Sheath cleaning

[Julew]

How much cleaning around a geldings sheath should you do? and how is it best done? The only info I have says weekly around sheath with clean cloth/sponge used only for this purpose (obviously) I am really ignorant about this and would like to know if there is a standard or what others do. Since i own a geldoing I should know but I do not please help.

[Mehitabel]

some people don't clean sheaths at all, others do it weekly, others monthly. there isn't reeally a right thing to do, unless the horse starts to smell, or is uncomfortable. we generally don't clean the geldings' sheaths, (we have about 70 horses and we'd never be doing anything else) but we keep an eye on them and if they look manky then we do it. we have one gelding whose sheath swells up and gets really unpleasant if it isn't done regularly, so he gets done every month or so. you can get special sheath cleaner, but apart from that you should only use warm water, as soap can kill the good bacteria that live there.
stallions should be cleaned regularly, especially if they're covering.

[Nickie]

*** a subject!!

There was a thread on this last year - was enough to make anyone's eyes water I tell you - if I find the link I'll post it here for you.

If I tried to clean Bren's sheath he'd kill me - you can't even sponge near his bits. He has kicked quite a few people and I got a near miss a week or so ago when I accidentaly flicked a bit of sawdust near it when I was grooming him!

So generally - he doesn't get done! I'd like to maintain use of all my limbs! :p

Nicola

[galadriel]

My Katherine is ticklish around her underside, and I clean her by hosing from a distance. I's not as intensive as cleaning a gelding's sheath, but it's an idea :)

One couple at my stable has their geldings' sheaths cleaned once a year-and they have them sedated for it.

[Nickie]

Here's the other threads that were on this subject last year - all I can say it keep those legs crossed! :D

Link one (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=621&highlight=sheath)

Link two (http://www.newrider.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=7633&highlight=sheath)

Have fun!

Nicola