Castrating Cost

Polly rudge said:
Just been quoted £317 for a 5 month old colt to be castrated by our vets. This seems very expensive or is that now reasonable?
Click to expand...
I paid roughly that in May this year, standing. And they wonder why people end up not gelding them. I had to haggle with them so he was not admitted to horsepital, then it would have been over £400.
When I was a teenager they would do them three at a time in the yard with no sedation, just a local.
 
Last edited:
honetpot said:
I paid roughly that in May this year, standing. And they wonder why people end up not gelding them. I had to haggle with them so he was not admitted to horsepital, then it would have been over £400.
When I was a teenager they would do them three at a time in the yard with no sedation, just a local.
Click to expand...
Ah well, you'll have to forgive us for wanting to do a bit better than that today, for both the welfare of the horses and the vets!

I have done hundreds of castrations in my career and although it might seem a quick job, it takes prep time, cleanliness, drugs, a sound understanding of surgical principles and experience. It may be routine, but has a high complication rate. I genuinely think £350-400 is a reasonable price to pay.

For people who genuinely can't afford to have it done there are charity clinics run all over the country to have colts gelded for free or for a minimal donation. Otherwise I would suggest not buying a colt or breeding one if you haven't factored in the cost of castration.
 
Gamebird said:
Ah well, you'll have to forgive us for wanting to do a bit better than that today, for both the welfare of the horses and the vets!

I have done hundreds of castrations in my career and although it might seem a quick job, it takes prep time, cleanliness, drugs, a sound understanding of surgical principles and experience. It may be routine, but has a high complication rate. I genuinely think £350-400 is a reasonable price to pay.

For people who genuinely can't afford to have it done there are charity clinics run all over the country to have colts gelded for free or for a minimal donation. Otherwise I would suggest not buying a colt or breeding one if you haven't factored in the cost of castration.
Click to expand...
Yes completely agree just has been years since we had one done so out of touch with the cost of everything 🙈
 
I paid £320 in March for standing castration of a 3yo colt at home incl call out & post op meds. I had started his flu & tet vaccines already. Did call another practice just for a quote and they wouldn’t even come close to this price even taking him into practice so it does seem to vary a lot!!
 
Gamebird said:
Ah well, you'll have to forgive us for wanting to do a bit better than that today, for both the welfare of the horses and the vets!

I have done hundreds of castrations in my career and although it might seem a quick job, it takes prep time, cleanliness, drugs, a sound understanding of surgical principles and experience. It may be routine, but has a high complication rate. I genuinely think £350-400 is a reasonable price to pay.

For people who genuinely can't afford to have it done there are charity clinics run all over the country to have colts gelded for free or for a minimal donation. Otherwise I would suggest not buying a colt or breeding one if you haven't factored in the cost of castration.
Click to expand...
Its a long time since I saw them done with just a local, at the time the vets were also worried about sedation, the drugs were not as sophisticated, but I can not say it was a welfare issue.
I have noticed over the past perhaps ten years vets are becoming more reluctant to do a standing castration,which usually increases the cost. In reality for some people the cost of castration is more than the animal is worth, so it just doesn't get done.
 
Seems about right.

At the vets is best option too. The last I had done at home ended up costing a lot more as he had to go to hospital for a weekend when it wasn't as straightforward as first thought. I wouldn't have one done at home again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top