Gelding a horse - what to expect. Video clip

In Britain I've had horses gelded both knocked out and standing.

The standing method is very dangerous for the vet and is far harder for the vet to operate as his view is limited.

As shown on the video is a common way but also has its problems - a friends youngster came out of the anaesthetic early - he started thrashing around because his leg was tied up and the vet could not increase the dose as he was unable to get at the vein. Youngster got to his feet and then fell and ruptured his hip joint - he never came right and was put down a couple of weeks later.

My vet gelds by rolling the horse on its back - where it lies very steadily with a really clear view for gelding. Working from behind the horse she is safe and is able to operate quickly and cleanly. As the horse has no rope restraints should it come round before completion it can't hurt itself.

Some of the racehorse trainers I've worked for prefer the standing method as they are concerned with the possible injuries as the horse goes down and when it struggles to get to its feet. The vet doesn't like this though as the TB's are often on edge when standing in the tieups.

My last horse that was gelded closed up very quickly and swelled up - the vet came to see him and with one press and flick she reopened the wound with her finger and the fluid poured out. I then had to give penicillin injections for several days - Milo did not appreciate being a pin cushion.
 
classicalfan said:
I'm surprised the Americans geld that way. Is it only us Brits that do it with the horse standing up? Much faster and less risk of injury.
Click to expand...

I think (not 100% sure though and don't have time to re-watch) that the Vet said they do both but prefer prone for older horses.
 
I've seen both ways in Canada for straightforward gelding - it's certainly not only a UK thing to do them standing. Vets usually have a preference but take into account a number of factors, although, as above, I've seen more older horses done prone.

It would be quite tricky to film a standing op so it's at least possible they chose that case specifically for that reason.
 
We do standing for most horses because it is quicker, cheaper and doesn't carry the risks of a GA. We use prone castration for older horses (more than 3-4 years) because there is a higher risk of bleeding, donkeys (because they have a wider inguinal ring so more risk of guts falling out) and if there is any suggestion of one being retained (so that we can go and find it if needed). Usually this is under GA, but we will cast shetlands and small donkeys and do them prone but only under heavy sedation.
There is an argument to do all horses standing regardless of age, because the risk of bleeding/evisceration is still lower than the risk of GA.
Personally speaking, it is a hell of a lot easier to do horses under GA than standing - I'm not squatting down next to a back leg, avoiding being kicked if the horse goes light. I can see what I'm doing better, and if anything does go wrong (a bit of bleeding for example) then it can be dealt with easily.
 
I watched one being done recently in France. It was done lying down but once the vet had hold of the testicle he clamped it but didn't cut it, the clamp was fixed into a hand drill which was then set spinning untill the testicle came away. Made me glad I'm not male!
 
I've held load of race horses for gelding and theyve been standing up, no ties or anything. Not had any problems during the gelding, its normally after when they get very sore and bleed a lot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top