Searching for the pea (sheath cleaning)

[Tootsie4U]

In the eight months I've owned Bonfire, I have yet to see his winker. Even when he pees, it doesnt come out! I guess he's shy.

But, I think I've found a trick. The last two times I pulled his chestnuts, it dropped! Weird I know.

Just for fun, does anyone else have weird ways of getting their guys relaxed enough so "it" comes out? Most people I know have to drug their horses or just roll up them sleeves....... :D

[galadriel]

Somebody--was it H&Bailey? (I'm probably completely off) used clicker training!

[bebophutch]

Can i ask why on earth do u actually want to see it that much:eek: :eek:

[Tootsie4U]

Bebop - I guess I do sound a little "off" hee hee....

Im mustering up the courage to clean it. Since he doesnt willingly hand it over, Im sure I'll have to go up in there :p

[lisae]

My fear always was that my gelding would take offense and kick me a good one, leading to questions at work "and how did you break your arm, anyways?"

Seriously, of the two geldings I've had, one will drop during a relaxing grooming session, so I can generally do some housekeeping on him then, but my prior hourse, also a Morgan, was like Bonfire, kept it tucked away. If you have to go after it, definitely use warm water as a courtesy!

[maverick927]

I put my hand up behind the sheath and tickle it. Its really mingy as Mavy doesn't drop unless I tickle with my bare hand.

the tar-y stuff takes ages to get out from under your finger nails. and its worse that Mavy is a smelly pony and needs cleaned once a month.

[Tootsie4U]

Good Lord! I havent done it yet to Bon. (he did have it done right before I bought him)

Every month - geesh!

I've been getting him ready though by grapping and tickling those areas. He is getting much better. I dont expect any kicks

[sallym]

Thank heavens I have a mare!

[larri]

Think yourselves lucky..

Merlin has to have bits done WEEKLY! :eek:

Bless him - he's so used to it he spreads his back legs then lifts the one at the side I'm on out of the way!!

Larri

[Tootsie4U]

Now that is funny! lol (just picturing it)

[HairyCob]

Actually it's me that has clicker trained! But only by working on the fact that he would 'drop' at certain times- a particular area being groomed, a pleasantly warm day relaxing in the sun etc!
Now I don't even need the clicker- I just tell him to drop it, and hey! Presto! There it is! Bless him!

As to the pea question- before he was clicker trained to give me the goods as it were, I never, ever found the elusive pea (actually it's more like a bean!) and I fail to see how anyone with their hand 'in' up to the elbow could possibly find it!!!:o ;)

However, since clicker training for the 'drop it and leave it down til i'm done' effect, I have had no problems finding the 'bean'- it isn't easy to get out however- not to put too fine a point on it, you need to find the 'wee' hole at the end then fiddle about as if you were trying to get a big blackhead out of it- very unpleasant! Make sure you have short finger nails for this procedure guys! The only time H.C. has ever even made a move towards kicking me it was during a 'drop it sunshine' session just after I had had some lovely gel nails done- needless to say my french manicure effect didn't look quite so attractive once I'd finished!!!!:o :o :D ;)

Hope this helps someone, and appologies if it is a little too graphic- I have my first day off in three months tomorrow so I have had one or too drinkies!!;) :D

All the best,

H.C.'s mum!

[iWuvHorses]

uuh...this is an odd post,lol...

dusty need his cleaned...
but,im going to leave that all up to my mom! lol.:p

uh...dusty's comes out when you brush him.
and he LOVES to be brushed,he stands there,completely still,relaxes,and usually closes his eyes...

funy,funny post..:o

[chapsi]

So, one of the reasons why occasionally I turn into the laughing stock of the guys at the yard, was because I mentioned sheath cleaning. They nearly rolled over laughing, thinking it was a preposterous thing to clean the private bits of a gelding. They even warned me not to cover myself of ridicule by speaking to the vet about it!
I ought to explain to those of you who don't realise, I live in a very male orientated country, and around here, sheath cleaning is something unheard of. Could you imagine, a macho rider cleaning his horse's bits?
Anyway, as a stubborn person, I spoke (very diplomatically) to my vet about it; my vet is one of the best horse vets in the country (aren't I lucky, shame he is never around when I most need him), the kind of vet that spends most of his life as a living globe trotter, attending endless conferences and seminars... he understood my predicament, agreed that it is good sense to do regular sheath cleaning, part of the horse's routine and congratulated me for being such a serious horse owner; in 15 horses at the yard, one mine had his teeth checked, for instance!
So, he is coming next month, Pégaso will be sedated. Nobody knows, it will be a surprise for everybody. eh, eh, eh;)

[Chikumz]

I'm confused...You're going to sedate him to clean his sheath??

[chapsi]

So the vet says. It's a mild sedation, the horse is not used to having his privates foundled. I agree, better to keep him calm, than having him putting one of his so effective tantrums.
I have a friend at the States, and her vet does it to her gelding too.

[Cathy Reynolds]

I know it all sounds disgusting but do please take it seriously otherwise, like with brat, you end up with a 'pea' the size of a very large bean and he'll be in pain and kicking out, and you end up sedating anyway.

[deborah ann]

Its not like they can do it for themselves. Be patient and consider how much better they must feel to be clean. (If they drop and its cruddy they look neglected)

[Peace]

chapsi - the vet does my barn owner's Arab gelding as well. Poor Ja'Far trembles with fear over a bath - I'm pretty sure he'd have to be institutionalized if any of us took it into our heads to invade his privacy to that extent!:D Like many great geniuses, he's a very sensitive soul. ;)

[tasha]

On the other hand, cleaning mare's bits isnt too fun either. Dipity comes into seson violently every few days in summer. Not just a bit of squirting and winking, but a full "please please impregnate me!!!". I once arrived up the yard to find a thick trail of, er, something nasty down her leg that took a while to scrub off.

Anyway, with all that smelly stuff and hot weather = lots of flies so daily cleaning and tail washing was required. And if you werent careful she would mistake you for a stallion whilst fiddling around back there, and er, flirt heavily!

[CT]

Hi Everyone

Have you seen the article in Horse and Rider this month (I think it's horse a rider). Rob Pilsworth from Rossdales Vets in Newmarket says not to clean the sheath at all! He reckons it increases the likelihood of disease get in there. Thought some of you might be interested to hear this news..............

BTW I don't have this problem with my horse. He is not nick named Dougal the Dangler for nuffin!

CT

[Tootsie4U]

LOL!

(thanks for the info. too)

[Tina J]

I'd take issue with anyone saying to NEVER clean a gelding's sheath. They vary a lot in the amount and type of gunk they get round their dangly bit. A gelding that doesn't seem to get chunky smelly loose bits doesn't really need interfering with - just a regular check to make sure it all carries on looking OK. On the other hand, you do get geldings that seem to build up a lot of loose flaky smelly stuff. That has to be cleaned off or there is a risk of it coming off up inside him and causing problems. A very dilute disinfectant solution is OK, or you can buy specialist sheath cleanser solution and wipes in the UK. But make sure that your hands and sponge are clean first - lets face it, you wouldn't bath your own privates with a dirty sponge!

Gelding a horse is an "unnatural" thing to do, that we do for our own convenience, so we owe it to our horses to check that our decision to remove their gonads does't lead to any other problems.! (Apologies to any guys reading this who are now wincing)

[tasha]

A lady at our yard has never done her Welsh Cob's in the 9 years she's had him. He just doesnt need it done. Do it if and when it needs it, she says.

[happyhorse]

Ev doesn't need doing regulary. If he has it out and about and it needs cleaning i have a cleaner you just spray on and leave and it all just loosens and comes of.

[Tootsie4U]

Happy horse - whats that spray on cleaner called and where can I get it? The minute Bonfire smells the excalibur - away it goes. Otherwise, I have to be stealthy and thats too annoying

[happyhorse]

erm... i can't remember its name its common in the uk, you just squirt it out at it. i will have a look tonight when i am at the yard and let you know tomorrow.

[chapsi]

How can one tell that a horse needs their sheath cleaned? Let's face it, they rarely bring it out.

[Krazy4horses]

I'v never ahd to do it before

but one of the Riding School pony Timmy happened to drop his bits while I was groomin ghim,not a pretty site;)A 31 year old gelding I rode him when I first started there. But hes the only horse whos done that to me so far except Chevy who almost did it while I was grooming.Wait and Duke hwo happened to pea in the grooming stall and it took me half and hour to clean up(I was ina rush too!)I had ot get bedding put in on wait till it dried and take it off,I was going to leave it but my friend insisted I clean it up,and had to go to Leann,and see what to do:POr I would have been home by the half and hour:P

[Silver1]

icky, I was putting some bag balm on my mares udders and wads and wads of this icky black stuff came off. I went up to the house (thank God I didn't take it with me to show her) to ask what it was and if I needed to call the vet or something. And of course a guy had to answer the door. :o but he explained it was just smega etc.

*whew*

[CanadianHorse]

We just bought a 12 yr old Welsh X. His previous owner said she cleaned his sheath every month -- but it looks pretty dirty now. The stable manager says she hardly ever cleans her horses. So, I'm in a quandry - if I'm the only one at the stable who cleans, will I look like a geek (for lack of a better word?) It takes a while for horse & Rider to get over here -- but I've found it to be of the most informative magazines. I'll have to watch for this issue.

[Chikumz]

Who gives a poo what other people think about you. If it needs to be cleaned, then clean it. You'll be the better horse owner for doing it...