The sheath is a leather tube that protects the horse's penis. Smegma, a lubricating secretion, fills this structure. In nature, a stallion naturally expels smegma through sexual activity, but in a tamed animal this secretion tends to accumulate and form lumps within the sheath. Not all horses suffer from this problem and the need to clean the sheath is widely debated. Whether it's a preventative measure or a follow-up to health problems, after consulting with your vet, you can decide to periodically wash your pet's sheath. This washing should usually be done every six months for neutered specimens and every year for stallions. Remember that the genitals of horses are very delicate and sensitive, so you need to proceed with the utmost caution.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Deciding whether to Wash the Scabbard or Not
Step 1. Understand the benefits
Generally, the arguments in favor of this practice are hygiene and reducing the risk of infection. Bacteria tend to colonize the areas surrounding the smegma. The exact composition of the secretion and the vulnerability to infection varies greatly from specimen to specimen; however, excessive accumulation of smegma can generate irritation and inflammation in any horse. As a physical reaction, the sheath swells, reducing the horse's ability to reproduce, but also simply to urinate. Some owners also claim that too much of this secretion attracts flies, which are carriers of disease.
Step 2. Understand the drawbacks
Many experts claim that the horse's sheath is "self-cleaning", so a manual wash could even be counterproductive and harmful; it could alter the normal physiological system of the animal to the point of damaging the sheath itself. Others believe that it is not necessary to wash the sheath of castrated horses, as this surgery leads to a reduction in the production of smegma.
Step 3. Consult your veterinarian
In the end, regardless of your opinion on the matter, you should always speak and discuss with your pet's vet. When making the decision whether or not to wash your horse's sheath, you absolutely need to consider the individual and specific situation of your dog. Some animals are more likely to produce a lot of smegma and form lumps. This could be the result of some hormonal or glandular disturbances. Some lumps come off naturally, others don't. If not removed they can become dangerous to the point of requiring surgical removal.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare
Step 1. Trim your nails
Try to cut them as short as possible and / or file rough edges. Since the horse's sheath is extremely sensitive, you must avoid any risk of scratching it. Remember that the animal's instinctive reaction to any discomfort in the genital area is to kick and buck, which could be very dangerous for you and the horse itself.
Step 2. Put on thin latex gloves
Don't use thick rubber ones; While it may not be very pleasant to touch the horse's penis, it is essential to maintain the tactile sensation. You need to be able to feel every lump and encrustation of smegma.
Step 3. Ask someone to hold the animal still
He may grab the reins so that the horse is looking in a certain direction. She might even groom him to calm him down while you do the "dirty work". If you have to go it alone, tie the horse securely.
Step 4. Gently rest your free hand on the horse's rump
This way you can feel his movements and move quickly in case he wants to kick. Many owners and veterinarians claim that a horse that trusts you feels reassured by the touch of your hand.
Step 5. Stand close to the animal's forequarters
Staying with your hips and shoulders close to the horse's front legs is safer. Since the animal tends to kick with its rear hooves, it is a good idea to stay out of their range as much as possible.
Step 6. Clean up outdoors
Since you will need a garden hose and must avoid being stepped on, it is best to wash the horse's sheath in a large space, even if it is a large barn. Do not lock yourself with the animal in a small stable, you would not have room to move and turn around.
Part 3 of 3: Clean the Sheath
Step 1. Use a soft sponge to gently wet the sheath and penis
Start from the belly of the animal and move slowly towards the penis, so as not to take the horse by surprise. The water should be at room temperature if possible; if it is too hot or cold it could annoy the animal. Your goal is to drain the dirt and other contaminants found inside the scabbard. At the end of the operation throw away the sponge you used.
Step 2. Use a lubricant
Spread it on your hand and sheath, rely on a specific product, recommended by your vet. To get rid of all traces of smegma and encrustations, you need to lubricate the area. This will also reduce pain / stress to the horse.
Step 3. Remove the dirt from the sheath
Take a soft sponge or cotton swab and gently scrub the outer edge of the crotch sheath. Eliminate all smegma, dirt and foreign bodies that have accumulated. As you scrub, use room temperature water to rinse. Avoid applying too much pressure and being aggressive, move the sponge or pad in small circles across the entire surface of the sheath.
Step 4. With one hand, push back the skin of the scabbard
Try to pull it back as far as you can before inserting your hand. At most, the scabbard can slip 2.5-5cm. In this way, you reduce the sac that forms around the penis and facilitate cleaning operations. Not all horses will allow you to perform this maneuver. However, if you subject your horse to sheath cleansing often enough, he will eventually get used to the feeling and won't resist.
Step 5. Remove the smegma from around the penis with the other hand
It will probably have a color similar to that of rust, but this is completely normal. Dried smegma usually comes off as a skin or in flake-like pieces. Remove as much of it as possible and use plenty of warm water to rinse.
Step 6. Look for smegma granules in the urethra
Insert the little finger into the urethra looking for hard lumps. If you find any, you need to roll them out from the tip of the horse's penis. Some breeders in the mood for humor refer to this procedure as "harvesting the beans," as the lumps look like these legumes. You should be able to feel the granules before you get to insert your finger up to the first knuckle. Lumps of smegma rarely collect deeper but, if this were to happen, a surgical procedure would be required to extract them.
Step 7. Check for anomalies
Check for areas of thickened skin or gray areas where you would expect only pink mucous membranes, make sure there are no lesions. If you notice any of these changes, you should consult with your vet. These abnormalities could be caused by poor intimate hygiene, but they could also be symptoms of other food, bacterial or viral problems.
Step 8. Use a sponge or garden hose to gently rinse the sheath and penis
If you have decided to use a cleanser, be sure to remove all traces of it. Soap residues can cause problems such as skin irritation.
Step 9. Clean up
You've finished the worst part of the job. Use a strong antibacterial soap to wash your hands and forearms several times.
