My gelding positively HATES getting it done - anyone got any ways or suggestions of making the ordeal a bit easier on him?
Also - just wondering how often you guys do it - I know some people say 1 -2 a year is plenty and others think it should be far more frequent...
Sorry if this question grosses anyone out!!!! Thanks xx
2006-12-06 22:58:38 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Fen - yeah Im doing it properly and gently! he just doesnt like me being at him - can you blame him - last time someone went at him down there he had his bits chopped off!! Hes a baby though - just 6
2006-12-06 23:08:48 · update #1
Hi I used to do my boys bits every 6- 8 weeks if I didn't it would get filthy and swollen he hated it at 1st (I got him as a 2 year old hes now 13yo). He had no choice but get used to it. He used to suck it right up inside and I'd be up to my elbow Yuck. After about a year of perseverance he got used to it and he relaxes it now and just bears with it until it's all over. We did used to bribe him with feed and treats and also he found it less horrendous if he was twitched. He kind of finds the twitch a comfort.
2006-12-07 00:11:20 · answer #1 · answered by sarahc 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think some people don't clean their gelding's sheaths because they don't think it is necessary. Which, to be honest a full sheath cleaning is only necessary about two times a year, most of the time a simple hosing off will suffice. Too much cleaning will cause irritation to the sensitive skin as well as remove the oils necessary for proper lubrication. I don't have a gelding but about every six months I get roped into helping clean my trainers geldings' sheaths. It's a long and disgusting job, and we do use gloves. Mainly we use gloves because we're doing about eight to twelve horses and in case one of them has something nasty such as an infection we don't want to spread it to the other horses. I've helped clean my friend's gelding's sheath bare-handed, it's really not that disgusting and someone invented anti-bacterial soap for a reason. I suppose it would be possible for a horse to be allergic to sheath cleaner depending on the ingredients. I found one that is made of Tea Tree Oil, and I could imagine there's at least one horse out there who is allergic to it. Reactions would depend on how allergic they are to one of the ingredients.
2016-05-23 03:14:45 · answer #2 · answered by Kelly 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have mine done once a year while we are at the vets getting annual shots, coggins, teeth floated, etc. It is way easier, since the vet knows what he is doing, has the proper equipment to restrain my gelding, and can sedate if he needs to. I used to do it myself, but have found that this is by far the best method. Good Luck!
2006-12-07 03:37:11 · answer #3 · answered by Paint Pony 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work for a veterinarian and we commonly clean sheaths when we are on farm doing other work (floatings especially, since they are often sedated for that). If you can't get it done regularly, there are sedatives that a vet can give that will make him drop, and relax him enough to allow his sheath to be cleaned. My old gelding was horrid for it the first time (He was a 4th level dressage horse before I got him, and was spoiled beyond belief, and allowed to get away with alot of "bull" because he was imported, and obviously special...). After one time of having him partially sedated for it, he was fine. Some horses however, never get comfortable with it and need to be sedated every time. As far as frequency, it depends on the horse. You have to figure out the best schedule for him. I personally check whenever we worm, just as a regular reminder for me..
2006-12-07 05:15:19 · answer #4 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My best advice is to have your vet do it. Every year when the vet comes to float teeth, pull coggins, shots, etc. we have him clean our geldings sheaths. They're already aced and confind for the teeth, so it's easy. Once a year is usually enough, but I do it one or two times a year on my own to two of my horses that let me. But my "evil" one, I only have it done by the vet. If you really want to do it on your own talk to your vet and they can give you some seditives to help him relax so you can clean easily, safely, and better. Best of luck to you... and yeah I know it's gross, but it keeps him healthy!
2006-12-07 08:51:02 · answer #5 · answered by auequine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had this problem with my 7 yo Standardbred! his was in need of a clean but he wouldn't let me get at him, which was totally out of character since you could roll over and under him without him blinking an eyelid! i sorted it by just getting my friend to hold him, and distract him. we both were grooming and stroking him to relax him, then id clean it. the first time we did it he threw a bit of a paddy, but my friend managed to keep him calm. we did it about twice a year.
unfortunately i had to sell him, but he was such a gorgeous horse! after the first few times he was fine with it. just constantly reassure your horse and give him treats so he thinks hang on, this isnt so bad!!
good luck!
2006-12-09 01:31:08 · answer #6 · answered by Lizzie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to do my gelding twice a year. Are you doing it properly and gently? I never had a problem with it. At an absolute last resort you may have to twitch him but it may be best to ask someone to show you how they do it.
2006-12-06 23:07:05 · answer #7 · answered by fenlandfowl 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I did my gelding's a couple times a year. I did it while grooming him or when he was busy eating in his stall. I guess you could cross tie him and have another person there giving him treats while you are doing the dirty deed.
2006-12-06 23:08:23 · answer #8 · answered by Glenda H 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I relax my boy by softly grooming him and gently talking to him. He likes his face being brushed so if i rhythmically and slowly rub a cloth over his face and cuddle his face, he totally chills and relaxes and then his little man relaxes and "pops out" so to speak. i then gently work down from brushing his face, down his shoulder, his belly, back legs then go in between back legs by his hocks and then reach forward and start doing your stuff. because he is so chilled and relaxed from the face stroking, he doesn't seem to mind.
Good luck (and remember to wash your hands after!! hee hee!)
2006-12-08 00:10:17 · answer #9 · answered by millayhighsociety 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
every year the equine dentist comes to check my horses teeth, to do this she sedates him, after she's done he's normally doppy for at least another hour, which i take full advantage of by pulling his mane and cleaning his sheath.
Less stress for us both. Result!
2006-12-09 10:15:36 · answer #10 · answered by beanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋