Abnormal Sheath Buildup

I have searched the Internet and asked everyone I know about the abnormal sheath buildup on my 17-year-old palomino gelding. Ever since we bought him, we noticed a large, crusty buildup all over him.
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 I have searched the Internet and asked everyone I know about the abnormal sheath buildup on my 17-year-old palomino gelding. Ever since we bought him, we noticed a large, crusty buildup all over him. We have been cleaning him once a month for three years because within four weeks, he is crusty and dirty again. We use a sheath cleaner every six months, and we use Vaseline or baby oil between times as we do not want to use that harsh stuff every time.

Everything I have read says that you do not clean them this much, and nothing I have read tells me why this horse has this abnormal buildup. Can you help me? We think he might be proud cut–could that have something to do with it? I also own a stallion, and he only needs to be cleaned once every six months or so. He also has a raised red area–what might this be? Could it have something to do with the buildup?

Great questions. I'll try to answer them in the order you presented them.

The amount of normal smegma varies greatly from horse to horse. Not only does the amount vary, but the quality/texture of the smegma will vary as well. Some horses will have dry and scaly smegma residue on their penis shaft, while many others will have moist and sometimes offensively smelling smegma in their prepuce and on the penis itself

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Written by:

Benjamin Espy, DVM, Dipl. ACT (boarded in equine reproduction), has practiced veterinary medicine in Texas and Kentucky. He has been licensed to practice acupuncture for nine years and is on numerous AAEP committees and task forces. Espy serves on the alternative therapy committee for the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and he’s an animal treatment consultant for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

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