Cleaning a horse’s sheath — whether a gelding or a stallion — is an important part of equine care, though it’s often misunderstood. Done properly and at the right intervals, it can support comfort, hygiene, and early detection of issues like lesions or beans (accumulations of smegma in the urethral fossa).
In an extensive video tutorial for HorseGrooms Insiders, veterinarian Dr. Melissa Restifo explains how to perform the procedure gently and effectively.
A good time to clean a horse’s sheath is when they are already sedated, for instance, during a dental appointment or clipping session. This allows for safer handling and easier access without added stress for the horse.
How Often Should You Clean a Sheath?
Dr. Restifo emphasizes that sheath cleaning does not need to be done frequently. In most cases, once or twice a year is sufficient. It’s a common misconception that visible pieces of smegma along the side of the penis mean the horse must be cleaned more often. In reality, these remnants may look unappealing to us, but they are not necessarily a problem for the horse.
In fact, over-cleaning can be harmful. Like humans, horses have a natural bacterial flora that lives in the sheath and helps maintain a healthy balance. Excessive cleaning or using harsh products can disrupt this flora, potentially leading to irritation or infection. For routine maintenance, plain water is often enough. Gentle soap should only be used sparingly, just a few times a year unless there’s a specific medical reason.
But Wait … There’s So Much More!
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Featured Photo courtesy of Arnd.nl.
Dinette Neuteboom is a Dutch-born equestrian, educator and lifelong equestrian journalist whose career spans continents and disciplines. As the founder of HorseGrooms, she combines decades of hands-on experience as a rider, groom, barn manager and trainer with her talent for storytelling to support and spotlight grooms worldwide. Dinette has worked in the Netherlands, Argentina, the U.S., China and New Zealand, and she serves as the press officer for the international horse show Indoor Friesland. Her mission is simple: to keep horsemanship alive. Through HorseGrooms, she creates resources and community spaces that empower grooms, advocate for horse welfare, and strengthen the foundation of the equestrian sport.
