should I clean him?

[becs]

Noticed our old welshie flicking his hinds a few times today, otherwise grazing happily so thought no more of it.

But on the yard tonight, I _think_ his sheath area is a bit more puffy than usual.

Could this be indicative that I have to go bean-hunting?

Is a clean down below now due?

BTW, haven't done him in the 2.5 years we've had him, as no probs observed. Just a bit flaky usually, which he'll let me peel off gently.

Have read the threads re how to do it - but don't want to interfere unless I have to.

[alwaysfallingof]

It has been so hot the past couple of days that the midges have been out where I am, and the little b*g*ers bite my ponies sheath and make it swell up slightly, and makes it itchy which could explain the swishing tail.
I find that cleaning it makes it much less attractive to flies, and also helps with the itchiness, but you could also try putting a cream or fly repellant (the BRIGHT yellow 'summer fly cream' is good) on it.

I think that if it were due to a bean then you'd see some definite symptoms of him finding weeing uncomfortable before it got to the point where he'd get fluid retention due to not going.:eek:
However, I'd check anyway.

[becs]

Thanks for that, alwaysfallingof - didn't think of fly bites. But have seen clouds of midges too recently, it's so mild, as you say.

...and I'm still alive! - donned hat & gloves and "went in" _gently_ this morning - well, a little way, the length of my index inger... Only buttery goo and one tiny bean. He was very good about it - bribed with a bowl of chaff.

Left him with fly gel all over "there".

Have see him in & out, so to speak, so not too concerned. Just mystified why these "base folds" seem more spherical than usual!

[Jessey]

Flys have started round here too, I don't think my guys will get any time without rugs this year, fly rugs will be on as soon as the T/O rugs come off :(

[becs]

I think it's less puffy today, with fly gel applied.

Now I wish I'd paid more attention to his private parts!! lol. Can't remember exactly what shape that bit is normally - what's left when he's "hidden indoors". The edges always hung a bit, just not this round??

Was going to ask about other geldings but I 'spose they're all different anyway? lol

[Jessey]

Bo gets puffy round there when the flies are out in force, but they do all seem to react at different rates depending on how they react to the flies.

Did you have a go at cleaning? Bo can't stand the hose down there for the rinsing, I just slather up in there with baby oil and let the oil work its magic (it eases off all those claggy bits and they work their own way out :D)

[applegirl123]

I'm not really sure as to what products/lotions & potions I should apply to my ponys bits. (gelding!)
Does *it* have to be *out* so to speak or do you just whack it up there?

I think his needs a wee clean so any help would be most appreciated. Thanks x

[julia gulia]

I wouldn't use the baby oil as it attracts more dirt. Ummmm also hate to tell you this but...one of my friends horses got a little swollen down there and on closer inspection she discovered that flies had laid their eggs in there :eek: . I do a check on a regular basis. I don't look on it as interfering..they are gelded and can't clean it themselves...'tis a dastardly job but someones got to do it:D

[becs]

Thanks for that everyone.

I had a little clean out, with gloves and warm water only. He was very good about it - with his face in feed... Not much found though.

It's back to normal today, so am continuing to apply fly gel twice a day and monitoring it. The weather's suddenly gone very mild here so more flies already.

Applegirl123 - if you search on NR there's a good (& funny) description of exactly HOW to clean sheaths. BTW, if it's "out", no doubt it's easier - but they usually disappear when they sense our approach!, so you have to poke in gently and explore all the "pockets" / folds.

[Jessey]

I wouldn't use the baby oil as it attracts more dirt.
I have never had a problem with that, up in there it seems to just keep it supple and acctually stop the grime sticking on :p