Q: I own two geldings. I know that they need their sheaths cleaned periodically, but how often should it be done? What exactly is the "bean"? Would it be better if I had my vet do it?

A: Cleaning sheaths is usually not looked upon as a joyous task, but it is one that needs to be undertaken as part of your gelding's routine health care. Most geldings only need to have their sheaths cleaned once or twice a year, but it depends entirely on the horse. Some geldings may need to be cleaned more often. If your gelding makes a "water in a jug" or "hoo-hoo-hoo" sound when he jogs, it is time to clean the sheath.

The purpose of sheath cleaning is to remove smegma and the "bean".  Smegma is a combination of natural body oil, sweat, dirt and shed skin cells.  It forms along the shaft of the penis and inside the sheath. The "bean" is a hardened build up of smegma that forms in the pouch that surrounds the end of the urethra. If left unchecked, this "bean" can cause the horse discomfort and interfere with urination.

If done properly and carefully, owners can do a decent job themselves.  YOU MUST BE CAREFUL!  Many horses will kick when their sheath is cleaned and YOU WILL GET HURT. If you do clean the sheath yourself, use a mild soap such as Ivory or a commercially available cleaner (Excalibur). If you use soap, make sure to rinse the sheath thoroughly. Some horses will need to be sedated before sheath cleaning.  In our practice, we frequently clean the sheath when the horse has his teeth floated. That way he only needs to be tranquilized once. Since tumors of the penis are fairly common, the veterinarian can also check the penis while cleaning.