swollen sheath

Just had this happen with both my geldings about a month ago. One had an obvious insect bite on the side. His swelled more on the bite side and lasted several days. 
The other had no obvious bite and swelled more overall. I iced him for a day, (no he didn't mind[8D]) because I needed him for a trail ride. The swelling was gone by the end of the ride.

The second would have really scared me had it not been for seeing the bite on the first.

Ahhh, sheath cleaning.  A subject Colonel has caused me to become very familiar with.  He gets beans and I have to go 'bean picking' on a very regular basis.  I bought something called a 'calf feeder'.  It is a plastic bag with a hose (has an on off clamp on it) and a wand about a foot long with a padded tip.  As per instructions from my vet, use bath hot water.  One bag is enough if you do it frequently, but have a bucket of more handy for the first time.

 Use baby shampoo, it is much easier to use than the commercial sheath cleaners.  Warm the shampoo on your hand, work it around, you can use a towel (I like small, cheap wash cloths) and get out as much of the black crap as you can.  Rinse and lather as you see fit.  The beans are in the opening at the end of the penis (it is amazing how far you can reach in there).  I work them out with the tip of my finger (he does not care for this part).  I understand you can sort of pinch and squeeze and get them out that way, but haven't tried it yet.

Make sure you rinse thoroughly.  My vet said you can apply some mineral oil afterwards so that he doesn't dry out too much, but I haven't had to yet.

As DaneHaven said, exercise helps.  If the swelling has underlying causes, exercise along with being clean can really help.  While in there, check for lumps or things that don't feel like they belong.  If you find them, call the vet.

My other gelding has a fat sheath, needs regular cleaning, and seems to be just one of those horses who has a fat sheath...maybe because he is a bit overweight.  Whereas Colonel thinks sheath cleaning is a pleasant part of life, Harly is easier to do with someone at his head.  (he gets better each time I do this)  Having someone head him is handy because then they can hold the water bag and you can direct them to hold it higher or lower to regulate the flow and you don't have to mess with the on/off clamp.  Another plus being that you have both hands free.

I do this in an empty stall so I don't attract the attention of passersby.  


I stand at their side, with my back toward their head.  This way I can see if a hind foot is headed my way and it is  not easy for them to reach you when you are standing there.  In the beginning, Harley would not kick, but would actually attempt to push my hand/arm away with his foot.  It was not a kick, it was actually a push.  I stand on the near side, use one hand in and one and on the back so I can feel movement in time to get out of the way if he really does decide to kick.  If you are observant, know your horse, and have a competent helper, it is easier to use both hands, on for the water wand and one for the cleaning inside.

If this doesn't help you, maybe it will help someone else.  Have a great day and I hope your horse gets better soon.  

Remember,  a call to the vet in the beginning can be, and usually is, cheaper than a major problem down the road.

2 of our 3 geldings have had this recently from tick bites. Our vet recommended ANIMAX OITMENT which worked welled.  In our cases they did not seem sensitive and didn't mind us messing with them.