How to Wash a Stallion's or Gelding's Sheath

By eHow Pets Editor

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Washing a gelding's or stallion's sheath is necessary about twice a year. Dirt collects above the penis opening, blocking the urethra. This can make urination difficult. Sometimes a horse will be made so uncomfortable by a dirty penis he will kick at his belly or rub his tail against the wall.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Tube Sock
Blankets
Garden Hoses And Attachments
Pail
Mild Soap
Rubber Gloves
Horse Shampoo
Sweat Scrapers

Step1

Wait until the horse is relaxed so that he will let his penis hang down from his penile sheath. The best time is usually after a workout.

Step2

Wear rubber gloves. If you don't, the smell from a dirty shaft will cling to your hands long after you are done washing it.

Step3

Check the horse's penis for dirt. Look for black greasy material - called smegma - and flakes of dead skin.

Step4

Mix up a fresh pail of warm soapy water. Ivory soap is best.

Step5

Put your gloved hand into a clean tube sock.

Step6

Apply the soapy water to the shaft with the tube sock.

Step7

Scrub, when necessary. Smegma can accumulate in the folds of the penis and be difficult to remove. Even when scrubbing, always be gentle.

Step8

Rinse away all traces of the soapy water. Any soap residue left can cause severe shaft irritation.

Step9

Avoid washing the shaft too often. One or twice a year is usually often enough.

Tips & Warnings

Reapply fly repellents after washing a horse.
Horses should be washed when they are muddy or sweaty. But washing them should not be used as an alternative to grooming them. Grooming stimulates hair growth and oil production. Washing only cleans the skin.
Use a garden hose set on low pressure to rinse the shaft. Using lukewarm water is best. If you can hook your hose up to a utility sink or laundry tub faucet and mix cold and hot water together, the horse will be grateful. You are rinsing a very sensitive organ.
The first few times you try to wash your horse's shaft, he may kick. Be careful where you stand and pay attention to your horse's body language. Usually, after you've washed the shaft once or twice, the horse will enjoy the procedure and will relax while you are doing it.
Washing too frequently removes the natural oils from the horse's skin and changes the skin's natural acidity. Don't over-wash.

Comments

BillyBennett said

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on 4/12/2008 Oops sorry. Double post.

BillyBennett said

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on 4/12/2008 I have three geldings and two stallions, and their sheaths get cleaned every six months. They don't seem to mind it, so I do not need to sedate them

BillyBennett said

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on 4/12/2008 I have three geldings and two stallions and I clean their sheaths every six months. They don't mind it, so I do not need to sedate them.

casey said

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on 4/4/2007 The best way to have your horses sheath cleaned is to call Stephanie Michaud of
Udderly Klean Sheath Service
(604) 274-3434
I (Stephanie Michaud) will treat your horse with kindness and patience as I conduct a gentle cleansing treatment with sheath cleaner and thourogh warm water rinse. If there is a bean I will remove it.

I have been cleaning
equine sheaths for the past 3 yrs and have several hundred happy clients.

I am proud to say that I have perfected the art of cleaning an equine sheath and removing beans.

I am willing to take on difficult horses.

I do not use sedatives or tranquilizers...just lots of TLC!

If you live in BC's Lower Mainland an surrounding area
feel free to phone me for an appointment or free advice, I will be happy to help you and your horse.

You can check me out at
www.equinesheath.com
email: stephmichaud@shaw.ca
(604) 274-3434

If you live on Vancouver Island call my good friend Tracy owner/operator of "For the Boys" sheath service, she will be glad to help you.

If you live near the Okanogan B.C you can call my other good friend
Sheila Matkovich of Equine Sheath Care and she will be happy to help.

I love horses and want them all to be happy and healthy.

Your horse deserves to be Udderly Klean!

Stephanie Michaud
Udderly Klean Sheath Service
(604) 274-3434
www.equinesheath.com
stephmichaud@shaw.ca