| There are great pleasures in owning horses and | | | | kicker, you will want to work on more exercises |
| there are some not so pleasant chores that need | | | | that address the kicking before continuing with |
| to be done. Some people opt to have their | | | | this exercise. |
| veterinarians handle the chore of sheath/udder | | | | We will start on the left side of the horse. You will |
| cleaning, which is fine. However, you need to | | | | take the rein/lead in your left hand and as much |
| make sure your horse is taught to accept the | | | | as possible, keep your body by the horse's |
| cleaning process before the vet arrives. Most | | | | shoulder as if to mount. This will keep you the |
| mare owners decide to take on udder cleaning | | | | safest if the horse decides to kick out to the side. |
| themselves, as udders are simple to maintain. | | | | You will bring your horses' head as much to the |
| Alternately, gelding owners can have a more | | | | left with the left hand as you can without the |
| daunting task. | | | | horse stepping to the right with its hip. You will |
| You may want the veterinarian to start you out | | | | then take your right hand, begin sacking out the |
| or at least give you guidelines on sheath cleaning | | | | belly area, and work back to the sheath/udder. |
| such as the frequency, best cleanser to use or | | | | Do not try to leave your hand there if the horse |
| tricks he may have to make this job and | | | | is not comfortable. Do as before and take your |
| maintenance between cleanings easier. If you | | | | hand away before the horse reacts and slowly |
| wonder about the importance of such a task, I | | | | build up the amount of time you leave your hand |
| have heard stories of horses that have gotten | | | | at the sheath/udder. |
| urinary infections, maggot infestations, and sheath | | | | When the horse is comfortable with your hand, |
| infections from neglect. Therefore, it may seem | | | | you can introduce the water. Make sure it is |
| tedious, but it can save you a lot of real agony if | | | | warm water to start; we do not want to surprise |
| you let it go unchecked. | | | | the horse with cold water at this point. If you will |
| If you have already tried this task to no avail | | | | be using gloves and sponge, introduce these as |
| then try these exercises to get your horse | | | | you did your hand. Never assume the horse will |
| accepting the procedure. You will want to take | | | | be good with them because he was good with |
| your horse to an enclosed area, such as a round | | | | your hand. Always keep yourself in a safe position |
| pen or arena. You can stay in his stall if it is free | | | | when introducing something new. For the sheath, |
| of any protrusions that your horse could get hurt | | | | you will want to introduce the water to the inside |
| on. What you are going to do is sack out your | | | | and outside of the sheath. Some horses will be |
| horse with your hand. You can do this with the | | | | fine until you try to clean the inside so be sure to |
| halter on if you feel you have enough control or a | | | | keep the horses' head to the side you are on and |
| bridle with a full cheek snaffle and continuous rope | | | | keep yourself up by the shoulder as much as |
| reins if you need more control. | | | | possible. |
| Start by approaching your horse and rubbing his | | | | When the horse is comfortable with being |
| face and then walk away making a 'V' shape in | | | | touched in this area by water and your hand, you |
| front of him. Turn back around and have your | | | | can either continue and complete the washing |
| horse take at least one step toward you. | | | | lessons or leave the rest to the veterinarian. If |
| Continue this approach and retreat technique | | | | you choose to clean your horses' sheath, it may |
| continuing down your horses' sides. When you get | | | | be a good idea to have your vet go over all the |
| to and beyond the horse's shoulder, you should | | | | details and possibly show you how to get the |
| keep the horse's head facing the same side you | | | | sheath completely clean. |
| are on. This way if the horse tries to kick you | | | | When the horse accepts the water, you can |
| can bring his nose toward you with the lead rope | | | | introduce the cleanser. Again, do not just dive in; |
| or rein and that will take his hip away from you. | | | | only do as much at one time as the horse is |
| Alternate sides and go over every inch of your | | | | comfortable with adding a little more each time. |
| horses' body, saving the problem area for last. | | | | As soon as your horse understands you are not |
| Always keep yourself in a safe position to avoid | | | | going to hurt him, he should relax. There are |
| being kicked if your horse should have a strong | | | | many good sheath-cleaning products on the |
| reaction. | | | | market or you can simply cover your gloved |
| If you find other places your horse is not | | | | hand with baby oil and slowly work your way into |
| comfortable with you touching, you will want to | | | | the sheath applying the oil liberally as you go. The |
| stay working on that point until he is. You will run | | | | baby oil will help loosen any caked on dirt and |
| your hand over the area as quickly as you can | | | | debris and can be left without washing off. |
| without frightening the horse, but fast enough | | | | Alternatively, you can allow it to set for a few |
| that your hand is gone before the horse reacts. | | | | minutes then use a bucket of warm water and |
| Then you will gradually slow your hand down on | | | | sheath cleaner to wash it out. Then get a bucket |
| each approach until the horse is good with your | | | | or hose with warm water and rinse it well. Be |
| hand resting on the spot. If you cannot get to the | | | | sure to purchase a cleanser that will not irritate |
| spot then run your hand to the point you think he | | | | the horse if you cannot get it completely rinsed. |
| will leave and take your hand off just before that. | | | | Whether you take on the task yourself or call the |
| Then gradually get closer each approach. | | | | veterinarian, it is you responsibility to learn how |
| When your horse is comfortable with being | | | | often your horse needs to be cleaned. Each horse |
| touched everywhere but the sheath/udder area, | | | | is different but try to have it done at least four |
| you are ready to start working this area. You will | | | | times a year; some need it done once a month. If |
| treat it the same way as you did the rest of the | | | | you will provide your horse with this service you |
| horse but with extreme caution as you will be an | | | | will not only add to his comfort and health, you will |
| easy target for kicking. If your horse is a bad | | | | also have a happier partner. |