[Appylvr]

Last night I was out back talking to my neighbor and Teak just started spinning circles. Well, not spinning fast, but he had his nose to the ground and his front feet were staying in the same place while his back end was going in perfect circles. Looked just like when you make them turn on their haunches when riding.

I started talking to him and approached him, he seemed really uncomfortable, and when I put my hand on him he stopped moving. But then he started stomping his back foot and swishing his tail.

I was thinking colic, until I noticed the way he was stomping his foot looked like something was bothering him. So I leaned down to look and he had a BIG piece of smegma? hanging out of his sheath. So I thought maybe that's bothering him? I picked it off and when I walked away he didn't do the circles anymore.

Then about an hour later (I was still talking to her) he started doing it again. I went back over to him and started picking stuff off. Usually if I bug him "down there" he hates it and raises his leg (like he's going to kick) and walks away. But last night he just loved it. He was stretching his neck out like when you get a good place to scratch.

So I figured he was doing it because he's dirty. He just got cleaned really good about a month ago, but he feels (and smells) just as dirty again. I've heard most geldings should be cleaned like 2x a year... do some need to be more often? Like every few months?

When I mentioned it to my mom she said she's seen him doing the exact same thing before. But she never did anything to see why he was. (She can't stand him)

[Heavenly Jumper]

Maybe he was trying to use centrifugal force to get the yuckies out?!

Wierd...*scratches head*

*sings sheath cleaning song*

[skysthelimit]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyJumper

Maybe he was trying to use centrifugal force to get the yuckies out?!

Wierd...*scratches head*

*sings sheath cleaning song*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That's it!


Give his nini a good scrub and see what he does. If he quits for a good while, then that's it! And you never know- he may need a hose down there once a month. most horses don't, but I don't think it would hurt him at all to rinse it once a month if it gets dirty quickly.~Brit

[Appylvr]

I was thinking of doing the hose last night, but it was already after 9pm and I figured it was too late.

That sheath cleaning song is pretty funny! My persuaded my neighbor's to do the deep cleans for me so far... I paid them. But the lower parts I can do myself.

[freedomrider]

I actually have seen this. A friend of a friend had a mare that actually dug holes in her pasture doing this. Turned out she had some neurological problem and had to be put down.

Some of the holes got to be about a foot deep. It was really, really sad to see.

I'm sure this is not what is wrong with your horse, but should the behaviour continue, have him checked by the vet ASAP.

[Appylvr]

That's awful about your friend's horse freedomrider! How sad.

I'm almost positive that isn't what's wrong with Teak. My mom said she has seen him do it twice and this is the first time I've seen it. I've had him since he was born and he's almost 3 1/2 years old.

I'm definately keeping my eyes open, though. It was pretty scary not knowing what might be wrong. He's my baby, if it was something that bad I don't know what I'd do.

[pantha11]

I would suggest you take his vitals, temp, pulse, capillary count.

Does he seem tucked....(sunk in at the flanks), do the pinch test and make sure he is not dehydrated....(pick up a bit of skin on his neck and let go, if it drops staight down he is not dehydrated, if it takes some time then he may be dehydrated).

Would also watch his mouth, is he grinding his teeth, yawning alot, or twitching at the corners of his mouth (even slightly), these can indicate pain.
I would also Keep a close eye on his urine/wee and faecus/poo output, and water and feed intake.
He may have an infection in the kidneys or his sheath, or it may by what freedomrider said, a neurological issue.
I would also be watching for colic.
Digging, spinning, pawing, swishing the tail, can all be sign of irritabilty.

I would get him checked by a vet asap.

[TrueColoursFarm]

I know that GG gets pretty dirty "up there" and even though he is washed thoroughly prior to breeding - either Live Cover or AI - I still end up needing to wash him other than that several times per year, so heck - on average - he would probably be washed 50 or 60 times per season in total and when I am grooming him even a few days after his last sheath cleaning, I see that he is starting to collect debris in there once again so personally - I dont think that once or twice a year is enough for them ...

And in GG's case, because he is so light skinned - you see everything collecting in the folds and crevices. With darker skinned/haired horses - you cant see it as well, but it doesnt mean that the same dirt and debris isnt still there ...

[Appylvr]

Well, he's been fine ever since. Hasn't shown any more weird behavior.

So on my next day off he's going to be cleaned again. I wanted a filly so badly.......

[AppalosaCowGirl]

hey so what is the sheeth cleaning song?

Caesar needs to be done I thought maybe I would make it a party.. and have my friend come over with her gelding... lol

anywho that is really weird