I recently took over the lease on a nice gelding. He was rubbing his tail, and his worming program was up to date so I thought he might need his sheath cleaned. The owner didn’t know the last time he’d been done. So I cleaned him up, and he really needed it. I found a bean, actually it felt like 2, wedged in beside the urethral opening. They were so big I couldn’t get either of them out without seriously hurting him, it seemed. Any tips on how to get them out? Or do I need to call my vet and have him do it?
You could try using some Ky jelly and rub it up in there and on your fingers to try and loosen it up and make them slide out more easily. If that doesn’t do the trick, the vet will be able to come out, sedate him, and remove them.
How big is so big? Try using some lube, like K-Y. Might even apply some and let it soak a few days then attempt to gently push them out. If the beans are really huge, might try something to break up the bean. Beans are oil based. Baby oil is not recommended on sheaths but maybe applying some gentle, fragrance and additive free oil (not sure what kind) only to the bean help dissolve it. Excalibur contains Tea Tree Oil which is used specifically to dissolve smegma. If you use Excalibur, don’t leave it on for a long time. Follow up with whatever you’re using to wash his sheath to remove all traces of oil.
What’s your method of getting them out? There’s kind of a flip to it, where you grab the tip top of the penis with your thumb and first finger and rotate your hand to draw the tip up while simultaneously pressing down with your first finger to pop the beans out. It’s quick and and effective. I didn’t realize this wasn’t universally known until recently, and trying to simply dig them out is rough.
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I do the flip, push and gently dig if necessary. Once you get the hang of it, it’s one quick motion before most horses even realize it 
Yes, they should pop right out, they are not stuck in there to anything, but loose, just some times packed tight.
If they are big, horses seem to be relieved when you get those out, they must feel pressure in there.
Most horses, if you are gentle, don’t mind sheath cleaning at all.
A friend cleans sheaths confined in the slant trailer and horses don’t seem to notice she is doing anything at all.
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All good tips. My boy is pretty easy to do. He usually drops during a good grooming so I make sure to have the lube ready and when he does I slather a good bit on. After this he usually draws it up so I let it sit in there for a bit to loosen everything then the rest is easy peasy. He actually seems to enjoy it and lets me get my index finger in to get out any beans he might have. I also make sure my finger nails are clipped, just to make sure I don’t scratch him at all.
I wish they were all as easy to clean as he is.
My guy drops after riding so I am able to keep him reasonably clean and pop beans out when they are smaller. It doesn’t seem to bother him at all.
