Danchika
Member
Hi, my colt (yearling) will be gelded in november and the practice is to tie up a horse in his stall for two days so he cant lie down. I don`t like that so I would like to hear your experiences.
Thank you
Thank you
colt castration-aftercare in stable
- Thread starter Danchika
- Start date
Nettle123
Well-Known Member
When my colt was gelded he was turned out immediately afterwards. Much better for him to be moving around and reducing swelling plus no risk of flies in November. Tying a yearling up for two days just seems wrong.
Danchika
Member
Yes I agree with you but this is a practice in my country and I dont like it. I was thinking to put him a lot of straw and walk him out.
JillA
Well-Known Member
Can't you be the fore runner to change the practice? For me this is borderline cruel, just tying up a yearling for that length of time for starters, what would happen if you turned him into a small paddock? Much better for reducing swelling and recovering from anaesthetic.
Danchika
Member
Its very sad I know I had discussions even regarding letting him out for the first time when he was born. Everybody was telling me he must be at least eight days in his stall even I wanted to let him out the next day and I did but on third day.
I cant see my colt standing tied up and I just want to make sure that I am not crazy. This is why I wanted to here your experiences.
people think if he lay down that he`ll get infection.
I cant see my colt standing tied up and I just want to make sure that I am not crazy. This is why I wanted to here your experiences.
people think if he lay down that he`ll get infection.
be positive
Well-Known Member
Over here most will get a long acting antibiotic as routine when they are castrated, that should prevent any infection setting in, the idea of turning them out immediately is to reduce the swelling that will happen, the more they move about the less risk of the area becoming swollen, I guess if they don't give antibiotics then there is a risk of infection but that will still be there whether they lie down or not, if the stable or field is as clean as it can be the risk will be reduced to whatever the flies may transmit but that will still be an issue until they are fully healed.
I cant see the foal well in your picture but the mare looks lovely.
I cant see the foal well in your picture but the mare looks lovely.
Danchika
Member
As far as I know antibiotic will be given maybe even a tetanus injection, after all I will ask for it.
Danchika
Member
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
I turned ours out 24/7 as soon as the sedation had worn off. It was early March and there were no flies around and no mud either. The wound was left open to drain too.
The racing yard I worked in took the newly-gelded youngsters out twice a day (am and pm) for around an hour a time, as they were stabled otherwise.
Nice little colt.
The racing yard I worked in took the newly-gelded youngsters out twice a day (am and pm) for around an hour a time, as they were stabled otherwise.
Nice little colt.
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Danchika
Member
Thank you all
Dottie
Well-Known Member
That is very bizarre after care instructions!
The more turnout the better, as said above, to help the swelling go down/ help reduce the risk of post castration infection. Spring and autumn are the better times to cut so it's less muddy and less flies around. He can have a long acting antibiotic I/m or go on a course of antibiotics in his feed.
I think it will be dangerous to tie up a youngster for so long! Have they given an you an explanation of why they advice this?
The more turnout the better, as said above, to help the swelling go down/ help reduce the risk of post castration infection. Spring and autumn are the better times to cut so it's less muddy and less flies around. He can have a long acting antibiotic I/m or go on a course of antibiotics in his feed.
I think it will be dangerous to tie up a youngster for so long! Have they given an you an explanation of why they advice this?
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Wow! Chuck him out! Movement, fresh air, that's what he needs. He will be fine. Better out than in, and I agree, the practice of tying up for two days is barbaric in my opinion. Definitely lead the way for change op, get antibiotic jab, and yes tetanus (don't forget his follow up jab) let the sedation wear off and then pop him in the paddock. Good luck!
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joycec
Well-Known Member
If he has a tetanus jab for this operation he needs tetanus anti toxin not tetanus vaccination. There no follow up jab, it's a different thing. But you should also get him
Vaccinated against tetanus anyway if he isn't already.
No one in this country would tie up a horse after castration.
Vaccinated against tetanus anyway if he isn't already.
No one in this country would tie up a horse after castration.
Danchika
Member
I`ve contacted one vet that works in clinic and she said that they are taught in college to tie up a horse up to five days ! and on 6th day to walk him easly ( even tho after five days its impossible for easy walk)anyway, to easly walk him like that for three weeks !
I just dont understand :-(
Danchika
Member
Yes, thank you ! I decided not to tie him up and will walk him right away after procedure or will put him in paddock with grass.
joycec
Well-Known Member
It's to prevent a haemorrhage I should think. But that's very rare, I've heard of one, and he was feral, couldn't be caught again, and he survived after turning his paddock pink.
What you are being told goes against everything vets in the UK are taught.
JillA
Well-Known Member
Well done, it takes courage to go against local practice. I imagine most vets in the UK would discuss with yours if she rang them. I could give you the number of mine but he is difficult to get on the phone, a one man practice who is usually out on calls. Prof Knottenbelt at Liverpool is approachable and I'm sure would explain to her. http://www.liv.ac.uk/equine/team/derek-knottenbelt/
Danchika
Member
Thanks, he is a very happy little horse
I defy to everybody from the day he was born, there was even a comments like I am going to ruin him and my mare by letting them out on the rainy day etc... you all have no idea how is it to live here, I am so so tired
joycec
Well-Known Member
Thanks, he is a very happy little horse
I defy to everybody from the day he was born, there was even a comments like I am going to ruin him and my mare by letting them out on the rainy day etc... you all have no idea how is it to live here, I am so so tired
Where are you Danchika? It is really nice for us n here to be able to find out about other countries.
If you use Google.co.uk and search colt castration, You will find after care instructions from a number of large British equine vet surgeries. Some recommend confining to a 20x20 (feet not metres) area for 24 hours. Have a read and set your mind at rest.
Danchika
Member
oh men this is so embarrassing, I am from Zagreb capital city of Croatia.
yes, thanks to youtube and google I have done a miracles with my mare after I bought her and of course with outrage from some people...
I am around horses for only a three years and have my own for two, so I cant say anything `cause what I know, but I am happy to have a few people around me that are "normal"
Aru
Well-Known Member
Could the need to be tied it be to do with fly bother causing issues in your area or something along those lines?
Most colts in the uk and ireland are turned out to reduce swelling but we do not have a serious fly problem like countries with hotter weather and almost all geldings here are done in low fly weather.
Most colts in the uk and ireland are turned out to reduce swelling but we do not have a serious fly problem like countries with hotter weather and almost all geldings here are done in low fly weather.
Danchika
Member
No, there is no fly problem...There is flys of course and mosquitos but this is why I am waiting for colder weather. In November will be no flys, but once I have seen a horse castrated in the summer and he was tied up in his stall and the flys were everywhere. The only reason that everybody is telling me is because the wound must not touch the ground even tho horses dont spread their legs like dogs and he must stand still so I dont know the stitch dont brake...
Danchika
Member
So I posted a question on facebook about this and till now I have got ten answers from which only one person said thay didnt tied up a horse. For the others the main reason is to keep the wound clean by standing up.
OMG I can see it already how everyone will attack me if I dont tie him up....If only I have my own barn..oh well it will pass like everything before.
OMG I can see it already how everyone will attack me if I dont tie him up....If only I have my own barn..oh well it will pass like everything before.
Danchika
Member
This is the answer os a second person:
"Mine was bound barely five hours after castration. Otherwise is temperamental and very pissed off at the connection, whole life he spent in the run, just so that he was eventually released on the surface of 6x9 meters and there were no complications. Indeed swelling was not even close to what is otherwise the horses after surgery because they are fairly varied. The third day was already released normally. Veterinarians recommend a berth in principle, but I think it all depends on the type of horse and the care you can provide."
This is google translation from Croation...
foxy1
Well-Known Member
You mention stitches, will it be a closed castration where they stitch up the wound? The colts I have had castrated have had a very small wound left open(un-stitched) to drain. They have been turned out immediately.
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
Op, it may be common practice where you are from, and it may be the way vets are taught but that doesn't mean you have to do it, it is your horse not the vets and you must do what you believe is right by the horse
Beausmate
Well-Known Member
I've not seen a castration wound stitched in a young horse, it's usual to leave them open to drain. Exceptions would be for older stallions and horses with larger testicles (my vet won't perform a standing castration on those types either) who may be at greater risk of complications.
Umbongo
Well-Known Member
Normal in the UK to castrate, no stitches, small wound is left open to drain. I have attended some castrations on colts done in the field, then they are left to recover in the field and they carry on their lives as normal. OP agree with above, you should do as you wish and what is best by your horses. TBH I think castrating a young colt then keeping them tied up for at least 2 days is asking for trouble and not fair on the horse.
ChesnutsRoasting
Well-Known Member
OP, you are an intelligent & practical person. You already know what will be best for your horse. Go with your gut instinct & turn that boy out!!! Ignore the disapproving 'experts'. I own two that have been castrated. No stiches & 24/7 turnout with shelter - both were as right as rain.
irishdraft
Well-Known Member
OP that's sounds like a difficult situation for you
My two colts were castrated in the stable once the sedation wore off I turned them both out in the field, it was march and actually quite wet and muddy but both were fine.Much better to be out grazing even so one of them swelled quite alarmingly , I hate to think how he would have been if I had tied him up for two days, it sounds a very misguided practice
My two colts were castrated in the stable once the sedation wore off I turned them both out in the field, it was march and actually quite wet and muddy but both were fine.Much better to be out grazing even so one of them swelled quite alarmingly , I hate to think how he would have been if I had tied him up for two days, it sounds a very misguided practice