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Disclaimer: The information on this page is to be used as a guideline.  Some information comes from SHG Members, while other information comes from internet sources.  You are advised to always contact your veterinarian regarding any health issues.  The officers and members of the SmallestHorse Group are not responsible for the content.

Sheath Cleaning

Submitted by:  Leslie and Tony Cunningham (TLC Miniatures)

Since foaling season is now upon us, that means breeding season is right around the corner, so I thought everyone might like to take a light-hearted look at that job we all look forward to.....

Part 1: About Sheath Cleaning...

First, we need to discuss a few things that are necessary prior to cleaning your horse's sheath. We all know that it isn't the most pleasant experience, but it is essential to your horse's health! Therefore, it must be done regularly.

What is "smegma"?

Smegma, also known as “stud cheese”, is a collection of dirt and excretions that builds up inside the sheath and must be removed for the sake of the horse's health. It is not the most pleasant thing to do, but it is essential. If you don't or can't do this, you should have your veterinarian clean your horse's sheath at least every 6 months. What is a "bean"?   A firm lump of smegma that has collected & hardened inside the horse's penis. This lump or "bean" must be removed as often as possible. It can cause serious pain to your horse. There have been thousands of cases where the bean is overlooked by the owner and becomes so large that the horse can no longer urinate...which may also cause other problems due to blockage.

What cleaning products should you use?

1. Soap: K-Y jelly, Excalibur soap, betadine soap, or other mild soap such as Ivory. The choice of soap is entirely yours. However, if you horse is afraid of the hose/baths, you can leave off the rinsing step only if you use K-Y jelly and no other type of soap. The K-Y jelly will allow you to slide off most of the debris and smegma from inside your horse's sheath without the use of water. If you use betadine soap or other mild soap, be sure to rinse the entire area completely. If a soapy residue is left behind, it can irritate and dry out the area.
2. Latex Gloves: You will also need a pair of Latex gloves (lubricated extremely well) if you want your hands to stay fairly clean. If not, you will have to lubricate your hands and wash them well when you are done. You may have to stop while cleaning to add more lubrication to your hands or gloves.

How do you get your horse's penis to extract?

1. You can reach into the sheath, grasp the penis lightly and gently ease it out, or rub along the sheath in the area between the sheath and penis to get it to drop. (This area is shown as "B" in the diagram below).
2. You can tranquilize the horse. Once tranquilized, the penis usually becomes relaxed enough to extract on its own. However, this method is not recommended unless supervised by a veterinarian.

One of the most important things to remember when cleaning your horse's sheath, is to be patient and gentle. Don't be in a rush. Never be rough with your horse's genitals, or you may end up injured. If he hasn't been taught to accept humans handling his genital area, it is very important that you teach him. He will have to periodically have his genitals cleaned throughout his entire life.

A: Where you will find the 'bean'.
B: Inside the sheath area.
 
Part 2: THE CLEANING PROCESS...

1. Check to make sure there are no prospective boyfriends, elderly neighbors, or Brownie troops with a line of sight to the proceedings. Though of course they're probably going to show up unexpectedly ANYWAY once you're in the middle of things. Prepare a good explanation.
   
   
2. Trim your fingernails short. Assemble horse, hose, and your sense of humor (plus, ideally, Excalibur cleanser and perhaps thin rubber or latex gloves).
   
   
3. Use hose (or damp sponge) to get the sheath and its inhabitant wet. Uh, that is, do this in a *civilized* fashion with due warning to the horse; he is apt to take offense if an icy-cold hose blasts unexpectedly into his personal regions ;-)  DO NOT use any type of power nozzle unless you have experienced same from your visit to a sadistic GYN and find it an acceptable method of cleansing things.
   
   
4. Now introduce your horse to Mr. Hand. What I find safest is to stand facing the horse's head, with my shoulder and hip snugly against the horse's thigh and hip so that if he makes any suspicious move such as raising his leg, I can feel it right away and am in any case pressed so close that all he can do is shove, not really kick. The horse should be held by an assistant or by your free hand, NOT tied fast to a post or to crossties. He may shift around a good bit if he's not happy with Mr. Hand's antics, but don't be put off by that; as long as you are patient and gradual, and stick close to his side, he'll get over it. Remember that it would be most unladylike of you to simply make a direct grab for your horse's Part. Give the horse a clue about what's on the program. Rest your hand against his belly, and then slide it back till you are entering The Home of the Actual Private Part. When you reach this first region of your destination, lube him up good with Excalibur or whatever you're using. If the outer part of his sheath is really grungy you will feel little clods and nubblies of smegma peeling off as you grope around in there. Patiently and gently expedite their removal.
   
   
5. Thus far, you have probably only been in the outer part of the sheath. The Part Itself, you'll have noticed, is strangely absent. That's because it has retired shyly to its inner chambers. Roll up them thar sleeves and bravely follow in after it. J
   
   
6. As you and Mr. Hand wend your way deeper into the sheath, you will encounter what feels like a small portal that opens up into a chamber beyond. Being attentive to your horse's reaction, invite yourself in. You are now in the inner sanctum of The Actual Private Part. It's hiding in there towards the back, trying to pretend it isn't there. Say “hi” and wave to it. No, really, work your finger back and forth around the sides of it. If the horse won't drop, this is your only shot at removing whatever dried smegma is clinging to the surface of The Part itself. So, gently explore around it, pulling out whatever crusty topsoil you find there. Use more water and more Excalibur if necessary to loosen attached gunk.
   
   
7. When Mr. Hand and The Actual Private Part have gotten to know each other pretty well, and The Part feels squeaky clean all around, there remains only one task: checking for, and removing, the bean. The bean is a pale, kidney-shaped accumulation of smegma in a small pouch just inside the urethra. Not all horses accumulate a bean, but IME the majority do, even if they have no visible external smegma.
   
   
8. So: the equine urethra is fairly large diameter, and indeed will permit you to very gently insinuate one of your slimmer fingers inside the urethral opening. Do so, and explore upwards for what will feel like a lump or "pea" buried no more than, I dunno, perhaps ¾" in from the opening. If you do encounter a bean, gently and sympathetically persuade it out with your finger. This may require a little patience from BOTH Mr. Hand AND the horse, but the horse will be happier and healthier once it's accomplished. In the rare event that the bean is too enormous for your finger to coax out, you might try what I did (in desperation) last month on the orange horse: Wrap thumb and index finger around the end of The Part and squeeze firmly to extrude the bean. Much to my surprise it worked and orange horse did NOT kill me for doing it and he does not seem to have suffered any permanent damage as a result. I’ve never in my life seen another bean that enormous, though! 
   
   
9. Now all that's left to do is make a graceful exit and rinse the area very thoroughly in apology for the liberties you've taken. A hose will be MUCH easier to use here than just a sponge and bucket, IME. Make sure to direct the water into The Part's inner retreat too, not merely the outer part of the sheath. This may require you to enfold the end of the hose in your hand and guide it up there personally.
10. Ta-da, you are done! Say, "Good horsie" and feed him lots of carrots. Watch him make funny faces at the way your hands smell. Hmmm. Well, perhaps there is ONE more step...
    
    
11. The only thing I know of that is at all effective in removing the lovely fragrance of smegma from your hands (fingernails-arms-elbows & wherever else it's gotten) is Excalibur. Even then, if you didn't use gloves you may find you've got an unusual personal perfume for a while. So, word to the wise, do NOT clean your horse's sheath just before an important job interview or first date, and of course, there is that one FINAL step...  
    
    
12. Figure out how to explain all this to your mother (or the kid from next door, or the meter reader, or whoever else you've just realized has been standing in the barn doorway speechlessly watching the entire process.)

Now, go thou forth and clean that Part J