Is it wrong that I suspect the worst of this?? (I should mention, the recent story of the guy who broke into the barn to perform oral sex on a mare happened in the next county over from here…)
On a very sensitive horse, who was prone to cow kick anyway, I found that Excalibur irritated him, and then I had a real battle.
Now I use gobs of Furacin, let it soften for an hour, then easily wash out with a bucket or warm water. Horse loves it.
I also, on above cow kicking horse, used a thing I found at the grocery store for washing dishes, pieces of sponge tied in a “bouquet” on a long handle. When the horse kicks, you leave it in there and then can grab the handle again and resume.
Where did I read that KY jelly applied before the horse is ridden will soften and help cleaning after the ride. Plus it does not have to be rinsed as thoroughly as Excalibur. Did I dream this? My daughter uses Excalibur, but once could not rinse it completely and he was rubbing his tail a lot until she could get back to him.
FalseImpression, that’s correct. I have a gallon of OB lube I use.
OMG! I cannot imagine paying for a sheath cleaning. I’ve always done my own horses, and those of friends’ horses. I do make them buy the Excalibur and rubber gloves, since I only bare hand my own horses.
If OP was in GA, I’d have done it free. It’s not a big deal if you keep the sheath and penis sparkly clean all the time. :lol:
btw, if your horse is shy or cow kicks, start out by spraying a light spray of water into the sheath. It distracts the horse while you are cleaning the smegma out of the sheath.
Every clinic I’ve worked in we’ve done it as a courtesy if the horse was already sedated. I caution against Excalibur or other products, if you don’t rinse thoroughly it can be irritating or even really scald them. Warm water and a pair of gloves work just as well.
I feel compelled to add that for an extra $35 when my gelding’s teeth are done, my vet does a VERY thorough job of it.
I had it done recently during a vaccination clinic at my barn by a different vet. I had to pay for the sedation, and all the vet tech did was check for the bean! Everything else was left all peeling and gross! Really, for the cost of sedation and the cleaning, I expect the whole thing to be CLEAN:)
I would do it myself, except my gelding is older, was clearly never taught to have it done (it was awful and full of beans when I got him), and does not cooperate.
[QUOTE=FalseImpression;6352115]
Where did I read that KY jelly applied before the horse is ridden will soften and help cleaning after the ride. Plus it does not have to be rinsed as thoroughly as Excalibur. Did I dream this? My daughter uses Excalibur, but once could not rinse it completely and he was rubbing his tail a lot until she could get back to him.[/QUOTE]
I do that. No worries about residue. (Just don’t get the “warming” KY!)
Here’s a copy of what I just paid for which included bean removal among other things.
Farm Call - 50.00
6/1/2012 Sedation 35.00
3mg Dorm 3mg Torb IV
6/1/2012 Dental Float 15.00
Tartar build up on upper L molars - removed with pick. Expired molar arcade with mildly loose upper
middle L molar 208. Loose and infected 108. 2 upper R incisors and 1 lower incisor remaining. They are
non-occlusal but not diseased or loose.
Reduced grinding surface of 208 to allow use but decrease load in an attempt to enlongate life of tooth.
Cleaned ears and removed bean.
6/1/2012 Extraction 50.00
Removed loose and infected upper middle R molar 108. Removed remaining root with pick.
6/1/2012 Bute Injection 10.00
2g IV
6/1/2012 Uniprim 200g 25.00
TOTAL WITHOUT TAX: 185.00
TAX1 0.00
TOTAL THIS VISIT: 185.00
[QUOTE=ksojerio;6352808]
Here’s a copy of what I just paid for which included bean removal among other things.
Farm Call - 50.00
6/1/2012 Sedation 35.00
3mg Dorm 3mg Torb IV
6/1/2012 Dental Float 15.00
Tartar build up on upper L molars - removed with pick. Expired molar arcade with mildly loose upper
middle L molar 208. Loose and infected 108. 2 upper R incisors and 1 lower incisor remaining. They are
non-occlusal but not diseased or loose.
Reduced grinding surface of 208 to allow use but decrease load in an attempt to enlongate life of tooth.
Cleaned ears and removed bean.
6/1/2012 Extraction 50.00
Removed loose and infected upper middle R molar 108. Removed remaining root with pick.
6/1/2012 Bute Injection 10.00
2g IV
6/1/2012 Uniprim 200g 25.00
TOTAL WITHOUT TAX: 185.00
TAX1 0.00
TOTAL THIS VISIT: 185.00[/QUOTE]
What planet do you live on?! I need to move there–that is SUPER CHEAP!!! 
For sheath cleaning, I use Orvis shampoo since it is the least irritating shampoo for soft water(that we have in my area).
I get a dose of ace/rompun for my shy welsh cob, who gets quite nasty.
My grey 1/2 arab(4yr old) is really clean and hasn’t been done yet in his life. But he drops easily when being groomed.
I use Orvis for regular bathing on my horses. I only use Quic Silver, on my grey’s multi-colored tail(black, silver and yellow) often before I have a show to take him to.
How often should you clean the sheath also
I charge up to $55 for single horse, as low as $35 with multiples.
OP, the vet is telling you they’d rather not do sheaths.
But folks: PLEASE do not leave Excalibur unrinsed! Especially if you’re hunting for beans, but even if not. Ugh… shudder I can’t imagine.
I think my vet used some kind of oil. What is most commonly used. My geldings don’t drop, or at least they won’t drop when I try to clean them…just pull it up further. How much ace to use on a gelding. I thought I heard numerous times not to give “boys” ace because it might make them not “retract” again.
the orvus is really hard to get out. it lathers so much. But it sure works. Maybe I’ll try that.
[QUOTE=blueribbonpanel;8251669]
I think my vet used some kind of oil. What is most commonly used. My geldings don’t drop, or at least they won’t drop when I try to clean them…just pull it up further. How much ace to use on a gelding. I thought I heard numerous times not to give “boys” ace because it might make them not “retract” again.
the orvus is really hard to get out. it lathers so much. But it sure works. Maybe I’ll try that.[/QUOTE]
Ace and “limp d**K syndrome” is one of those “horse myths” that has been around for years. I have a lot of experience using Ace on colts and geldings. Have never had one drop let alone left it hanging after the fact. One of the leading vets I use, the go to vet for one of the leading racehorse trainers in the country said the same thing. He uses Ace with permission on many extremely well bred colts with high dollar stallion value.
I suppose if you gave him 5ccs it would let loose. But so would the rest of the horse.
I am sure there are exceptions. But I have yet to come across one.
I have never had any horses be much of a problem cleaning them. But considering I breed, raise, start and train. My idea of a problem horse maybe a lot different than the average horse owner. We just use Orvus or Dawn dish washing soap and rinse really well.
[QUOTE=blueribbonpanel;8251669]
…<snip>…the orvus is really hard to get out. it lathers so much. But it sure works. Maybe I’ll try that.[/QUOTE]
FORTHELUVOFALLTHAT’SHOLY…NO!!!
Orvus? Srsly? Go clean your own hoo-haa with Orvus and report back to us how that feels, kay?
No folks. Betadine solution, rinsed well or better yet personal lube. Like KY. But the Walmart brand works just as well. On 4x4 gauze dipped in CLEAN warm water from a bucket.
And, you’ll continue to use Ace on stallions until you have to spend weeks/ months massaging and treating an erection that won’t go away. It absolutely DOES happen.
The cost for sheath cleaning:
- A box of sugar cubes: $2
- KY Jelly: a few $
- gloves: ~$0.50/pair(if you buy a big box)
My horse disliked having his sheath area touched, so I worked with him using sugar cubes as treats to get him to accept it. Every time he dropped and let me sponge his privates off, he got a sugar cube. Now he waits patiently because he knows that his good behavior will get him more treats. lol.
My TB gelding was purchased 10 years or so ago from a woman who said 'you can do ANYTHING" with him except clean his sheath. Drugs are your friend. "
She was spot on. over the years I’ve included the big event with dentals where he gets injected sedation and he still fusses and is not fully cooperative. He is 25+ and has neuro symptoms from cervical arthritis. Just a few weeks ago I saw him knocked out for the dentist and when the vet reached down he still tried to kick, wobbled around on his hind end and was generally non-cooperative. It is worth any price to avoid my personal involvement!
On the other hand I’m leasing a stallion and he may be at his happiest when you fiddle around with his privates, lol!
I use KY or the equivalent to clean sheaths. The pony is rather shy, and won’t drop, so it becomes a hide and seek mission. I slather quite a bit of KY on my hand and try to get it into every nook and crany. I leave him eating hay in his stall and then go back on the hide and seek mission to get all of the goop out. Sometimes he will let me get the bean out, sometimes not. I usually clean him 2-3 times a year.
My OTTB drops as soon as he hears the mint wrapping crinkle. He gets a treat before, during and after. I apply the KY, put him back in the stall to munch a while, and then get back to cleaning.
I’m not sure how often I clean him, it depends on how grungy he looks. He might get cleaned 3-4 times a year, depending.
I do my boys while they are sedated after a teeth float/vet visit. Most of my geldings will drop while waiting in the stall for the sedation to wear off anyway. It is a part of the vet assembly line as I call it here
