uggh filthy sheath!

[hihosilver]

My ISH has been turned away since November and he is really well except his disgusting sheath!! I have been cleaning it with baby oil but it is thick with black tar stuff! but the real problem is his inside hind legs just below stifle. The black stuff has stuck to his fur and is in clumps that I cant shift, and he gets a bit cross as it must be sore? any ideas how to remove? thanks x

 

[Equi]

You need to stop putting baby oil on him and give him a wash with warm water and some woman wash, then clip the hairs around the sheath area and leave it well alone.

 

[twiggy2]

was it like this before the baby oil?

 

[hihosilver]

was it like this before the baby oil?

Yes he has always had a very dirty sheath.

 

[_HP_]

Is he a good doer?
A dirty sheath and excess smegma can be a sign of EMS (Equine metabolic syndrome).
As above....clean it and then leave well alone to see of the helps. I use something like femfresh well diluted in warm water to wash

 

[hihosilver]

Is he a good doer?
A dirty sheath and excess smegma can be a sign of EMS (Equine metabolic syndrome).
As above....clean it and then leave well alone to see of the helps. I use something like femfresh well diluted in warm water to wash

He is only 5 so would he have EMS? but yes he is a fatty! x

 

[_HP_]

I don't think age comes into it with EMS...anything overweight can be affected
.http://www.thelaminitissite.org/irems.html

 

[hihosilver]

I don't think age comes into it with EMS...anything overweight can be affected
.http://www.thelaminitissite.org/irems.html

Thanks for that, do you think I should get him tested? x

 

[LD&S]

I'd work on getting his weight down, I have heard the tests results aren't very accurate if it's mild but whether he has it or not it wouldn't hurt to get some of his excess weight off, often that is enough if caught early.

 

[Birker2020]

My horse has the same problem at the moment, tarry mess on the inside of his thighs, and swishing sound coming from sheath when ridden.

I am going to see if I can sedate him and then give it all a good clean, although I might get the vet to come out and do it as last time he had a huge bean inside.

You have to be really careful what products you use too, as the PH levels need to be kept the same otherwise you can cause no end of problems.

 

[Zirach]

I have this problem with my boy in the summer. I was advised to use kj jelly (embarrassing to purchase!) as this doesn't interfere with their natural bacteria. Using sheath cleaner can strip the natural oils and bacteria and in fact make the problem worse. I hadn't realised a connection with EMS, my chap isn't over weight but has been in previous years.