What happens when you geld a horse?
Gelding a horse simply means castrating him. Gelding a horse isn’t much different than neutering a dog or cat, except the vet comes to you. The animal is sedated, then small incisions are made in the scrotum and the testicles are popped out, tubes and veins severed and closed, and voila, your stallion is now a gelding.
What is the best age to castrate a horse?
It is our preference to perform the castration when the colt is between 6-18 months old. This is because we feel that the younger the colt is when castrated, the fewer problems there are. Generally, younger colt foals tend to recover faster from the operation, and have fewer post-operative complications.
What does it mean when a horse has a castration?
In some horses, the timing of castration is accelerated due to a condition referred to as cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism is the retention of one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) testicles. A horse that is cryptorchid is also referred to in layman’s terms as a “ridgling,” a “rig” or a “high flanker.”
Is it better to castrate a gelding or a stallion?
Mature stallions have larger testicles and blood vessels, which can make the procedure problematic. Some owners prefer to castrate horses as foals, which can mean fewer stabling, training, and behavioral issues. Gelded youngsters can be managed together, instead of in separate groups, and are easier to handle than young stallions.
Can a gelding be put under sedation for a castration?
Science trumps tradition when it comes to gelding male horses. Advantages to standing sedation castrations include avoiding potential issues associated with putting a horse under anesthesia. Most horse industry circles agree: Geld male horses young, unless they are gifted with athletic or genetic greatness and destined for breeding careers.
How long should a gelded horse be quarantined after castration?
Therefore, gelded mature horses should be quarantined from mares for 14 to 30 days post-surgery. Horse owners can promote equine welfare by becoming educated on castration practices and working proactively to address widespread concerns of the unwanted horse.
