Very 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
Sheath Feels Thick & Lumpy
Summary
Your gelding's sheath feels thickened, irregular or lumpy.
The normal equine sheath produces smegma, a fatty and pasty secretion. Some accumulation of smegma in a horse's sheath is normal. Commonly, smegma accumulates into large clumps which can be felt within the sheath as hard knots, even through the outside skin. In most cases, smegma accumulation with some clumping is not harmful, although the development of a large "bean" at the end of the penis can cause problems and should be removed.
Tumors can also develop in this area and can feel similar. In this case, early diagnosis and treatment is preferred for the best outcome. Actual infection of the sheath is rare. Swollen, thickened sheaths are more common in overweight horses.
The normal equine sheath produces smegma, a fatty and pasty secretion. Some accumulation of smegma in a horse's sheath is normal. Commonly, smegma accumulates into large clumps which can be felt within the sheath as hard knots, even through the outside skin. In most cases, smegma accumulation with some clumping is not harmful, although the development of a large "bean" at the end of the penis can cause problems and should be removed.
Tumors can also develop in this area and can feel similar. In this case, early diagnosis and treatment is preferred for the best outcome. Actual infection of the sheath is rare. Swollen, thickened sheaths are more common in overweight horses.
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Code Yellow
Contact Your Vet at Your Convenience for an Appointment- If the results of the Whole Horse Exam (WHE) suggest the horse is otherwise normal.
your role
What To Do
Assess and clean the horse's sheath yourself or ask your vet to do it. If the lumps persist after all the clumps of smegma have been removed, then there may be a tumor or other mass. If you have any questions about the feel or appearance of the sheath, contact your vet.
Skills you may need
Procedures that you may need to perform on your horse.
your vet's role
Periodic sheath cleaning by a vet, encourages expert 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. Vets typically tranquilize horses for sheath examination and cleaning. This drops the penis and provides much better visualization of the penis and sheath.
Questions Your Vet Might Ask:
- Do you routinely clean the horse's sheath?
- Does the horse show pain when pressure is applied to the area?
- Does your horse seem normal otherwise?
- Do you notice any swelling of the 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