How long until a castrated colt travel

GemBav

GemBav

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I have recently bought a 3 yr old colt who was castrated 2 days ago for me, at the stud farm I have just bought him from.
I know that it can take about 2 weeks for him to recover and for the drains to run dry.

My question is (which I have had conflicting info for): How long after he has been castrated can he be comfortably and safely be put into a trailer and travel home (which will take about 30-40 mins travelling)?

One friend seems to think that I could bring him home this weekend and another says to wait the 2 weeks.
Please help....I'm excited about my new boy and can't wait to get him home but I wouldn't want to put him in danger of being injured, especially after the fun of being gelded!
 
Mine was sent away because we have been so muddy here and he was cut on Sunday last. I won't be bringing him home until the weekend after next so it will be a fortnight since he's been done. I want him healed and sealed before I bring him home as it's easy for them to re open in the early days and I want him in the best place if that happens which is not our muddy field! (well, it's dried up now but you get the drift!)
I would advise caution even though you're itching with impatience as if he does re open during travelling or once in his new home, it is definitely a vet job so more expense too also the fact he is older might mean he'll need that more recovery time. I wouldn't rush it if it were me.
 
Hi, I bought a colt last year, the breeder had him castrated for me (as I have 2 mares !!!) and I think he came home to me about 3/4 weeks after that. Waited until he was fully healed cos we knew there would be a lot of running and hooning around when he came. Good luck.
 
Hi,
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I was thinking this too, just with someone saying differently I was wondering whether I could and if I was just being over cautions.

I think I will stick to my original plan and collect him when he has fully healed. I think he will already be feeling stiff and sorry for himself without the added stress of travelling and getting used to a new home and owner.

Thanks for your imput
 
My boy was castrated in July last year. He travelled straight after to his new field... Don't know if that's the same thing or not, but he was absolutely fine. As long as they're not thrashing about and being silly and the journey's not too long, I don't see why he can't travel a short distance...
 
Kub said:
My boy was castrated in July last year. He travelled straight after to his new field... Don't know if that's the same thing or not, but he was absolutely fine. As long as they're not thrashing about and being silly and the journey's not too long, I don't see why he can't travel a short distance...
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You were so lucky to get away with that, if I had done it, Murphy's Law, it would have gone wrong!
I know my vet would have been extremely unhappy if I had travelled my colt back home on Sunday; in fact he told me not to travel him until this weekend at the earliest to give time to heal. I had already decided on a fortnight for my own peace of mind so the extra week was a bonus as far as he was concerned.
Also, remember, OP's colt is a 3 year old so slightly more traumatic for him than a foal or yearling would be. It will still be at least six weeks before he is incapable of fertilizing a mare too so the longer he can be left where he is, the less hassle for everyone.
 
Sorry! I think you should go with how you feel. If you're happy that he's a sensible traveller and he isn't going far, I'd probably go ahead. Tbh, I didn't even think about it when I moved my boy as he was done at the vets and they were more than happy for him to travel straight away (if still a little dozey). Good luck, hope you get him home soon :)
 
Damn edit limit!

p.s.

MFH9 - My vets didn't mind at all... Especially as he was done at the vets so they knew he'd travel afterwards, but not very far so don't know if that's why they didn't mind... :S

Also, my boy was almost 2 when done and as the vet said himself, was not small (said he may as well have been castrating an adult horse lol!) so I think it's more dependant on the horse and their own reaction really. He was totally fine travelling afterwards, no problems at all, and he healed up lovely.

I just made sure he was kept away from mares for 6 weeks and moved about as much as possibly to help things along. I don't see why you can't do that at home if it isn't far to travel....
 
My colt was gelded last week. He had to go to the vets to be GA'd to have it done as he had one that hadnt come down properly. He went to the vets the monday evening, was done on the tuesday and i picked him up and travelled him home and put him straight out in the field on the wednesday evening. Vet did say i could travel him home on the tuesday evening but i said id like him to stay another night. Hes fine now and all healing nicely :)

Just to add that my boy is 2 yrs old and we had an hrs journey home. He travelled and loaded fine.
 
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Thanks everyone, I very much appreciate you all sharing your views and experiences with me, although I am still not sure what to do for the best yet :s
 
gemfox123 said:
Thanks everyone, I very much appreciate you all sharing your views and experiences with me, although I am still not sure what to do for the best yet :s
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Speak to your vet, they will advise you as to what is best. After all they arent going to let you do something to your horse that is going to detriment its well being!
 
I had one gelded a few years ago who had to go to the vet's to be done as he only had one descended testicle. He had a GA and was cut into the groin. The op was in the morning and he came home at tea-time when the GA had worn off. The trip was around 45 minutes and he was fine.
 
Hi Kub,
I decided to have him gelded and leave him there at their farm, paid money to cover the costs and weeks on horse still there and still no gelding and always one excuse after another as to why this is happening and even when arrangements have been put in place for me to finalise sale and take him home they cancel on me.

Unfortunately I put my trust in them and got stung......lesson learned!

However, there is a happy ending, I have just bought a most handsome 2 year old Arab gelding and he will be arriving to his new home in the next couple of days :)
 
I worked at a vets in Newmarket they used to geld them in the morning make sure they had eaten done droppings and were not colicing then sent them home at 4-5ish around -7hrs later.i would do what you are happy with, if you are unsure call yor own vet and ask there advise
 
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