Hug
Well-Known Member
Hi all, I know the answer to this but thought it might be worthwhile to ask if anyone has gelded a horse over the age of 10,11 (e.g. around 12, 13) and what the health implications where, if any?
Thanks
Thanks
Gelding at the age of 13 - too risky?
- Thread starter Hug
- Start date
paulineh
Well-Known Member
A friend of mine had her stallion gelded at the age of 12. He had no ill effects at all. He is much happier now as he can be turned out with the rest of the herd.
NZJenny
Well-Known Member
I know of a couple that have been gelded in their teens with no problems. And like paulineh said, had much happier lives for it.
The Fuzzy Furry
Old Timer
Yes, have had a couple done in their early teens.
Only difference was that vet wanted me to bring into surgery (standing castration) for both, in case of any complications - both were straight forwards tho
Only difference was that vet wanted me to bring into surgery (standing castration) for both, in case of any complications - both were straight forwards tho
bakewell
Well-Known Member
Not too risky, perfectly reasonable. Opens up your options for stabling (and some shows etc) in the future. There are some stables in spain and the uk which offer boarding services specifically for PRE recovering from castration and will help to ease the transition. PM me if you'd like some more details.
However the stallion behaviour exhibited by PRE (assume this is the same horse) is often a learned or conditioned behaviour. They are nowhere near as naturally challenging as tb stallions for example.
Consider:
the situations and environment he may have been used for covering.
has he been used for natural covering or just on a dummy.
has he ever had turnout.
how does he socialise with other horses, if at all, what are their genders.
ridden mares are rare in spain so he may never have been ridden alongside one.
As they are generally out in colt herds until 3 then brought into an individually stabled environment they are often the product of this regime as much as their hormones.
Whilst you can certainly get his testicles off you may need to still treat him "as a stallion" in many ways. ie turn out, riding out, awareness around the yard. Consider if others need to handle him or handle other horses near him (this is often the larger problem... Misty does not need to say hello!!).
Whilst you may have your eyes on a particular horse, do consider one that has been out to a lot of ferias* or used for a lot of group activities if possible. This will make it much easier for you.
*can lead to ruined hocks ime compared to breeding/ mild riding stallions.
If you are not considering breeding also consider a cruzado/ cross. They won't have been used for covering and tend to be viewed as more of a sportshorse so often get out and about more/ asked to do unusual things. After all, what you are asking of him is going to be a change to every aspect of his life.
Best of luck.
However the stallion behaviour exhibited by PRE (assume this is the same horse) is often a learned or conditioned behaviour. They are nowhere near as naturally challenging as tb stallions for example.
Consider:
the situations and environment he may have been used for covering.
has he been used for natural covering or just on a dummy.
has he ever had turnout.
how does he socialise with other horses, if at all, what are their genders.
ridden mares are rare in spain so he may never have been ridden alongside one.
As they are generally out in colt herds until 3 then brought into an individually stabled environment they are often the product of this regime as much as their hormones.
Whilst you can certainly get his testicles off you may need to still treat him "as a stallion" in many ways. ie turn out, riding out, awareness around the yard. Consider if others need to handle him or handle other horses near him (this is often the larger problem... Misty does not need to say hello!!).
Whilst you may have your eyes on a particular horse, do consider one that has been out to a lot of ferias* or used for a lot of group activities if possible. This will make it much easier for you.
*can lead to ruined hocks ime compared to breeding/ mild riding stallions.
If you are not considering breeding also consider a cruzado/ cross. They won't have been used for covering and tend to be viewed as more of a sportshorse so often get out and about more/ asked to do unusual things. After all, what you are asking of him is going to be a change to every aspect of his life.
Best of luck.
Hug
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone, I rode him in a large arena where there were many more horse, including mares and he was great!! The only reason I am doing this is the livery yard where I am at (I am not in the UK) does not allow stallions, but plus at the age of thirteen, I would like him to be turned out for many hours in a paddock. I have no breeding intentions at all.
_HP_
Well-Known Member
My friend had her stallions castrated at 20+ so that they could enjoy a full retirement. Very straightforward and they recovered very well.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
my ex stud stallion was gelded at 12 when he retired from stud duties. My ridden stallion was done at 16. For him I had him knocked out on a woodchip school with 2 vets and a vet nurse to assist. Bit of swelling afterwards for which I had a return visit from the vet to check but no action needed.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Gelding an older stallion is not usually a problem; I have had several "done", but you may not achieve a great deal of difference in his behaviours. You may not also achieve the goal of turning him out for many hours: it has taken 2 years for my PRE stallion to agree to stay out for more than 20 minutes!
Pinkvboots
Well-Known Member
Agree with this as most stallions I have known don't want to be out for long so if its a behaviour they have had for years it may not change that much, however one of mine was cut at 4 and he was never that bothered about being out even before he was cut and even now at the age of 10 he would happily stay in with a haynet all day.
Moya_999
Well-Known Member
Not to risk IMO - depends on the individual horse and the life its lead, to many right a horse off at the age of 12 + some on our yard are 24 and still do sponsored rides.