sheath cleaning what to use so he does not get sore?

[Turnover]

Hi,

Can anyone help? I have an old horse who gets a very very dirty sheath. Needs cleaning at least once a fortnight, if I leave it any longer he gets maggots and then its a vet bill. Does anyone have any suggestions for a mild soap and then some cream to ensure I don't clean all of the good bacteria away. He is very good and lets me do it no problem but its been worse than ever this year and he is geting sore with all the washing etc.

 

[kerilli]

there's a Sheath Cleaner you can buy... mine's called Excalibur, and i've always found it good. or, i use baby lotion. i'd be worried about it getting maggots though, and using a lot more fly repellent on his tummy, i think... i've never even heard of that. poor boy.

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Hi, got your text, Ill call you later.

As for the sheath, I use Aloe Vera oil on my boys its really good. I just squirt their 'things' when they are out and the oil keeps them clean.

 

[happihorse]

I use this:
http://www.countrywidefarmers.co.uk/pws/ProductDetails.ice?ProductID=2003

I make my hand into a fist and put some cleanser on my knuckles. Then I rub it up into his sheath and leave it to work its magic for a few minutes. I then rinse with a hose and repeat if necessary.

If he lets you clean it while his willy is out you might be able to clean it better.

 

[Turnover]

I cover him in the yellow flystrike cream as recommended by the vet but if I am not careful and keep an eye on him he can get them. I was horrified the first time it happened but according to the vet its quite common and its no reflection on my care of him

 

[Acolyte]

Funny old thing, I was doing this job last night on my boy who is always MINGING and tries to kick me across the box when I touch anything - even though he used to be used at stud

Last time it was two lots of sedative and the job was done by the vet - this time I used Johnsons Baby Oil every time he got it out, that softened all the gunk, and it came off really nicely last night. Plus it obviously wasn't uncomfortable for him as he didn't try and kick me

The only thing was, no-one warned me about the smell of baby oil mixed with - erm - sheath smell - it is truly gross

 

[happihorse]

So do you put the baby oil on after you have cleaned the sheat to stop it getting so bad again? Just wondering, because it may mean I have to do this horrible job less often!

 

[alicedove]

I would go along with the aloe vera you can get some really good natural stuff, which I have found brilliant for washing my "bits" in the shower and then not getting thrush, its a liquid soap in a dispenser bottle.

The aloe vera plant juice that doesn't all rinse off would continue to work for some time after. and it wouldn't sting the poor chap.

It's from "forever living products" liquid soap. Kind of a white bottle with a pump lid, with pale green and pink writing.

 

[alicedove]

here it is!

the liquid soap quite literally, just scroll down a teeny bit

http://www.flp-aloevera.co.uk/acatalog/FLP_Aloe_Vera_UK_Personal_Care_Products_6.html

 

[kerilli]

cripes. i'd better have a better look at my lad, i've never even heard of it.

 

[Michelle73]

My gelding is perv and loves having his sheath cleaned!!!

I use normal soap then give it a good rinse followed by baby oil but it gets a good hosing after exersise with a pressure gun on the hose. He spreads his legs and bears down when I do it - told you he's a perv!

Anyway when I used to have stallions I used go use almond oil or any other carrier oil that you can get from the chemist. But if he's sore I'd go with the Aloe Vera - the Forever Living Products are a good range - used them before and my previous boss used to sell them. I definately recommend a good hosing after exersise thats worked wonders for my horse.

 

[Turnover]

Thanks for all your suggestions I have ordered the aloe vera

Cheers

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

'Barrier' sheath cleaner is used on my lad & it does a good job.

 

[Gorgeous George]

oh no not this subject again! After my 'worried' post yesterday I had a go at George with some warm water this morning, my goodness it was filthy up there! I ended up squirting a load of baby oil up there and I'll try again tomorrow when it's hopefully softened a bit - yuk!