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This is another one of those weird, but (maybe) true posts.
Did you read that bit in the March edition of Equus about that squeaky, grunty sound that geldings make? The Equus consultant who answered the reader's question claims to know. She said that it is likely made the same way as when little boys stick their hands in their arm pits to make fart sounds. What?! Apparently, when a gelding's crusty doodad bounces around inside the sheath, out comes that grunty, squeaky sound. She said the creation of the sound involves "a moving object, some air, and a semi-closed space." Huh?!? Okay ... so I ran this by my vet when Speedy G was there for his annual spring visit. She said that yes, that is a possible explanation of where the sound comes from. The Equus consultant pointed out that cleaning the doodad and sheath can reduce irritation which allows the horse to move in a more relaxed way which can eliminate the sound. The dressage connection? ... well, seems fairly obvious since relaxation is the second tier in the Pyramid of Training. And with that, here is a snippet of Speedy getting his doodad cleaned.
Susan Pugh
3/23/2011 01:07:29 pm
Karen, you are so cute. Who else would publish a video of her horse getting his doodaa cleaned. When my old guy was about a year old I cleaned him for the first time. He loved it and he still does. When I was through I noticed my husband watching so I walked into the house and said as I walked down the hall, "nothing like a little sheath cleaning to cement the bond between a woman and her horse". He wasn't sure how he was supposed to react to that.
Karen
3/23/2011 10:40:42 pm
Sue - first, thank you for checking out the site! Second - my intention for this blog is to share my dressage journey while incorporating any endurance tips that I know AND talk about equine health and practices. I think there are a lot of people who have never cleaned their horse's sheath or have never seen it done. Like my husband - like YOUR husband! So, in the interest of science and education, the world got to see poor Speedy getting his doodad cleaned. Comments are closed.
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About the Writer and RiderI am a lifelong rider.
I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010. Welcome to my dressage journey. 
Photo by Lori Ovanessian
About Speedy GSpeedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
July 2020 (PC AJSK Photography)
About IzzyIzzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
March 2021 (PC Tess Michelle Photography)
Bakersfield Dressage approved!
My favorite breeches!
FOR THE SMALLER EQUINE ATHLETE
I love her stuff!
Watercolor Artist and Friend
National Rider Awards
USDF Bronze Medal - 2020
USDF Second Level Rider Performance Award - 2018
USDF First Level Rider Performance Award - 2015
USDF Training Level Rider Performance Award - 2013
State Rider Awards
CDS Ruby Rider Award - 2018
State Horse Awards
Speedy G - 3rd Level Horse Performance Award - 2020
Speedy G - 2nd Level Horse Performance Award - 2018
Working Towards:
CDS Sapphire Rider Award Third Level: 63.514% Third Level: 62.105% Fourth Level: Fourth Level: 2023 Show Season
Show Rating (***) CDS/USDF/USEF (*) CDS (s) Schooling (c) Clinic (r) Ride-a-Test Clinic 2023 Show Schedule
TBD 2023 Completed … Pending 2023 Qualifying Scores
Regional Adult Amateur Competition (RAAC) Qualifying Training Level 3 Scores/2 Judges/60%: Score 1: Score 2: Score 3: Archives
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