Saline horses' sheaths?

Question

Can I use Epsom Salt and water to make a saline mix for cleaning my horses sheath? What should the ratio be?

Answer 1

if you are asking this you more then likely have never cleaned it before when it comes to your horse that is not a place to try and save money and if there is a sore from a tic bite or a fly bite and you could get yourself seriously hurt if you have a horse trailer take him to a vet and have the vet show you how and some horses need to be sub-dated in order to clean it. I have stallions that I can walk up and clean it with-out having to put a halter on them and other I have to haul them to the vet every-time they need to be cleaned and remember mares need to be cleaned and a good quality sheath cleaner works great cleaning that gunk between their teats  

Answer 2

NO. that is not a good idea and could cause a number of problems that could produce significant irritations.  

Answer 3

No do not use Epsom salt for sheath cleaning. You will end up with a very irritated horse.

KY jelly or Excalibur work very well.

Or mild soap and water are fine also.

The Epsom salt is used for drawing out infections and making abscesses pop out but would not be good for sheath cleaning.  

Answer 4

Never heard of using saline solution.  I don't think it would do the job.  I use Excalibur, as does the first poster.  It's specifically designed to soften the goop and smegma that collects in the sheath and in the folds and the bean from the end of the " P-thing"   (Just don't like the word).  It's best to use something designed for cleaning the sheath.  It rinses well, and does the job, and sort of helps mask the dreadful smell some horses have.

Answer 5

Actually You can purchase Excalibur Sheath Cleaner. You can purchase it at most places that carry horse related supplies.

Answer 6

Epsom Salt????  You want to loosen up the gunk up in there...if you want to make up something on your own, try some warm water and some soap.  

I think Epsom Salt is a little rough for that area and wouldn't be lubricating enough to properly clean the area and loosen the smegma.

Or, as suggested, buy the ready made product...that is probably your safest bet.

Answer 7

Don't try to mix stuff and hope it will work.  Proffesionals do that, so leave it to them.  But you can buy special sheath cleaner in most horse-related stores.  It's a sensitive place, so be careful!

Answer 8

I would NOT use Epsom salts to clean a horses sheath.  Also, stay away from using Excalibur and other sheath cleaning products, some horses actually have very strong reactions to them.  KY jelly is actually the best product to use.  You can put some KY on and let it sit for a day or so to loosen the smegma, and the next day just simply wipe out the sheath.  KY is great because it does not attract dust/dirt, does not need to be rinsed, and will not irritate the sheath.  Another thing to keep in mind is that some horses are also allergic to latex gloves, so it is best to use latex free.

Answer 9

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate.  It isn't typically used as a sheath cleanser, and saline is a 0.9 % sodium chloride solution, not magnesium sulfate.  I use K-Y jelly to clean the sheath...it is a great lubricant, and because it is water soluble, it doesn't leave residue and there is no need for rinsing.  It won't irritate the delicate tissue, but it will soften the smegma for removal.  I use disposable latex gloves, warm the jelly in my hand, and the job is pretty easy.  To remove the glove, pull down from the wrist to turn it inside out, which keeps the mess inside of it.