What is "smegma"?
Smegma is a collection of dirt and excretions builds up inside the sheath and must be removed for the sake of the horse's health. It is not the most pleasant thing to do, but it is essential.

What is a "bean"?
A firm lump of smegma that has collected and hardened inside the horse's penis. This lump or "bean" must be removed as often as possible. It can cause serious pain to your horse. There have been thousands cases in the last year where the bean is overlooked by the owner and becomes so large that the horse can no longer urinate...which may also cause other problems due to blockage.

How do you get your horse's penis to extract?
You can reach into the sheath, grasp the penis lightly and gently ease it out, or rub along the sheath in the area between the sheath and penis to get it to drop, OR you can tranquilize the horse. Once tranquilized, the penis usually becomes relaxed enough to extract on its own. However, this method is not recommended unless supervised by a veterinarian.
One of the most important things to remember when cleaning your horse's sheath is to be patient and gentle. Don't be in a rush. Never be rough with your horse's genitals, or you may end up injured. If he hasn't been taught to accept humans handling his genital area, it is very important that you teach him. He will have to periodically have his genitals cleaned throughout his entire life.

Five Sheath Cleaning Myths Debunked

Myth: It's a nasty job, but if I clean my horse's sheath frequently, it won't be as bad.
Fact: Your horse's sheath has a population of "friendly" microorganisms that help maintain a healthy balance within. If you clean it too frequently, you'll kill these microorganisms, disrupting this balance -- and your horse's sheath is likely to get even dirtier. It's best to clean his sheath every 6 to 12 months.

Myth: To really clean my horse's sheath, I should use an antibacterial soap, such as Betadine or chlorhexidine.
Fact: To protect those friendly microorganisms, never use antibacterial soap. Use a eZall Sheath Cleaner to cut through the grease, leave a more pleasant aroma, and make sheath cleaning easier. Warm water also helps cut grease -- and your horse will like it better.

Myth: My horse swishes his tail and sometimes raises a hind leg when I clean his sheath, but he'd never kick me.
Fact: Don't be so sure! Some horses really resent this procedure. They'll not only kick -- but they'll do so fast and hard. To be safe, stand well forward, by your horse's shoulder, and reach back to his sheath. If he continues to threaten you, he may need to be sedated by your veterinarian. (Tip: To save time and money, ask your vet to clean your horse's sheath during another routine procedure that involves sedation, such as dentistry.)

Myth: I can't clean my horse's sheath unless he drops his penis -- which he won't do unless he's sedated.
Fact: You can do a very thorough job even when your horse hasn't dropped -- simply by reaching up inside. In this case, you'll need to go in up to your elbow, so wear a long disposable glove to avoid getting the greasy, smelly smegma on your arm and sleeve. Ask your vet for an obstetrical glove -- it's perfect for the job. You'll also need a bucket of warm water and about 20 heavy-duty paper towels. To clean your horse's sheath, put a generous dollop of sheath cleaner in your hand, along with a wet towel. Reach up into your horse's sheath, and gently work the sheath cleaner into the entire area. When the towel gets soiled, grab a new one, and keep working until the towel comes back clean. Clean all the way from his sheath's opening up to the base of his penis. Depending on how dirty the sheath is, you may need to use additional cleaner as you go.

Myth: Once I've gotten rid of the grime, the job is done.
Fact: Not yet. Once you've removed the smegma, check for and remove the bean-a ball of whitish goo that forms within a small pocket at the tip of your horse's penis. If not removed, a bean can get as large as a walnut and obstruct urine flow, which can cause your horse discomfort and potential harm. If you don't know how to remove the bean, ask your vet to show you.

Finally, rinse thoroughly with clean water and clean towels. Or, if your horse will tolerate it, run the hose up inside his sheath. You'll know you've done a thorough job when the paper towel in your hand comes out as clean as it went in, and the rinse water runs clear.