Gelding colts and livery yards

Kat

Kat

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Just wondering what people think is reasonable in terms of allowing colts on to livery yards with mares.

How long beforehand would you expect it to have been gelded before arrival? What sort of precautions would you expect to be in place to minimise disruption etc?

Assuming the yard is a commercial yard, with mares and geldings and no special facilities or fencing. Stables are of a type where contact between neighbouring horses is possible.
 
Just wondering what people think is reasonable in terms of allowing colts on to livery yards with mares.
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I would expect it to be gelded prior to arrival. Can't think of any reason really (apart from retained testicle) as to why it wouldn't have been.
 
amymay said:
I would expect it to be gelded prior to arrival. Can't think of any reason really (apart from retained testicle) as to why it wouldn't have been.
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How long beforehand to minimise risks and to ensure "coltish behaviour" has ceased? I'm finding very conflicting information......
 
Kat said:
How long beforehand to minimise risks and to ensure "coltish behaviour" has ceased? I'm finding very conflicting information......
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Well, standard procedure is to geld prior to weaning. But if the youngster is older, (say a yearling) then I think 3 months is advised.

You may get better informed advice in Breeding though.
 
Agree once gelded, then nothing really. I'd expect some common sense with turnout companions, eg suitable play mates, rather than in a small field with one old horse that needs a quiet life. And if just done then common sense as to which mares its with. My 14.2 has been out with entire or just gelded pony colts, she keeps them in order. Whereas I wouldn't want one out with the tarty 11.1. Stabling etc wouldn't bother me, I've been on yards with stallions, no problem if people have common sense.
 
How old is the colt? If its a weanling then i wouldnt have issue with it coming onto my yard as soon as it was safe to travel after the op, obviously for something older you would want to leave it a while (usually 8 weeks) for the hormones to settle. If your yard is happy to accommodate it straight after gelding then just use common sense with the turn out, i wouldnt turn out a newly gelded colt with mares, but in fairness thats because i had an idiot turn his recently gelded 3yr old out with my mare.....11months later 1 foal arrives, was not impressed.
 
Kat said:
Yearling colt, no other youngsters on the yard so will go out with older geldings I guess. It isn't mine.
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So, you're on livery - and concerned about how this will affect your horses?

I guess you're going to have to suck it an see. However, at a year old it should be fine.
 
My boy was entire when he arrived on the livery yard at 6 months. Gelded at a year and 2 months. Owners had no issues. He behaved, wasnt interested in the mares, they didnt fuss about him, he was in a field on his own at first where he could not get out and if he did there was plenty of big hedges around to slow his progress, then moved in with a just gelded pony. Only reason he was gelded when he was was because of his behaviour towards me.
 
Takes 6-8 weeks for the sperm to no longer be in the tubes according to my vet and if an older horse like 3years plus then up to 6 months before the testosterone levels drop enough to be what we consider normal levels of behaviour. So just being careful regarding turnout and what sex horse is on either side of stable door and all will be good.
 
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