How Do You Clean Smegma Horses?

In horses that produce large amounts of smegma and appear uncomfortable, and in show horses or others where this would be considered unsightly, excess smegma can be wiped or rinsed away with warm clean water using simple soap that contains no antiseptics or detergents.

What causes horse smegma?

A male horse has a sheath that is a double fold of skin that covers the penis when it is drawn up inside the body. A sheath can and will get dirty and often a little stinky. The sheath has sebaceous glands that secrete sebum. When sebum mixes with dirt and sloughing skin cells it makes smegma.

How do you prevent smegma in horses?

The penis shaft can be cleaned of flaky smegma, if your horse allows it, sometimes without water. Wear a pair of disposable gloves and gently lift the flakes away. Use warm water, if necessary, but no soap as this can irritate. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which can cause abrasions and possible skin infection.

How do you tell if your horse needs his sheath cleaned?

Signs that your horse needs his sheath cleaned include – not letting his penis down to urinate – a swollen sheath – an odour – flakes of deposits of smegma clinging to the penis or to the insides of his hindlegs. Sometimes a painful sheath and penis will cause a horse to exhibit signs of colic or irritation.

What happens if you don’t clean a horse’s sheath?

Really dirty sheaths can cause secondary infection, dermatitis, and inflammation. While these conditions are generally not life threatening, it’s a good idea to practice proactive prevention. Medically speaking, it’s best if your horse has his sheath cleaned once a year.

How much does it cost to get a horse’s sheath cleaned?

Cindy recommends conditioning colts to be handled from their earliest imprinting sessions. Cleaning a nervous horse, slowly and patiently, may take one or two hours. Average cost? About $30 per horse.

What is the best sheath cleaner?

Use a commercial sheath cleaner, such as Excalibur or Equi-Pro. These products cut through the grease, have a pleasant odor, and make sheath cleaning easier. Warm water also helps cut grease—and your horse will like it better.

Does smegma pearls go away on its own?

Pus-like clumps called smegma can sometimes form as the foreskin naturally retracts. This is normal, requires no treatment and goes away on its own.

Do horses enjoy sheath cleaning?

Grooming is an enjoyable way to bond with your horse, and most horses love to be fussed over, but cleaning a male horse’s sheath is an unpleasant chore that owners and riders tend to avoid.

Can you use baby oil to clean a horse’s sheath?

A small amount of light mineral oil (such as baby oil) may help to loosen lumps and make excessive smegma easier to remove. It is important to be gentle and not abrade the skin and to rinse all trace of soap away.

Can I use Dawn dish soap to clean my horses sheath?

However, some horses are sensitive to it. If so, try cleaning with Dawn dish soap, baby shampoo or a gentle shampoo, like Corona, instead. Put a small amount in the palm of your hand and work into a lather before applying. Also be sure to rinse well with plenty of warm water.

Can I use baby shampoo to clean my horses sheath?

Low-sudsing commercial products designed for sheath-cleaning work well, as does baby shampoo. Plain water is also an option. Remember— you don’t want to upset the natural microbiome more than necessary, which can cause other problems. DON’T reach under your horse’s barrel suddenly.

Do vets clean horses sheath?

Annual sheath cleanings performed by your veterinarian allows them to both A) Remove the buildup of potentially harmful smegma and B) Thoroughly inspect the sheath while your horse is relaxed and sedated.

Do horses need to be sedated for sheath cleaning?

Some horse owners are able to perform sheath cleanings themselves, while others prefer having their veterinarian clean the sheath under sedation. Horses can develop tumors or sores in this region and regular thorough examination allows for early diagnosis and treatment of potentially harmful conditions.

How often should gelding sheath be cleaned?

How often should I clean the sheath? This will vary from horse to horse but, on average, every two to four weeks should be sufficient. Overcleaning should be avoided otherwise the normal bacteria are removed allowing fungal overgrowth to take place – a cursory wash is all that is required in most cases.

How do you get the beans off a horse’s sheath?

I simply use KY Jelly, a water-based lubricant, and vinyl gloves — never latex gloves. I will often lubricate the sheath first and leave it for a bit while I treat another horse, and then by the time I have come back to it, the beans will have loosened up and they are easier to remove.

How do you know if your horse has a bean?

Some signs that your mare may have a ‘bean’ that needs removal is if she’s itchy and rubbing her tail a lot (but you know you’ve wormed her), or even bucking or kicking which is out of character. It depends on the individual mare as to whether you check her every six months or so, or much more regularly.

How long can a sheath stay on?

The sheath should be changed every 24 hours, or in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. water. This will deactivate the adhesive and allow easy removal of the sheath. If it is a clear sheath, soap can be applied over the surface to break down the glue.

Is smegma a UTI?

Smegma also contains bacteria. Usually, these bacteria are healthy and beneficial, but harmful bacteria sometimes grow out of control in smegma. An overgrowth of unhealthy bacteria can cause a bad smell and may play a role in certain infections, including UTIs.

What color is smegma discharge?

Smegma is a malodorous, opaque white or yellow substance composed of shed epithelial cells (dead skin) and sebum (oily secretions) produced by the sebaceous glands of male and female genitalia. It is found beneath the foreskin and glans penis in males and the folds of skin surrounding the clitoris in females.

Are smegma pearls normal?

As this occurs you may notice a white, cheesy material, called smegma, released between the layers of skin. You also may see ‘white pearls’ develop under the fused layers of the foreskin and the glans. These are not signs of an infection or a cyst. Smegma is just skin cells that are shed throughout life; it is normal.