Sheath Cleaning: The Why and How

Over the holiday weekend, I was able to have dinner with an old friend who is also an equine veterinarian that sees many different issues and problems in his daily rounds.  During our conversation, I asked him what is one management practice he thought horse owners should think about more often.  His immediate response was that sheath cleaning should be made a part of every gelding or stallion owner’s care plan if it is not already.

A dirty sheath can cause a gelding or stallion discomfort and irritation and over time could lead to infection and, in rare cases, even lameness as grime and dirt build up in the protective double fold of skin over the horse’s penis.  This build up can form a hard ball called a “bean” as natural gland secretions in the sheath called smegma mix with dirt and dead skin cells. This bean can get caught near the opening of the urethra and in time cause difficulty or painful urination.  While not every male horse will need sheath cleaning every time examined, it is a good practice to check your horse’s sheath at least twice a year.  A good time to do this is when your horse is already tranquilized for a veterinary or dental procedure as this is when your horse is more relaxed and the penis will be extended for easier access.

While wearing latex gloves and using caution to avoid being kicked, wet soft (roll) cotton or a sanitized sponge with warm water and a mild, non-abrasive soap.  There are commercial cleaners available or dish soap works well as it breaks down the grime and grease well.  Apply a very small amount of soap or cleanser to the wet cotton or sponge and then apply to the penis, scrubbing gently.  Rinse well with more cotton or clean sponge soaked in warm water, carefully washing off the grime and all soapy residue.  It is then important to search for a “bean” by using a finger to very gently run around the outer edge of the sheath in the pocket that is just above the urethral opening.  If there is one present, it can gently be squeezed out with some pressure.

Always have a holder for your horse and practice caution and good hygiene during the cleaning, never using force.  Do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian or someone with more experience for guidance or help, particularly when working with breeding stallions.  Also, many veterinarians will perform the cleaning for a minimal fee if they are already tranquilizing your horse for another procedure.