Very Common
Less Common
You also might be observing
Observation
What you see. The starting point for addressing any equine health related issue is your observation.
YOU ARE OBSERVING
Urine Spatters or Sprays in Male Horse
Summary
Normal geldings and stallions relax and drop their penis to urinate. If urine spatters out of the end of the dropped penis, it likely indicates an obstruction to urine flow near the tip of the penis, most commonly a large "bean" (accumulation of smegma). Tumors or other growths can also interfere with urine flow and cause this sign.
Sometimes, the penis does not relax out of the sheath during urination, and urine splatters out of the end of the sheath. This likely relates to a horse's inability to drop the penis from the sheath, due to some condition that restricts normal movement of the penis within the sheath.
Sometimes, the penis does not relax out of the sheath during urination, and urine splatters out of the end of the sheath. This likely relates to a horse's inability to drop the penis from the sheath, due to some condition that restricts normal movement of the penis within the sheath.
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Code Orange
Call Your Vet at Their First Available Office Hours- If sheath swelling or a sheath lesion is obvious, in addition to this sign.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If you consider this a chronic and relatively mild problem that is not changing rapidly.
your role
What To Do
Assess the penis and sheath, and clean it if possible. If the urine spattering continues after a cleaning, or you have any other concerns given your evaluation or efforts contact your vet. They will evaluate the area in attempt to determine the underlying cause.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Vets typically tranquilize horses for sheath examination and cleaning. This drops the penis and provides much better visualization of the penis and sheath.
Periodic sheath cleaning, by a horse owner or a vet, encourages visual inspection of the penis and sheath. Problems such as tumors (that affect this region frequently) can therefore be diagnosed and treated early, improving prognosis and lessening treatment costs.
Periodic sheath cleaning, by a horse owner or a vet, encourages visual inspection of the penis and sheath. Problems such as tumors (that affect this region frequently) can therefore be diagnosed and treated early, improving prognosis and lessening treatment costs.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Does your horse drop his penis down when he urinates?
- Are you able to see or feel a bean or mass near the end of the penis?
- What is the horse's age, sex, breed and history?
- Is the horse a stallion or a gelding?
- Do you notice any abnormalities of the penis or sheath?
- What are the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE)?
Diagnostics Your Vet May Perform
Figuring out the cause of the problem. These are tests or procedures used by your vet to determine what’s wrong.
Diagnoses Your Vet May Consider
The cause of the problem. These are conditions or ailments that are the cause of the observations you make.
Treatments Your Vet May Recommend
A way to resolve the condition or diagnosis. Resolving the underlying cause or treating the signs of disease (symptomatic treatment)
Very Common
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health