How To Clean A Male Horse's Sheath

Grooming

Horse & Hound spoke to Tracey Freeman, who makes a living cleaning sheaths beyond the land

How did you get into sheath cleaning?

I had always cleaned my ain horses' sheaths and I just thought everyone did information technology routinely.

I am based at Gleniffer Stables near Maidenhead in Berkshire, which used to be run by the late Russell Pearson. I was the m director for many years and used to clean the 60 horses stabled on the yard.

It all started when a friend asked if I could clean her horse and I told her she could try doing information technology herself and her reply was "no, I couldn't do that!"

And then I went forth and cleaned her horse. She then recommended me to some other friend, and people started asking me to come up and clean their horses. I discovered a niche in the market that could also brand me coin.

I fix Sheath Cleaning Britain, charging £25 per session, and started a Facebook page, which received a great response and bright reviews, and it just went from at that place. It is now my full-time job and I am doing information technology 6 or 7 days a calendar week.

What is a 'bean'?

The 'bean' is the common name for a drove of smegma in the tip of the horse's penis. The tube that the urine passes through is called the urethra and only above the urethra is a pocket of space called the urethral fossa and this is where the build up of clay and crud happens, which results in hardened 'beans'. When the beans get so big, they interfere with the horse'southward ability to pass urine properly, which tin pb to all sorts of infections and kidney problems. Mostly, when horses have severe beans, they will be in obvious discomfort.

Why is it important to make clean your equus caballus's sheath?

Every male equus caballus will become beans and a build upward of smegma, due to the inevitable build up of grime. Having beans will cause your horse discomfort, a bit similar walking with a rock constantly in your shoe.

The signs that your horse needs his sheath cleaned include having problems passing urine and you lot will visibly see build up of smegma on the outside of the penis. Most horse owners will also exist able to feel the beans, although it is harder to remove them.

I have as well found a number of melanomas on horses through doing my task, some of which have been able to be treated and sadly some bigger tumours that couldn't — that is why it is important for owners to be aware of what is going on under there.

Ideally, for horses over the age of iv, you should clean the sheath once a year.

What's the biggest size edible bean you have seen?

The biggest bean I have removed was bigger than a l pence piece (pictured, below) — information technology was more like the size of a golf ball.

The feedback I get from owners is that their horses are so different in their temperament after having beans removed. They are more comfortable and happier within themselves.

Do you but care for geldings?

I mostly treat geldings, but I have as well cleaned a few stallions, and a donkey. Although the stallions cease up enjoying it far besides much!

I have clients across the disciplines, including ponies, ex-racehorses and showjumpers. I visit Robert Whitaker's yard to make clean his horses and have treated his superlative horse, Catwalk IV.

How do yous deal with tricky horses?

I would say that 99% of horses volition start off being hard but I can guarantee, if a horse has beans, they will stop being tricky pretty soon — information technology is almost similar they are asking you to remove the bean. They are often relieved directly away and visibly more comfortable. Sometimes horses need to be sedated by a vet first but that is rare.

What is the procedure involved in removing a edible bean?

There is strictly no scrubbing! You lot will frequently hear of owners scrubbing the sheath area with soapy water but this is the worst matter you can exercise.

Information technology is such a delicate area and you lot have to exist gentle. I use no chemicals or baby oil, because that just attracts grit. I simply use KY Jelly, a water-based lubricant, and vinyl gloves — never latex gloves.

I will often lubricate the sheath starting time and leave it for a bit while I treat some other equus caballus, and then by the time I have come dorsum to it, the beans will have loosened upward and they are easier to remove. Owners should not be picking the smegma off either.

I just spend a few minutes massaging the beans out — I e'er manage to get them out.

How did you go the proper noun 'The Edible bean Queen'?

It was after I had been to one yard and treated 16 horses and removed 16 beans. My hubby told me I was 'The Edible bean Queen' and then one possessor sent me a set of overalls with information technology written on the back and it just stuck.

What do you enjoy virtually nigh your task?

I have been cleaning sheaths for 29 years at present and it is a job that takes me all over the country — I was in the Isle of Wight recently. Yes, I am up to my artillery in muck each day, every day merely I love my job. It is and so important and I like that I am doing something for the welfare of the horse, I care for each horse like my ain. It is fun as well and I get to meet lots of new people. In a week, I can exist treating up to 100 horses.

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