My gelding is bad about touching his sheath?

Question

I'm stuck with my gelding. He's a big sweetie, but as soon as I go to clean his sheath (which REALLY needs to be done) he starts kicking at me. I got the vet out to do it the first time, but it's not cheap for the $50 trip charge and then all the sedation, cleaning, etc. so I want to get him better so that I can clean it. Does anyone have tips to get him to like me cleaning him up there? He always pulls "it" back as soon as I touch his belly, though he's not touchy when it's up. Hmph, it's getting annoying. Please don't tell me to call the vet and tranq. him because we've done that and it's EXPENSIVE and I want to do it myself, for the less-than-$10 it will take, with some time. Thanks!

Answer 1

hmmm start slow. Dont go right for the sheath. Like for one day go as far as he is comfortable. And them praise him and stop. Everyday go a little farther and hopefully he will trust you in that area. Rememeber though if he kicks....dont stop there. Let hi know that isn't right and end always on a good note. Good luck!

Answer 2

i have a vet do it for me but were i live its 10 bucks, would u like having someone clean u in ur special place if ur shy like he probly is, take it slowwwwwww

Answer 3

it takes 3 people

1 to feed cookies

1 to hold a front leg

1 to clean the seath

they sell seath cleaning soap in magzines

but my vet said mineral oil works fine to

Answer 4

Depending on your experience/ability level, you could try tying up a front leg to restrain him, or use a "scotch hobble" on the opposite hind leg, but it's not something I would try if you're inexperienced.  If you restrain the opposite hind leg, it's pretty much impossible for them to kick and get any force with the leg they're standing on, but if the horse were to panic and fight, they could hurt both themselves and you trying to get loose.  If you do restrain him, then just patience, and do your best to keep the experience as low key as possible.  Another possibility, if you have a good working relationship with your veterinarian, and the ability to administer an injection, would be to see if they would dispense a dose of sedation for him so you could clean him.  I know there are people that are dead set against using chemical methods, but I'm all for the least stress environment.

Answer 5

Have you tried just using K-Y jelly, instead of all the water, soap, rags etc that make it a big deal?  I just wear disposable gloves and make sure the K-Y is warmed to the temp of my hand, and not only never have a problem, but they enjoy it because it is lubricated and non irritating.  The whole purpose is to get beans and debris out...soap is not needed and can cause irritation.  A squirt of K-Y on your gloved hand is all you need, and there is no rinsing...K-Y is water soluble and can be left without being rinsed off.  I'm an RN and K-Y is used all the time for such jobs.

Answer 6

Well I am glad to hear that you are trying to clean it alot of people dont. So good step there. I would recommend using some type of sheath cleaner, I use excalibar, it works well for my gelding.  You horse sounmds exactly like my paint, he just plain out doesnt like being touched down there. I used warm water and ran it between his legs, near his sheath, and then used excalibar and he was fine.

This works for me, hope it works for you=)