Question from a future first time horse owner.?
I have never heard of a mare’s udders needing to be thoroughly cleaned, but sheath cleaning is VERY important. The gelding can become extremely uncomfortable if he is not cleaned regularly, and it’s horrifying to realize how many people do NOT clean their gelding’s sheaths at all; they are putting their horses at risk for major discomfort.
Sheath cleaning is something the vet will do for you if requested, and I think if you’re inexperienced at it, it would be a great idea to have the vet do it the first time and show you how. Most geldings are pretty OK with it, but some horses can get upset, and so it’s good to let someone else with lots of experience figure out if your horse is going to be fine, or freak out. Plus, if the previous owner didn’t clean well, or regularly, the vet can do a good thorough job to make sure you start off with a “clean slate”.