Colt testicle size help please

[Tillyfilly]

My 6 week old colt dropped his testicles this week and I'm amazed at the size of them. I don't know if I should be? He was very subdued over last weekend but no temperature, still drinking and peeing but he'd slowed down his playing and was sleeping a lot more. On Tuesday he still wasn't quite himself but was still bright etc then one appeared, then the other on Wednesday when he was back to his normal interested self but walking very gingerly. He's still walking gingerly today and I've phoned the vets to see if they think someone should come out and look at him but the vet said give it till next week and if he's still walking the same to call them out then.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with their boys? As he's only six weeks he doesn't have much room there I guess and they are more like horse size than baby size. No heat or other lumps, is this normal?

Thanks for any experiences!

 

[TelH]

Harold's were tiny He is only a little pony though, he's now 2yo and approx 10.2hh. He was gelded at 5 1/2 months and his bits could pretty much fit on the palm of my hand (sorry if that's tmi )

 

[Tillyfilly]

Thanks, perhaps I should have added that he's 11hh already at the withers, an inch or so more at the bum. They just seem so big! I don't have small hands and can't cup them both in one hand. It's his slow gingerly walking that's worrying me, just wondered if he needs time to get used to them?

 

[JanetGeorge]

They're very variable. I had two born this year that had both down - and big - at birth! Some are so tiddly you can't find them and they can drop at any time. As long as they feel 'normal' and there is no heat or discomfort, I wouldn't worry (means you'll be able to geld him young - a bonus!)

 

[domane]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm interested to know why it is a bonus to be able to geld them young, JG? Is it just because it is less stressful for them whilst they are still on mum or is there a physical reason why it is better?

 

[Tillyfilly]

Yes they do feel normal, not that I've got that much experience with handling others! He'll be cut as soon as he starts getting above himself. I'd much rather cut earlier before weaning than later even if he's a little darling, not worth the risk on a livery yard and mum's there to comfort him.

Depends on what you mean by young? Could / should I geld him now at 6 or 7 weeks or leave it till he's 3 or 4 months?

 

[TelH]

I personally don't like to have them gelded at this time of year if possible because of the flies. Mine was done around January time. I first asked the vet about having Harold gelded when he was 3 months old and the vet said we could do it at that age if I wanted. I decided to leave him til he was a bit bigger but get him done before spring and the flies came. Harold was still with his Mum when he was done. I got him done relatively young because I had no intention of using him to breed from and he goes in a field with a filly and 4 mares so I didn't want to risk any accidents.

 

[JanetGeorge]

Sorry to hijack this thread but I'm interested to know why it is a bonus to be able to geld them young, JG? Is it just because it is less stressful for them whilst they are still on mum or is there a physical reason why it is better?

Less stressful
Usually less swelling
Less likely to be chasing mares and fillies in the group around
Less likely to develop coltish behaviour and be a nuisance - and

last but not least -

You save money on castration costs if they're done when younger and lighter - less expensive drugs! (Particularly if you're knocking them right out rather than doing them standing.)

ETA - but definitely leave it to october or after first frost when flies are less of a problem!