Gelding mounting other geldings

[Theocat]

Mr 10-year-old TBx gelding is out in a herd with the other boys, and has (apparently) started mounting a few of them. I've never seen him do this, but the YO has. He did something similar last summer.

He's always had a tendency to "enjoy himself" - gets an erection after riding, at feed time, when being massaged or getting a good scratch, but that's normal for him and always has been. His behaviour is impeccable on the ground and under saddle. He's been a bit aggressive in the field recently with the arrival of a new horse, but certainly nothing out of the ordinary. He's fine with mares - always wants to say hello, but nothing more than that.

The YO is talking about him being riggy - personally I think this is just fairly normal behaviour; it's only become a bit of a problem because he has managed to give himself a bad back

So, questions - is it common for geldings to become more interested in "mounting" at certain times of year? Have I misunderstood riggy behaviour? Is something like rig calm likely to help with the mounting? He's unshod and hasn't done any damage yet (other than to himself) - opinions on what you would do, please! If it wasn't for the bad back I would ignore it, but I suspect they're linked ...

 

[wkiwi]

A rig is a horse that hasn't been gelded properly (e.g. some tissue remaining behind producing testosterone so stallion like behaviour). Be aware though that testosterone doesn't just come from the testes.
You can get your vet to test for various hormone levels in your gelding to see if it is this (note that it may not just be testosterone that is tested for).
Many geldings do show mounting behaviour naturally though, particularly if gelded late, and maybe yourse is reacting to the new horse in this way.

You might find these articles interesting
http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/Learnstall9-proudcut-apr09.pdf
http://liphookequinehospital.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Lab-Book-Cryptorchidism.pdf
http://research.vet.upenn.edu/Havem...lyandShowingStallionl/tabid/3034/Default.aspx

 

[wkiwi]

Dang computer keeps having hiccups - anyone know how to delete a copy when you've posted it twice, then please let me know1

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

My gelding isn't a rig but he enjoys himself plenty with the mares in his field and they enjoy having him there, he regularly hops on top despite being 24, he is also herd protective, can be aggressive with new horses in his herd and will stalk fence lines against other geldings.

He isn't a rig however, he just likes to be a proper boy. I wouldn't worry about it personally.