Cleaning your male horse’s sheath is never a favorite task for a horse owner, but it is a crucial part of horse care. Before you begin this messy task, it is best to become acquainted with the terms associated with sheath cleaning. The biggest question you probably have is, “what is a horse bean?”
What is a horse bean?
A horse bean is a accumulation of smegma that forms on the tops of a horse’s penis. It is usually pretty hard and can be very uncomfortable.
Horse smegma is a natural protective substance for the horse penis and sheath skin. Some horses create more smegma than others for unknown reasons. If a horse’s penis accumulates too much smemga on the tip, it can form a horse bean.
How big is a horse bean?
Although a horse bean can have a variety of shapes, this smegma formation is commonly oval, hence the name “bean.” A horse bean may be as small as an eraser, the size of a lima bean, or as large as a walnut.
Are horse bean’s dangerous?
If the bean grows too big, it can irritate the skin and cause an infection. If you feel a solid mass at the tip of your horse’s penis, it is most likely a bean that must be removed manually. It will only grow, so it is best to deal with it sooner rather than later. When they urinate, the stream sometimes goes sideways. This is another sign of a possible bean. The force of the urine stream will sometimes dislodge the bean, but not always.
Some horses can form a bean that is as hard as a rock. If you discover a hard bean on your horse, remove it and clean your horse more frequently to prevent smegma accumulation in the future.
Horse sheath bean
The presence of smegma does not necessitate cleaning of the sheath. The average horse’s sheath doesn’t need to be cleaned often; once or twice a year should suffice. Some cleaning methods popularized by horse owners may cause more harm than good to your horses. More frequent cleaning may be required for horses that accumulate a large amount of smegma.
Your horse may have excess smegma if there is visible smegma on the outside of its sheath, hind legs, or belly near the sheath.
Signs that your horse has a bean
The main symptoms of a horse bean are change in urine flow, obvious discomfort during urination, a swollen sheath, and a reluctance to urinate.
Cleaning a horse’s sheath
You will almost certainly need to sedate your horse to clean his sheath. Another option is to have the job done by a veterinarian.
One thing to remember is that the horse’s sheath is normally populated with beneficial bacteria. You don’t want to disrupt this healthy balance by cleaning the sheath too frequently or using a harsh cleaner. The mission is to make the procedure as quick and easy as possible. Keeping this in mind, avoid using antiseptic or surgical scrubs such as betadine, cold water, vigorous scrubbing, or a hose.
The reproductive health of horses observed in the wild is the best proof that sheath cleaning is completely unnecessary. These horses, who have never had their sheaths cleaned, have recorded conception rates of up to 85%. In comparison, domestic horses who have their sheaths cleaned frequently often have only a 70% conception rate. To learn more, check out my article on how do wild horses clean their sheath?
When should you clean a horse’s sheath?
When a horse has a wound in the area, has had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor, has a skin problem caused by equine herpesvirus, or has squamous cell carcinoma, sheath cleaning may be medically recommended.
How to clean a horse’s sheath?
To clean your horse’s sheath effectively and safely, follow these steps:
- Wear a pair of disposable gloves, preferably obstetric exam gloves. The smell of smegma can last for a very long time, and the sheath area contains bacteria, so wear gloves to keep your hands and arms clean.
- Pick up a paper towel dampened with warm water and squeeze a tiny amount of commercial sheath cleaner into your gloved hand. You can also use mineral oil or mild dish soap. When the horse’s penis falls, whether because of sedatives or relaxation, gently hold the end of your horse’s penis in one hand and run the other hand along the shaft of the penis to soften smegma and flaky debris.
- Look for any abnormalities in the penis and sheath. Cancers such as sarcoids, melanomas, and squamous cell carcinoma are common in male horses in this area. The penis and sheath might also develop “summer sores” (habronemiasis). If your vet cleans the sheath, they will notice these problems in your horse. If you do your horse’s sheath cleaning, remember to notify your veterinarian right away if you notice any suspicious spots, sores, or lumps. Don’t worry if you notice flaky, peeling pieces of skin on your penis; these are simply shedding skin cells.
- After cleaning the shaft of the penis, look for the presence of a bean in the depression at the end. If you come across one, gently dislodge it with the tip of your gloved finger.
- Continue cleaning inside the sheath by applying small amounts of cleaner to your gloved hand and wiping it down with fresh damp paper towels or cotton. Even if the horse pulls back his penis, which many will do even if sedated, you can complete this part of the cleaning process.
- Once your paper towel is no longer dirty from the smegma, rinse with plain warm water to make sure that all of the sheath cleaner or soap is rinsed away. Use a clean paper towel afterward and pat the area dry.
- Throw away the used gloves and paper towels once you finish cleaning your horse’s sheath.
Conclusion
When cleaning a horse’s sheath, bear in mind that you only have a finite amount of time. So, when cleaning, try to be as quick and efficient as possible. Clean your horse’s penis first, check for a bean, and finally clean the sheath. Hopefully, this article helped you learn the best way to clean your horse’s sheath and the various horse care terms. You now understand what a horse bean is, and I hope this articles helps you care for your horse.
