[GingerSnap]

Well I decided today that this weekend my little Rowdy boy would become a gelding. I don't need 2 stallions, but I would love to have a great driving gelding. Even though my new stallion is already a great driving horse. So anyway I figure this weekend will work great, it's not to hot no bugs yet and I can be home with him to watch him.

Anyone else made this decision recently.?

[bourbnj]

my 10 month colt is due. I'm looking around march. not in a super hurry but I do want to avoid the fly season. He's my first baby and I'm pleased with how well his disposition is. jh

[gallop3337]

Speaking of which, when is the best time to geld a colt? I have heard different theories about whether to do it in warm or cold weather.

[HorseGurly143]

I would say defiantly cold weather. In the summer, there are way to many bugs around to irritate it and to possibly spread infection.

[4hooves4me2]

I prefer cold/chilly lack of bugs, and the cool air keeps some of the swelling down also. And if you have to hose the are, it really takes down the swelling being cooler out.

[LilEquineLuva]

I need to geld Diesel very soon. He's not unmanageable just bratty, but his 2 yr old brother has a PERFECT 2 yr old attitude and was the same way (bratty) when he was still "carrying his jewels". Both boys are buckskin solid paint-bred (APHA) and we don't keep any of our colts stallions. For one, 1 stallion is enough for us,..and secondly there are plenty of junkie studs in our area and most people prove that they don't know what quality IS, let alone be experienced enough to handle a stallion. I just feel better about our colts' future with them being geldings Now I'm not saying if I had a drop dead gorgeous buckskin tovero colt out of my toby mare that was well mannered and great at the shows that I would immediate stamp "GELDING" on his forehead....just that it would take a LOT to convince me to sell a colt as a stallion and let him stay that way. Plus if they arent stallion quality and you let somebody buy them to use as a stallion "because they want to and they can"..then you are contributing to more unwanted or "low quality" conformed horses in the world, whether you admit it or not. You can sell your colts if you want to while they are intact..but I just feel better at the end of the day if they get a SNIP SNIP before they hear me say goodbye.
I'm not saying other people should geld all colts,..then eventually there would be no babies ever! ...just that some people should be more selective and we ALL have those breeders somewhere in our area..the ones who are concerned with quantity and money instead of quality and happiness in their horses, but thats a whole 'nother story!
Good luck to anybody who is getting one gelded, and good luck to anybody who is keeping "the jewels"..may your stallion be well-mannered and earn his keep.
I like to do it when it is warm enough to hose down,..warm enough for good body heat..but cool enough to cut down on swelling and excessive infection...and before all the bugs come. You really have to catch that window though...sometimes its veeeeeery narrow.

[GingerSnap]

Well it's been 2 weeks since Rowdy had the big SNIP, SNIP...it was cool here and no bugs and he had very minimal swelling and NO flies to irritate him. I walked him everyday or ground drove him and he recovered FAST. He is such a nice boy now. Ok he was a nice boy before but now he is really sweet.