gelding noise

[born2ride182]

i have this 8 year old tb gelding
i started working him the other day and every time i posted he
would like grunt or sweak it was really odd
people call it the "gelding noise" cuz only geldings do it
but why do they

[ponytude]

Well has his Sheath been cleaned lately? I know that can cause a "noise" too...

[entreat]

I've heard that it means the sheath needs cleaning - but then I've heard in on squeaky-clean geldings.

Either way, it's nothing to be concerned about!

[Horsey Chick]

I hope it isn't because you need to clean your geldings thingy! Cause if it is, it might be hard. My guy is really touchy and has to be tranquilized to have his done. You need to have it done like at least once a year too, cause it can get painful if he gets a bean growin' in there! Icky!!

[galadriel]

It can be tension, causing him to withdraw his "thingy" (love the phrasing) deep into his sheath. This leaves a sort of open hollow space in the sheath, so as his legs swing it makes a phhhhhbt sound. It's most likely at the trot. If you have any male siblings who like to make a rude sound under their armpits ;) it's much the same sort of mechanism!

It can be an indicator that the sheath needs cleaning. It can also be an indicator that the horse is tense for some reason. If it only happens when you're posting, there may be something you're doing which is causing him to tense. If you're sitting hard or rising from the stirrups, that might be enough to make him unfomfortable enough to go tense.

[Trewsers]

Hello there, been dying to ask this question but didn't know how to ask - after reading about the gelding making the noise and it leading onto talking about cleaning their "bits" - how and when will I need to do this when I get mine? My other half cringes when he thinks about it - he says "I'll have to deal with it". Can anybody offer up some advice?!!!! Cheers!

[jessie123]

This is soooo annoying, it was explained to me not long ago by the vet and now I can't remember what he said, it has nothing to do with cleanliness though but something to do with an air pocket when trotting, something like air being drawn in and then pushed out again. aaahhh..... this is driving me nuts!!!:eek:

[Shizzity]

Since geldings have some of their "parts" removed, there is an air space. I dont exactally know why the noise is made, but i dont think it has anything to do with cleaing the remaining part. :D My trainer always said this was a good noise that meant they are working hard. So i always like to hear it!:D :D

[bubblegum]

Its not just geldings, stallions can make the same noise too. The one at my yard does it.

[entreat]

Originally posted by Trewsers
cleaning their "bits" - how and when will I need to do this when I get mine? Cheers!
Do a google search for something like "horse gelding sheath cleaning" & you'll find it fairly easily. There's a very amusing article involving "Mr. Hand"!! You also need to make sure your horse is ok with you touching him there - one of my horses will try to kick your hand away (not trying to kick *you* but to kick off what ever is touching him there).

As far as regularity goes, I would suggest once a year. Too often & you will mess up his 'good' bacteria, and he can get prone to infection.

[steph_cyddie]

i think its when the lads need a wee and it jingles about!!! :D god that sounds wrong!!! hehe :o steph snd cyddie xxxxx

[joshes mum]

My friends horse has a really crusty willy(yuck) but no way will he allow it to be touched.I put my hand near it and he raised his leg instantly, im not willing to be kicked. Ive heard people mention they use baby oil,if this was squirted on when he is relaxed would it help?

[NoviceNic]

Go and have a look at my thread on Horse Care and Health. A NR member posted me the funniest most indepth instructions you have ever seen. :D

[entreat]

If he won't let you touch it, you'll have to put in alot of time with "The Friendly Game". Start by touching him somwhere that he doesn't mind being touched - say his back. Then rub him with a gentle, non-tickling motion all over his back, working your way around his rump, shoulders, belly, legs... but always watch for his reaction. If he swishes his tail at you, puts on grumpy ears, or tenses his posture, you'll have to retreat to where he's comfortable again. Keep at his comfort areas for a while, then go back (slowly) to where he wasn't as happy before... This can take a while (days, weeks, etc) but soon he'll be happy enough for you to rub him where previously he irked at it. It shows his degree of trust in you... when he trusts you enough, you'll be able to touch his belly, and flanks without a flinch.

Some horses will never let you touch their privates. That's just who they are. But even a trusting horse won't be too happy with you go for a snatch&grab!! always let him know where you are, and what your intentions are. I rub my boys on the belly and tickle the backs of their legs to make the relaxed, and then they know what I'm about to do.

[virtuallyhorses]

I wouldn't recommend baby oil for sheath (or willy) cleaning at all. Not only is mineral oil inappropriate for sensitive areas of the skin, and particularly internally but also you will end up with a much worse mess as the oil will accumulate much more dirt. Sheath cleaning gels are available from your vet or horse supplies store - you can use plain soap BUT be aware not to get anything with scents or anything anti-bacterial (there are good bacteria in there that your horse needs).

The leg lifting needs to be interpreted - if he's really uncomfortable most horses will lift a leg like a dog to be scratched underneath - either on the sheath or between his legs. Having your horse on 3 legs can be a bit strange at first and definitely surprises non-horsey types :eek: who don't know just how dextrous a horse can be, but they are usually careful with the hoof in the air. But if he was threatening to kick then you haven't got a 100% reliable horse and you need to put in the work to be able to touch your horse anywhere on his body without him getting fearful or angry about it :)

Mine actually enjoys having his sheath cleaned but then he understands the process and obviously gets relief from it. Getting this understanding takes time and patience and horses will differ regarding how much they enjoy it or not - but all should be able to 'grin and bear it' simply because you ask them to.

[entreat]

never use anything that says "For external use only" - it says that for a reason.

Water based lube is good because you don't need to wash it off, but it's also expensive. You can get it cheaper from a medical supply company.

[hackedoff]

Found 'Mr Hand'- enjoy!!!!
Mr. Hand

Step 1) Check to make sure there are no prospective boyfriends, elderly neighbors, or Brownie troops with a line of sight to the proceedings. Though of course they're probably going to show up unexpectedly ANYWAY once you're in the middle of things. Prepare a good explanation.

2) Trim your fingernails short. Assemble horse, hose, and your sense of humor (plus, ideally, Excalibur cleanser and perhaps thin rubber gloves).

3) Use hose (or damp sponge) to get the sheath and its inhabitant wet. Uh, that is, do this in a *civilized* fashion with due warning to the horse; he is apt to take offense if an icy-cold hose blasts unexpectedly into his personal regions

4) Now introduce your horse to Mr Hand . What I find safest is to stand facing the horse's head, with my shoulder and hip snugly against the horse's thigh and hip so that if he makes any suspicious move such as raising his leg, I can feel it right away and am in any case pressed so close that all he can do is shove, not really kick.

The horse should be held by an assistant or by your free hand, NOT tied fast to a post or to crossties. He may shift around a good bit if he's not happy with Mr Hand's antics, but don't be put off by that; as long as you are patient and gradual, and stick close to his side, he'll get over it.

Remember that it would be most unladylike of you to simply make a direct grab for your horse's Part. Give the horse a clue about what's on the program. Rest your hand against his belly, and then slide it back til you are entering The Home of the Actual Private Part. When you reach this first region of your destination, lube him up good with Excalibur or whatever you're using.

If the outer part of his sheath is really grungy you will feel little clods and nubblies of smegma peeling off as you grope around in there. Patiently and gently expedite their removal.

5) Thus far, you have probably only been in the outer part of the sheath. The Part Itself, you'll have noticed, is strangely absent. That's because it has retired shyly to its inner chambers. Roll up them thar sleeves and follow in after it

6) As you and Mr Hand wend your way deeper into the sheath, you will encounter what feels like a small portal that opens up into a chamber beyond. Being attentive to your horse's reaction, invite yourself in . You are now in the inner sanctum of The Actual Private Part. It's hiding in there towards the back, trying to pretend it isn't there. Say hi and wave to it .

No, really, work your finger back and forth around the sides of it. If the horse won't drop, this is your only shot at removing whatever dried smegma is clinging to the surface of the Part itself. So, gently explore around it, pulling out whatever crusty topsoil you find there. Use more water and more Excalibur if necessary to loosen attached gunk.

7) When Mr Hand and the Actual Private Part have gotten to know each other pretty well, and the Part feels squeaky clean all around, there remains only one task: checking for, and removing, the bean. The bean is a pale, kidney-shaped accumulation of smegma in a small pouch just inside the urethra. Not all horses accumulate a bean, but IME the majority do, even if they have no visible external smegma.

So: the equine urethra is fairly large diameter, and indeed will permit you to very gently insinuate one of your slimmer fingers inside the urethral opening. Do so, and explore upwards for what will feel like a lump or "pea" buried no more than, I dunno, perhaps 3/4" in from the opening. If you do encounter a bean, gently and sympathetically persuade it out with your finger.

This may require a little patience from BOTH Mr Hand AND the horse, but the horse will be happier and healthier once it's accomplished. In the rare event that the bean is too enormous for your finger to coax out, you might try what I did (in desperation) last month on the orange horse: Wrap thumb and index finger around the end of the Part and squeeze firmly to extrude the bean. Much to my surprise it worked and orange horse did NOT kill me for doing it and he does not seem to have suffered any permanant damage as a result ;-> I have never in my life seen another bean that enormous, though.

Now all that's left to do is make a graceful exit and rinse the area very thoroughly in apology for the liberties you've taken . A hose will be MUCH easier to use here than just a sponge and bucket, IME. Make sure to direct the water into the Part's inner retreat too, not merely the outer part of the sheath. This may require you to enfold the end of the hose in your hand and guide it up there personally.

9) Ta-**, you are done! Say, "Good horsie" and feed him lots of carrots. Watch him make funny faces at the way your hands smell. Hmm. Well, perhaps there is ONE more step...

10) The only thing I know of that is at all effective in removing the lovely fragrance of smegma from your hands (fingernails arms elbows and wherever else it's gotten) is Excalibur. Even then, if you didn't use gloves you may find you've got an unusual personal perfume for a while. So, word to the wise, do NOT clean your horse's sheath just before an important job interview or first date
and of course, there is that one FINAL step...

11) Figure out how to explain all this to your mother (or the kid from next door, or the meter reader, or whoever else you've just realized has been standing in the barn doorway speechlessly watching the entire process.)

Now, go thou forth and clean that Part

[joshes mum]

I had a good laugh reading that very good :D

[kayjayhorses]

My vet advised me not to bother buying sheath cleaner that you can get from tack shops as it can be too harsh for some horses plus a waste of money.

I always use gloves, warm water and cotton wool, then I apply vaseline afterwards. (as guided by my vet).

The noise is either through unclean parts, but more commonly its the air that gets trapped.

My gelding wasn't too keen on the cleaning, but I did a little everyday, stroking under his belly getting closer and closer to his bits, and when he raises his leg I back away and begin to stroke his belly again, then start slowly getting closer and keep repeating it, now he lets me clean him without a fuss, sometimes he lets himself all hang out now ready to be cleaned.....a little worrying!!!

[Kanuma]

ive never cleaned any of my lots thingy, ive got 4 geldings, one of whom ive had for comeing up to 11 years, i was advised by the vet to leave well alone unless they show signs of discomfort

[lazylurchers]

My gelding does the squeak thing too. He wont let anyone near his parts either!! I did once hear from a Vet that the dirt on the sheath is carconigenic - so best wear gloves!

[joshes mum]

I owned my first gelding for 5 yrs and loaned him before that,his willy never got cleaned either so all this is new to me!

[Chip]

Unless there is a problem, it is actually better NOT to clean. the sound is indeed air being drawn in and forced out. No need to worry.