Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Decide whether to clean the sheath
• Part 2 of 3: The preparation
• Part 3 of 3: Cleaning the sheath
• Necessities

The sheath is a piece of skin that protects the horse's penis. The inside of the sheath is filled with smegma or a lubricant. In the wild, a horse would naturally get rid of this fluid by having sex, but in a domesticated environment, the fluid tends to build up, forming clumps in the horse's sheath. Not every horse has this problem, and there is no consensus on whether or not cleaning the sheath is necessary. You can decide, after consultation with the vet, to periodically clean your horse's sheath, be it preventive or reactive. Normally the sheath of a gelding (a neutered male horse) is cleaned at least every 6 months, the sheath of a stallion (an uncastrated male) is cleaned once a year. A male horse's genitalia is very sensitive, so you need to proceed carefully.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Decide whether to clean the sheath

1. Understand the benefits. In general, the arguments for cleaning the sheath are mainly focused on hygiene and reducing the risk of infection. Bacteria tend to build up around the smegma. The exact nature of the fluid and the likelihood of infection vary from horse to horse. In any case, the accumulated fluid can cause irritation and inflammation in any horse. The sheath can then swell, hindering the horse's ability to reproduce, or even urinate. Some owners argue that the presence of too much smegma even attracts flies, which carry disease.
2. Understand the drawbacks. Many experts state that a horse's sheath cleans itself, and hand washing can potentially be harmful. It can disrupt your horse's normal psychological system and you could injure the sheath while cleaning. Others argue that it is not necessary to wash a gelding because they are neutered and the natural production of smegma is therefore reduced.
3. Consult with the vet. In any case, you should discuss the topic with the vet no matter which side of the debate supports you. When it comes to deciding whether or not to clean your horse's sheath, you need to consider the situation - your particular horse. Some horses are more susceptible to smegma build-up and clumping. This could be the result of problems with the glands or hormones. Some lumps come off naturally and others don't. The latter can become particularly dangerous if left untreated and may need to be surgically removed.

Part 2 of 3: The preparation

1. Trim your nails. Cut them as short as possible and / or file away any sharp edges. Since a horse's sheath is very sensitive, you should eliminate the possibility of your horse scratching. Remember, kicking and bucking will be your horse's instinctual response to discomfort in its genital area, which could result in serious injury to both you and the horse.
2. Put on thin, latex gloves. Do not use thick, rubber wash gloves. This may feel inappropriate, but it is much more important that you maintain your agility. You should be able to feel any smegma and lump build-up.
3. Ask someone to help you hold your horse. He can hold the reins, which will keep the horse standing in one direction. He can also brush the horse to calm him down while you complete the task. When you are alone, tie the horse securely and securely.
4. Place your free hand gently on the horse's back. This will help keep an eye on the horse's movements so that you can quickly get out of the way if your horse decides to kick. Many horse owners and veterinarians further state that this will make a horse that trusts you more comfortable.
5. Stand by the front of the horse. It's safest to stand with your hips and shoulders near the horse's front legs. Since horses kick with their hind legs, it is good to stay away from them as far as possible.
6. Run the task in an open area. Since you need a hose and don't want to be trampled, it is good to clean your horse's sheath in an open area, perhaps in the barn. Don't push yourself and your horse into a small stable, you have nowhere to go.

Part 3 of 3: Cleaning the sheath

1. Use a soft sponge and hose to gently wet the sheath and penis. Start on the stomach and then work your way up to the penis so that your horse is not surprised. If possible, use room temperature water. Hot and cold water can be uncomfortable for the horse. The goal here is to rinse off dirt and other substances from the outside of the sheath. Discard the used sponge when you are done.
2. Uses lubricant. Put lubricant on your hand and on the sheath, use KY jelly or a commercial cleaner for cleaning the sheath. To remove the smegma and any lumps, lubricate the area with lubricant. This will also make the process less stressful / painful for the horse.
3. Wipe off any debris on the sheath. Take a soft sponge or a cotton ball and then gently wipe the edge of the sheath. Remove any smegma, dirt, and other foreign materials that have built up there. Use room temperature water to rinse while wiping. Don't wipe too hard. Move the sponge or cotton ball in small circles as you move around the edge.
4. Gently push back the horse's sheath with one hand. The sheath will slide back a maximum of 2.5-5 cm. This reduces the size of the pouch that forms around the penis, making cleaning easier. Not all horses allow you to do this. If you do it often enough, your horse will get used to the sensation and will not struggle.
5. Remove the smegma from around the penis with your other hand. It will likely have a rusty color. This is normal. The smegma (dried secretion) will usually crumble in your hand. Remove as much as possible and use plenty of lukewarm water to rinse.
6. Check for lumps (sticky smegma) in the urethra. Stick your little finger into the urethra and feel for a hard lump. If there is one, try to slowly roll it out of the tip of the penis. Some people call this harvesting. You should feel it before the first joint of your finger is in it. There are hardly ever lumps deeper than this and if so, they will need to be surgically removed.
7. Check for deviations. Check for thickened skin, gray skin in areas that are normally pink and for cuts. If you see any of these things, you should contact your vet. They can be the result of improper care of the genitalia, but can also be symptoms of other diet, bacteria or virus related problems.
8. Use a sponge to gently rinse the vagina and penis. If you used soap, make sure to rinse off all of the soap. Remaining soap residue can cause problems, for example skin irritation.
9. Clean yourself. You just did a dirty job. Use a strong anti-bacterial soap to wash your hands and forearms several times.

Necessities

• A male horse
• Latex gloves
• Bucket of water and soft sponge or water hose
• Warm water, about body temperature
• Soap for cleaning the sheath (if necessary). Options are Excalibur (a gel that can be quite cold, so warm it up before applying), mild shampoo without dyes and fragrances or Ivory soap.