[kulasmom]

Okay, I need some outside opinions. I've talked about my colt on this board before. He is now coming on a year, and is starting to notice the ladies!! I have a serious dilemma, to geld or not to geld, that is my question. I've been reading other posts on here about castration, and I am pretty much aware of all of the benefits of gelding. I had always planned on showing a stud. Not necessarily breeding him, just showing. Breeding may turn up later down the road, but not until he's established himself in the ring, and probably only to my mare- then I'd cut him. He's got a really good attitude, great conformation, and he's just gorgeous (I am a bit partial!). But the thing is, I did plan on exhibiting a stallion, but not until I was established in my career, which I am not. I am now a college senior and I know the first few years of my career will be the most difficult. A stallion needs to be worked with every single day, and I just don't know if I can make that commitment. Also, the farm we live on is not currently set up for a stallion. It easily could be, but it would be at a large cost to my already strained college budget. I also have these ethical issues, I don't want him to grow up being alone. Horses are social and I want him to be able to interact, not just look across a fence top. He's great pals with our gelding now, but I'm not so sure how well that relationship will hold up once he gets older. They're quite rowdy at play now, and he's just shy of a year. I also don't want to add to the horsey overpopulation problem and be wondering if his babies are being treated right. When you look at all the evidence, all signs point to gelding, but I can not make myself do it. My vet thinks I'm being weird, but gelding is a very permanent thing! Has anyone else struggled with this?!? I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

[crazi4horses]

im sorry im of no help..

but!

i can see where ur coming from and ur right gelding is a VERY permanent thing!

[MissBandit]

All I can really say, is if you decided to leave him uncut and then breed him to your mare (as you mentioned) and THEN cut him, you will end up with a study gelding. After they have been bred, they don't usually suddenly become a quiet gelding. I guess I can't speak for every single horse (obviously), but I have seen this first hand several times.

Just a point to think about...

[Dawn]

Just from reading that post, it sounds as if you do want to geld him. You're just afraid that you'll regret it. So, based on that, I'd say geld him. Throw in the fact that you don't think you have the time to commit and money is also an issue, I'd say most definately geld.

[Sandra-A1]

I have had a couple of colts and never thought twice...they were gelded. One was a purbred yearling stallion that was a birthday gift from my husband, who about had a heart attack when I said "Oh my he is just beautiful, Hummm he is still a stallion...okay when can the Vet get out here and cut him?" Poor hubby!
My way of thinking is if the horse will make a good stallion he will make a GREAT gelding! (and he did by the way!)
You have already shown that this colt needs to be a gelding from the fact that you know all the reasons why you don't need him to be a stallion. As for breeding him to your mare, why not geld him, wait until your actually ready and breed her to the best stallion you can afford for her and see if you then get a outstanding stallion prospect then?
If a stallion cannot earn his keep and pay his own expenses then in my opinion he is not worthy of being a stallion. Keeping, training, showing and promoting a stallion is expensive!

[horse_crazy]

If you don't have the time and/or money to keep up with the managment of a stallion I say no, just geld him. You mentioned that you would only breed him to your mare, well...I really don't see much point in that. If you want to show him adn earn points, and he has a NICE pedigree and breed him to outside mares, yeah mybe that would be okay if he is *stallion material*. As Sandra-A1 said, there are some colts ya look at and don't think twice about gelding. A stallion is a big responsiblity, and could be a great thing if you know what you are doing. This is a hard situation, because I dont want to say yes definately geld him, adn I also dont want to say yeah keep him as a stud. I really can't answer this for you, you need to sort out all possiblities for both sides, stud and gelding. What is better for him and you? Good luck.

[Sandra-A1]

One way to help you decide is to have several professionals as well as a couple of Professional Equine Appraisers look at the colt and give you their honest opinion as to if the colt is stallion material or not. Trainers as well as breeders who specialize in the same breed the colt is will be able to tell you if your colt will be able to make it as a stallion in the showing and breeding industry.
If the colt is really exceptional then your problems are solved as you will most likely recieve offers to buy him or be your partner and help you with the expenses.

[kulasmom]

Thanks for the advice. You guys have given me a lot to think about. I might check into that appraisal thing; although, I am really considering that "good stallion would make a great gelding" comment! What I want from this situation is a really good riding/show horse. My mare is so awesome, but her conformation prevented her from being able to do a lot of the reining maneuvers. That's what this little guy is bred for and he has a lot of natural talent. Maybe gelding him would help his focus.

[MissBandit]

Ok, here's another thought/question. If your mare doesn't have the best conformation, then wouldn't there be a greater chance that her foal could have less than desirable conformation too?

[kulasmom]

Yes, you are absolutely correct. I've talked to my vet and he said that if I find a straighter than straight stallion, we would have a good shot at a correct baby. Whether the baby had good conformation or not, we'd keep him/her. My mare does turn out, but she is a great riding horse! However, I have considered breeding her, and then I decided I didn't want to take any risks, so I bought the little man you are reading about above. That's one of the reasons why I thought they may make a good match (since he is correct). But then again, I may just skip breeding, there are so many homeless horses out there, when it comes time to get a new one (which will be quite aways down the road), I may just buy again.