When To Geld A Colt

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We have a 4 1/2 month old colt. When is the best time to geld him? I've heard if you do it too early then they don't get that nice thick neck. I'll at least wait till all the flies are gone up here in the north. THANKS !!!!

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), September 03, 2000

Answers

I believe the common practice is to wait until the colt is about a year old. Thus, you could wait until early Spring to avoid hot weather and flies before having it done if you are satisfied with his development. In any case, I would recommend having it done by a vet.

-- Ken S. in TN (scharabo@aol.com), September 03, 2000.

As soon as the testicles drop. Personally never found a difference in the neck. And I agree about waiting for the flies to leave!!

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), September 03, 2000.

yes, you have to wait for the testicles to drop. They may not both drop at the same time, so wait for them both to drop. If they don't both drop by the time the colt is a yearling, consult your vet. If one is retained in the body cavity, you will have a much larger expense if the vet has to go fishing for it. However, in some horses and some breeds in particular, this is a common problem. Gelding a horse with only one testicle descended results in what is called a 'rig' gelding, who usually won't be able to impregnate a mare, but will have the same characteristics as a stallion; aggression, mounting mares, etc.

It usually takes a while for a cresty neck to build up on a stud, altho if your horse is genetically disposed, he'll get a fat bull neck no matter what (I've seen mares with HUGE crests of fat). Some people geld late on weedy males in order to build up more muscle, but this is largely unneccessary. Good conditioning will result in a nicely balanced body. Over-feeding often results in a fat neck on any horse.

-- Julie Froelich (firefly1@nnex.net), September 04, 2000.


Depends on why you want to geld him. A colt as young as 8 months can breed a mare so if you are trying to prevent that, then geld him before next breeding season. If you have concerns with temperament then LOTS of handling is the key. I sold a gelding that was a colt until he was 3 and he is a wonderful pleasure horse. I have 2 - 6yo stallions right now and both are easy to handle and ride, though they are less tolerant of other stallions during breeding season. And don't credit their breeding, they are Thoroughbreds and their daddy was a mean (but wonderfil) SOB! At the very least, let him mature a bit.

-- Dianne (yankeeterrier@hotmail.com), September 05, 2000.

Howdy from NM, Pat. My input to you is 6 mos to 1 yr, wait for cool weather. Your colt will have a nice neck no matter what unless it's put on his shoulders wrong in the first place by shear genetics... he won't ever have a studdy neck (there are some exercises you can do later when you bit him up that will help him develop muscles where you want them). Anyway, I've had good luck with that 6-12 mos age bracket. It also depends on whether you can stand his 'attitude' if you want to wait till he's a year old!

And another thing from my experience, make sure he has room to roam around after the drugs wear off... probably the next day; don't coop him up in a stall all day. That wound will look horrible, but don't worry about it, let him... or MAKE him walk around or even trot around a few times a day, it will be the best thing for him; it's ok for it to break open a few times and ooze a little. Don't feel TOO sorry for him, either, meaning: don't be afraid to make him move, no matter how sore he looks! To clean the wound, just use cool water and soap, or maybe your vet will suggest Betadine. You can probably just get by with hosing it down a little once a day. This is your big chance to be his best friend! Good luck. debra in nm

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), September 05, 2000.



My horse was Gelded just before he turned a year old. You want to geld them before they get their stallion trads.

-- Bri (Bodaciousshowhorse@myexcel.com), August 08, 2001.

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