adoni123]

Hello all

Got my new gelding last week. He has a dental booked in next week and thought while we were there we’d get a sheath clean. When I spoke to the old owners they said they don’t do sheath cleans and just leave it.

Now I’m not sure what to do! Always been brought up to think a sheath clean should be done once per year. When he’s dropped he looks extremely clean which shocked me! Much cleaner than others who have had a sheath clean in the last year when he definitely hasn’t been done for at least 5!

Thinking he has all the healthy bacteria required to help him clean and maybe best to just leave him and obviously monitor for any swellings and such like I would with any other horse? Just don’t want to disturb the natural process if it’s working!

Opinions appreciated!

 

[mini_b]

If he looks clean then leave it.
Unless there’s something to suggest he might be experiencing pain urinating or remotely irritated up there in any way (and then I’d get vet out to do a proper check over anyway)

It’s meant to be self cleaning and putting oils and soaps up there can mess with the natural flora. sometimes I give the sheath a swish out with water if we’ve been up to our proverbials in mud.
when he’s dropped out, if there’s any bits hanging off I just peel them off.

Each to their own but don’t feel it’s something that we would start doing personally

 

[TPO]

I get a sheath cleaner out once a year.

Cleaning the outside is fine but I'm clueless about the "bean" and dont fancy fiddling about trying to figure it out

This time around the externally cleanest sheath had the biggest bean so I dont think that is a great indicator of anything.

I just figure even the tiniest of beans must be quite uncomfortable?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I never wash either of my 2 up there! One gets crusty bits hanging of it sometimes but I just brush them off he seems to quite like it lol

 

[planete]

I think it is a good idea to check for a bean when possible to prevent problems. Get vet to show you how.

 

[AmyMay]

I never wash either of my 2 up there! One gets crusty bits hanging of it sometimes but I just brush them off he seems to quite like it lol

Same here. Except I’d have a little pick ??. Strangely satisfying ??

Seriously op, if it’s clean, leave well alone.

 

[asmp]

I’ve posted this before here it is again:


Owned horse for over 10 years but never cleaned his sheath. Had the ‘Bean Lady’ out and this is what she found -

 

[mini_b]

I’ve posted this before here it is again:


Owned horse for over 10 years but never cleaned his sheath. Had the ‘Bean Lady’ out and this is what she found - View attachment 51821

I’ve seen lots of these whoppers in photos- absolutely horrifying!! did horse give any indicator to discomfort?

 

[ester]

They should at least be checked, it meant that I picked up suspicous lumps very early.

 

[TPO]

Yeah randomly the sheath cleaner that was out said she had just bought a gelding, vetted etc. She was sheath cleaning him and found a tumour. At the time of my appointment she was waiting to take him to the vet hospital for surgery. So yeah it is absolutely worth it to have someone who knows what they are doing and looking for having a feel about up there

 

[shergar]

Facebook EOUINE HYGIENE UK . It is sad what some horses have to live with how uncomfortable they must be .

 

[Archangel]

My old boy is prone to beans so if there is an opportunity to inspect I do. I slap on natural live yoghurt (room temperature) to restore healthy bacteria all over but particularly round the urethra if I have removed a bean.

 

[asmp]

I’ve seen lots of these whoppers in photos- absolutely horrifying!! did horse give any indicator to discomfort?

Not at all. It was only because my daughter saw the Bean Lady was in the area that we decided to use her. Must get her out again!

 

[Gloi]

I'd normally just occasionally given him a wipe round with a baby wipe when grooming but when bathing him in the hot weather last month decided to give him a good check over and found these. I'd not done so before as it has taken a while for him to get used to me rooting about and he pulls it right in. Was quite surprised how big they were - about 2cm across and really tight to get out.
My oldie I checked regularly and he got small ones which were easy to get out but I must say I was ashamed of myself when I found the youngster had grown such big ones. At least I now know he's prone to them so I'll check more often.

 

[Starzaan]

I check all my boys weekly as beans must be agony. They ALL get them, even those who show no signs of discomfort. They all get a swish out with cotton wool and water every month or so, and that keeps them nice and clean. I would rather not be using oils and soaps if I can avoid it but sometimes you get one who just needs it.
I would never leave a sheath alone completely. Beans must be so painful, I would always check for them regularly.

 

[planete]

I use a good slather of aloe vera gel, no soap, water or any cleaning agents whenever it starts looking manky. It keeps things nice and clean and I check for a bean when sedated by vet or feeling naturally dopey. There is always the possibility of infections with mud, flies and hot weather possibly making things worse. I can always get him to let down by working him in hand for five minutes. Strange horse.

 

[shergar]

For anyone who does not know mares also get beans ,regular cleaning between the teats and bean removal will keep your mares comfortable .

 

[Adoni123]

Thanks guys - think I’ll defo get them to check for a bean! Don’t think it need disturbed otherwise ?

 

[MissP]

Tend to do my boy's if he is every sedated as he doesn't drop normally.

 

[Adoni123]

Thanks guys, we checked it and there was nothing there at all