One Really Good Reason To Have a Mare
Sheath Cleaning. That about sums it up.
I feel like I’m about to introduce myself at an AA meeting:
Hello, my name is Jackie. And until yesterday, I had never cleaned my gelding’s sheath.
I know, I know. It’s an important part of every male horse’s regular care. But because I had never done it (we had a mare growing up), and I had no idea what I was doing – and it’s sheath cleaning – I’ve been avoiding it. But it was cleaning day at the barn yesterday, so I finally got an experienced barn worker to show me the ropes.
I don’t think I can bring myself to write a how to on how to clean a sheath. Besides, it’s one of those things that you really have to just do with the help of an experienced friend rather than learn by studying.
So, Regarding Horse’s tips for learning to clean your horse’s sheath?
- Suck it up and do it.
- Find a knowledgeable horse person to talk you through it the first time.
And just for fun, here’s a hilarious video on sheath cleaning with British dressage rider Laura Bechtolsheimer:
I find sheath cleaning a lot less gross than heat cycles. LOL. Maybe I’m weird.
That video was hilarious because of their embarassment! Also, good to know Laura’s actually cleaning her own horsse – I doubt many top riders do!
I’ve always done the soft tube sock/add a cleaner, gently clean, and hose out to rinse well. My current gelding pretty much drops any time I’m around him though. Which gets me teased a lot, as apparently he never used to drop at all – and the other people in my barn knew him for years before I got him!
Ha, ha, good video. Just cleaned some our horses beans out too. Rather do Dusty mare instead.
Mares can sometimes get gunk in between their teats…which must be cleaned thoroughly (especially in hot weather). I try to wash my mare’s “boobies” whenever I give her a shower after exercise. Also, mares should have their vulva areas cleaned on a regular basis to prevent any irritation, which is another thing I do when I give my mare her shower. I just hose under her tail and between her back legs with tepid water (cold water is not nice!) So, there are unpleasant but necessary hygiene practices for both sexes of horses.
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“I don’t think I can bring myself to write a how to on how to clean a sheath.”
Maybe its’ just me, but reading instructions on how to the do dirty work is always worse than actually doing it.
It is dirty work but it must be done! Suck it up and do it !