Correct age to geld?

Ashstud · 01-31-2007, 07:50 AM

I'm not sure if the risks are higher or not.

We usually geld between 6 months and 18 months. We actually have a colt that we were going to keep entire, but hubby has decided to geld him, he is just turned 2. We have no problems at all.

HOWEVER, due to a tragedy for a local family, we gave them one of our foals as a wedding present. The problem was he needed to be gelded before we handed him over. The vet did the job at 5 weeks of age and as the colt stood up, his intestines started to fall out.

Apparently there is a ring in the abdomen that the testies come through, in this particular colt, his ring was quite large, large enough to let his intestines through. If he had been allowed to grow and gelded at a later age when he was bigger in body size, it would not have happened.

SkyeTiger · 01-31-2007, 08:07 AM

[quote=Blistering Winds]
But again, usually because of inept vets (which for gelding, I haven't seen a TRUE case nor heard of any in a long time) or "home castration attempts"[/quote]

WOW that is a scary thought.

Ashstud · 01-31-2007, 08:36 AM

Many people who are genuine horsemen are quite knowledgeable in the art of castration.

I would surely hope it isn't the average Joe Blow having a go, but a horseman with a lifetime of experience.

SalemsMom · 01-31-2007, 08:48 AM

We have a lot of backyard castrations here,and a lot of horses ruined,just because joe blow,knew how to castrate hogs,he thought he knew how to geld his stud to.I've seen so many proud cut horses here,that are just plain nuts around other horses,I know,we had one of them,he tried to kill one of our mares,and then went after our stud.

Blistering Winds · 01-31-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SalemsMom

We have a lot of backyard castrations here,and a lot of horses ruined,just because joe blow,knew how to castrate hogs,he thought he knew how to geld his stud to.I've seen so many proud cut horses here,that are just plain nuts around other horses,I know,we had one of them,he tried to kill one of our mares,and then went after our stud.

yep...we see them in this area

"OH I castrate cattle all the time...don't tell me I screwed up my horse's gelding"

vet....."Um...well, you did......that will be 350 dollars please....

doublebarr · 01-31-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashstud

Many people who are genuine horsemen are quite knowledgeable in the art of castration.

I think this is the key in "backyard" castration

Watch a vet enough, ask for coaching and then it is possible to do your own with a fully dropped horse and the correct equipment. And, the really, really good ones will do them standing. Makes for less stress on the horse.

SC Sonoma · 01-31-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dicey

"hormone production center"

I'm sorry .... but that made me snicker!

mustang_dodger · 01-31-2007, 10:37 AM

to me it depends on the horse. i have had my horses gelding as yearlings. that way they can grow up some more and fill out a little. my friend beth had her one horse gelded at three years, cause she was showing him and wanted him to get a little more muscle.

Lou3 · 01-31-2007, 10:53 AM

There is no "correct age" as such but a colt CAN be gelded as soon as both testicles have dropped. (or once you are certain a retained testicle is not going to drop) For a colt that is not going to be a stallion prospect then the earlier the better. We mostly cut ours in late september/early october when the flies are not too bad but the pasture is still good enough for them to be outside 24/7 depending on when they were born that makes them anywhere from 3 months to 7 months old.

itoshii/ · 01-31-2007, 12:11 PM

Quote:

The vet did the job at 5 weeks of age and as the colt stood up, his intestines started to fall out.

Awee...thats so sad.

01-31-2007, 08:07 AM	#12
SkyeTiger Senior Member+ Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: near Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9,243 Images: 1558 Blog Entries: 11	[quote=Blistering Winds] But again, usually because of inept vets (which for gelding, I haven't seen a TRUE case nor heard of any in a long time) or "home castration attempts"[/quote] WOW that is a scary thought. __________________ \\\Skye\\\ Team Edward AND Team Jacob. Livin' on the wild side!

01-31-2007, 10:37 AM	#18
mustang_dodger Senior Member+ Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: sterling illinois Posts: 18,370 Images: 561	to me it depends on the horse. i have had my horses gelding as yearlings. that way they can grow up some more and fill out a little. my friend beth had her one horse gelded at three years, cause she was showing him and wanted him to get a little more muscle. __________________ Proud owner of Smart Devil a registered appendix and registered paint mare Eye's White Feather.

01-31-2007, 10:53 AM	#19
Lou3 Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: england Posts: 9,281 Images: 36 Blog Entries: 1	There is no "correct age" as such but a colt CAN be gelded as soon as both testicles have dropped. (or once you are certain a retained testicle is not going to drop) For a colt that is not going to be a stallion prospect then the earlier the better. We mostly cut ours in late september/early october when the flies are not too bad but the pasture is still good enough for them to be outside 24/7 depending on when they were born that makes them anywhere from 3 months to 7 months old. __________________ Proud to be in the SBR Formula One Fan Club! I have been snowballed twice and its great fun!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Should I geld him>?	Hesten	Horse Breeding	65	07-23-2006 09:23 PM
To Geld, Or Not To Geld?	Lacie	Horse Breeding	36	04-03-2006 07:33 PM
When do you geld!!!!!!!	bsbcogburn	Horse Breeding	20	03-30-2005 08:09 AM
Age to Geld?	Super_Trooper	Horse Health	37	12-20-2004 03:33 PM
4 Questions - - To Geld or Not to Geld	WishIwasRiding	Horse Breeding	12	04-19-2004 09:07 AM

01-31-2007, 07:50 AM	#11
Ashstud Full Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sunny.Qld.....Australia Posts: 102 Images: 56	I'm not sure if the risks are higher or not. We usually geld between 6 months and 18 months. We actually have a colt that we were going to keep entire, but hubby has decided to geld him, he is just turned 2. We have no problems at all. HOWEVER, due to a tragedy for a local family, we gave them one of our foals as a wedding present. The problem was he needed to be gelded before we handed him over. The vet did the job at 5 weeks of age and as the colt stood up, his intestines started to fall out. Apparently there is a ring in the abdomen that the testies come through, in this particular colt, his ring was quite large, large enough to let his intestines through. If he had been allowed to grow and gelded at a later age when he was bigger in body size, it would not have happened.

01-31-2007, 08:36 AM	#13
Ashstud Full Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Sunny.Qld.....Australia Posts: 102 Images: 56	Many people who are genuine horsemen are quite knowledgeable in the art of castration. I would surely hope it isn't the average Joe Blow having a go, but a horseman with a lifetime of experience.

01-31-2007, 08:48 AM	#14
SalemsMom Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,788 Images: 6	We have a lot of backyard castrations here,and a lot of horses ruined,just because joe blow,knew how to castrate hogs,he thought he knew how to geld his stud to.I've seen so many proud cut horses here,that are just plain nuts around other horses,I know,we had one of them,he tried to kill one of our mares,and then went after our stud.