At what age to geld a colt?

My_chestnut_mare

My_chestnut_mare

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Hello peeps i was wondering if you could help.

I'm just away to purchase a colt foal who will be weaned end of november beginning of december.

I was just wondering at what age would it be ok to geld? I would like to maybe get it done asap. I have had a colt before and i think he was 8 months old when i got him done.

Any help ideas would be gladly appreciated.

also in VET
 
I'd leave him till he settles in to your place and gets used to his new herd and whoever you are buddying him up with, so give him a month or so. Or leave him till spring and geld before you turn out onto clean pasture. They do need exercise to help with keeping the swelling down, so middle of winter if he has to stay in with horrid weather isn't a great idea - and it's always sods law it will rain for weeks when you don't want it! Just remember though don't turn him out with any fillies or mares until 6 weeks after he is gelded as he can technically still fire viable tadpoles!!!:D
 
I had my lad done at 12 months but my friend has only just had her boy done at 14 months because he hadn't dropped.
My vet wanted to do it in the Autumn/Winter as there are less flies so your coming up to a good time of the year to get it done.
My last horse wasn't cut until he was nearly 3 but he was a dope on a rope and didn't show any signs of colt/stallion behavior...we all though he was gay with no signs of liking the ladies!!!!
I would get him done sooner than later as you wouldn't want any "accidents" if there are mares around.
Just remember that they are still able to "do the business" up to 6 weeks after being cut!!!
 
you'll have to wait till the colt has dropped- I have one thats still entire as you wouldnt know he's a colt- plus I wanted a more bulky look with more 'attitude' for the show ring- mine is to be gelded next month poor boy! I would also wiat till you got to know him and he's settled- weaning can be a scary time for a litlle one
 
If both testicles have dropped then i would ask the breeder to do him before weaning. I usually do my colts about 6 weeks before i plan to wean them, at this age it is a very small wound to heal and they have mum to cuddle up to, its less stressful and they recover quicker if its done before weaning. My foals are sold as geldings, i've already had 2 gelded this year at 4 and 4.5 months old, and 3 others are being done the week after next, one of them will be just 3.5 months old but he already stands 12.2hh.
If you ask the breeder to do it you could offer to pay for it if they dont seem keen!
 
Agree with WWH, if he can be done whilst still with mum it makes the whole thing so much less traumatic for them. We had ours done at 6 months and I used arnica immediately after the op for a few days to reduce swelling. He suffered absolutely no ill effects and you couldn't really tell he had been done the next day onwards as he didnt show any signs of being sore or uncomfortable. If you are getting him late november/early december then it may be too late to have him done if there is a danger of frosts so I would definitely ask breeder if they will sort it for you.
 
I'm not sure what people seem to mean by 'they will cope better if done whilst with mum' I've had 2 colts, bought one at 5 months old, had him done as soon as he'd settled at home at 6 months, he never suffered or had any problems coping with the operation, as he was still a 'foal' the incisions were small and he was healed very quickly, the other is my homebred who was sooooo wet behind the ears I wanted to keep him entire a little longer and have just had him done at 16 months, again, no problem coping, the only thing I will say is at least if done in winter you don't need to be worrying about flies!! Simple operation for both but yes bigger incision holes for the older boy so longer to fully heal.
 
tbh it depends what you wanna pay, if they are still up he will need to be ga ed if not he can be done standing, not much difference apart from cost.

Whatever way you just watch it drain out of them.
 
I'd agree with getting it done before weaning if poss, the younger the better i'd say (as long as he's dropped of course) My vets will only really do it through mid-late autumn & winter time when there are fewer flies around. If the owner really wants it done in spring/summer then we do it, but give them warnings about flies and prefer to do it in our clinic rather than out in the field. We're coming up to the best time of year soon.
 
competitiondiva said:
I'm not sure what people seem to mean by 'they will cope better if done whilst with mum' I've had 2 colts, bought one at 5 months old, had him done as soon as he'd settled at home at 6 months, he never suffered or had any problems coping with the operation, as he was still a 'foal' the incisions were small and he was healed very quickly, the other is my homebred who was sooooo wet behind the ears I wanted to keep him entire a little longer and have just had him done at 16 months, again, no problem coping, the only thing I will say is at least if done in winter you don't need to be worrying about flies!! Simple operation for both but yes bigger incision holes for the older boy so longer to fully heal.
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I think it is probably the comforting from mum that makes it easier, we had our stallion done and it was horrendous, he screamed all the way through it despite GA and enough of it to drop a shire horse, he was 11hh, and then took weeks to heal, was miserable and in pain for ages. I think it is easier for them when they are younger anyway but having mum there just makes it less traumatic, from start to finish, they just go an suckle afterwards and it makes them feel better.
 
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