Sheath cleaning: It's not a chore that anyone enjoys, but sheath cleaning is an important part of maintaining your male horse's health. Here's the information you need to know about sheath cleaning and how it relates to your horse.

Why Sheath Cleaning Is Important

When you clean your horse’s sheath, you remove excretions and buildup that he cannot remove himself. Smegma, a combination of excretions and dirt, can build up in your horse’s sheath, causing irritation. Smegma can also mix with skin cells to form a mass called a “bean.” The bean can become lodged at the head of the penis, causing discomfort if not removed.

If your horse’s sheath is not cleaned regularly, he can be at increased risk of contracting infection. A dirty sheath can be irritating and uncomfortable, and if a bean is not removed, it can continue to grow in size. Beans can interfere with your horse’s urination.

Signs Your Horse’s Sheath May Need to Be Cleaned

Most horses need to have their sheaths cleaned between every six and twelve months. Some horses need more regular cleaning. If your horse’s sheath needs to be cleaned, you may notice that he is reluctant to urinate or seems to be in pain. Some horses exhibit colic-like symptoms because of the pain of urinating being caused by a large bean. You may also notice that your horse’s sheath appears swollen.

Tips for Cleaning

When you clean your horse’s sheath, it’s important to move slowly and make sure that your horse is accepting of your touch. Be sure to stand close to his hip to minimize the force of a kick, and proceed slowly.

In some cases, you may want to call your vet to assist with sheath cleaning. Some horses are highly sensitive and will not allow their owners to touch their sheaths; in cases like this, sedation may be necessary for sheath cleaning. Additionally, some horses with particularly large beans may need to be sedated so that the bean can be completely removed.

When you clean your horse’s sheath, use a gentle sheath cleanser. Only use as much cleanser as you need – this will minimize the amount that you will have to rinse out. You can do this in a wash bay or just make sure that you have warm water at hand, and thoroughly rinse the sheath once you are finished cleaning. Leaving soap or other residue inside the sheath can cause irritation.

While sheath cleaning isn’t an enjoyable chore, it’s an important one. Cleaning your horse’s sheath regularly can help to keep him in good health.

Original Source:Sheath Cleaning: A Necessary Chore