Advice needed: Is this a hard pass?

[NotInTheKnow]

Thoughts appreciated!

Would you consider buying a 3 month old foal who has had hernia surgery at 1 week old, now fully recovered, and as a result now has one testicle? It can still breed, it just can't be registered in stud book as stallion even if not gelded (curious to know how this impacts future saleability). I have no misgivings regarding breeder reputation, bloodlines, access to top trainers and facilities etc, they have proven track record in developing GP dressage horses so we can put that aside.

Don't have full details yet i.e. type of hernia, implications, treatment recommendation, I've just been told this brief summary.

Is this a hard pass?

 

[ihatework]

Well it might be a hard pass if you want a stallion, but otherwise no. Just get medical records and double check with vet.

 

[TheMule]

It wouldn’t bother me for a riding gelding, but don’t buy if you intend to keep entire as it's hereditary so totally irresponsible to breed with

 

[twiggy2]

A retained testicle carries the risk of becoming cancerous if left so he would need castration, castration can be a big surgery depending on how high the testicle is. I wouldn't buy before castration due to the risk of surgical complications and unknown cost.
A breeder that would sell a horse with a retained testicle is one to be avoided for me, its irresponsible to sell an stallion with a retained testicle as it may not be declared at a future sale point and its often a hereditary physical fault.
So yes a hard pass on the breeder and the horse for me.

 

[Equi]

Why one testicle? Is it one that was removed during the hernia surgery?


What would be the purpose for you buying it?

 

[Gloi]

Has the horse now got one testicle because the other was removed fixing a hernia there or is one not dropped? Seems strange not to remove them both when he was under anaesthetic as he's not suitable for breeding. I'd certainly want to be sure both testicles were removed before considering buying. If they were I see no reason not to consider him.

 

[NotInTheKnow]

Thanks everyone. It's a no for me then!

 

[TheMule]

You’re being given advice about 2 separate issues here. If the foal has had a testicle removed in dealing with the hernia that is not the same as having a retained testicle.
Both shouldn’t be bred from, but they will probably have left the other testicle on as it can be a good thing to have some testosterone influence on development and then you just have the other removed in a normal castration procedure

 

[Goldenstar]

They need to geld him as soon as they can and market him as a riding horse