Monday, February 29, 2016

Veterinary Management of Equine Reproduction: Gelding

I have never had an experience gelding a horse or being present for the surgery, although I have ridden and trained many geldings and I have cared for (not ridden/trained) any stallions. I have been present for other neutering surgeries. There may be many reasons to fix as stallion, and there are many complications. If the testicles are removed early, the colt will still develop properly. According to some books , a colt will grow to the same potential if gelded within the first few weeks it is alive (Schweizer, p. 302). It may be a common surgery, but if conducted when the stallion, is older, even as young as 2, the blood vessels have gotten very large and there is a larger blood supply. This could lead to hemorrhage if the stallion is castrated older. Also, by fixing the stallion now, you eliminate behavior problems because of him being intact. It can also make him have more stud like behavior of not done in time. The economics of owning a stallion are high, requiring time and energy to protect, select and keep stallions and to work with their behavior. After puberty they get more aggressive so it is good to address it now. Racehorses with large testicles can get pain in them if they run too fast too.


Mare, Foal and Stallion Care. The Horse Health Care Library. Schweizer, Christine. 2006. Blood Horse Publications.

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