what age to castrate?

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ldlp111

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I know this is probably a how long is a piece of string type question but am possibly going to be buying a youngster (colt) but I have a mare and my old pony (gelding) obviously they won't be going straight out together but will be in fields side by side to start with. But am wondering at what age is he likely to be fertile as although the foal would probably be fairly nice I don't want any accidents ;) So am just trying to get as much info as possible, also do you think it's mean to keep him on his own (he's only 6 months old) :confused:

thanks :)
 
I didnt get my colt castrated until he was two and thought that was a good time as he had bulked out a bit

In your case though I wouldnt take any risks at all and would almost be tempted to ask that the colt is castrated after weaning but before coming to you so he can recover in familiar surroundings

If thats not possible then I would get it done asap after he arrives

Not sure at what age they actually become fertile though - perhaps I am too cautious!
 
I agree with Amymay. We had the colt here castrate when he was five months old and then he was weaned at six months. He did really well and hardly seemed to even notice. Regarding keeping him alone, yes, it would be totally unfair to expect him to be turned out alone.
 
Ah thanks for the replies :)
He would only be on his one until the other two are used to him over fence, and once he's castrated, i'm not too worried about the gelding but my mare can be abit of a grump although i'm hoping as he's young she accept him better. :)
But he won't have anyone his own age, although my gelding used to play with youngsters in the past :)
 
Just to add, the colt should be kept away from mares for at least 6 weeks after castration as he could potentially still be fertile, also he is likely to get himself kicked for being a nuisance.
 
A six month old colt won't be fertile, SOME yearlings can be, but it's usually not until 2 that they are. Castrating a weanling would probably be the easiest on the horse as far as recovery is concerned, and a study some years ago found that it actually made very little difference to the mature horse when it was done, although some late castrated horses were not as tall and had more developed crests and general musculature. I usually think about castrating whenever they decide to become a pain in the ar*e, which could be 6 months, usually about a year old, sometimes not until 3 years, sometimes never.
 
Thanks for the replies :)
Another question do you think travelling a young horse for what will likely be a 3hr plus journey is ok? :)
 
ldlp111 said:
Thanks for the replies :)
Another question do you think travelling a young horse for what will likely be a 3hr plus journey is ok? :)
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Of course it is. How else are you going to get it home? Just make sure the top doors are closed, travel it loose without partitions or breast bars.
 
ldlp111 said:
Thanks for the replies :)
Another question do you think travelling a young horse for what will likely be a 3hr plus journey is ok? :)
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Should be fine. We travelled our now 3 yr old Welshie colt at 5 months old from wales up to s.yorkshire which took 3-4 hours & he was absolutely fine. Partition in trailer was out and we bedded it with straw incase he wanted to lay down. He didn't lay down but just braced himself in the centre. :)
 
Hi! Yes I agree have him gelded before you pick him up and be very careful with him round your mare in particular - take your older horses shoes off if they have them too, at least at first. Travelling will be fine. My then 6 month old colt travelled 5 hours to get to me but to reduce the stress (on me!) I hired a highly recommended transporter to bring him. Good luck with him! :)
 
Thanks :)
Is it essential to take partition out, only ask as I have an ifor the 510 and I think to take partition out you need to unbolt from underneath, i've never had the partition out either :)
 
ldlp111 said:
Thanks :)
Is it essential to take partition out, only ask as I have an ifor the 510 and I think to take partition out you need to unbolt from underneath, i've never had the partition out either :)
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So how would that work then if you left him loose in your trailer with the partition still in? :confused3:

As to gelding, yes totally agree with everyone else who suggests having him castrated at the place he is at right now. Much less stress on him doing it that way.
 
Ifor's are normally easy to take the partion out of (with two people ideally), first there is a screw/bolt on the centre pole just above the partitions, take this out and then the partitions should lift off one at a time, then there is normally a bolt/clip thing holding the central pole in to the ceiling, take the clip/spring thing off and pull out the bolt. Then you just need to ease the centre pole backwards or forwards and then when you have enough room lift out of the hole in the floor that it fits into. Job done!
 
Yes I see your point Spring feather travelling loose wouldn't work very well with the partition in :o
Didn't realise partitions came apart so much :)
I'd really need to cover window as well :confused: i'm guessing some cardboard will be fine? I'm sure we didn't do this when last two youngsters came home although that was over 11 years ago and my memory is not what it used to be :o
 
ldlp111 said:
Yes I see your point Spring feather travelling loose wouldn't work very well with the partition in :o
Didn't realise partitions came apart so much :)
I'd really need to cover window as well :confused: i'm guessing some cardboard will be fine? I'm sure we didn't do this when last two youngsters came home although that was over 11 years ago and my memory is not what it used to be :o
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Any young and or frightened animal will head for daylight in an attempt to escape what is stressing it. Unfortunately they have no concept that the 12" square of daylight is not big enough to fit 500kg of horseflesh through. Classic example is the horse going over the breast bar and out of the open jockey door.

I transported a newly weaned ID colt some years ago and the stud advised me to cover the trailer window, it is something I have never forgotten.
 
Liane said:
Ifor's are normally easy to take the partion out of (with two people ideally), first there is a screw/bolt on the centre pole just above the partitions, take this out and then the partitions should lift off one at a time, then there is normally a bolt/clip thing holding the central pole in to the ceiling, take the clip/spring thing off and pull out the bolt. Then you just need to ease the centre pole backwards or forwards and then when you have enough room lift out of the hole in the floor that it fits into. Job done!
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I've never taken the screw/bolt thing out :eek: just angle the partitions quite a bit so they slide out past it. Piece of bale string through the top pin thing makes getting it out much easier. It can be a pain to get back in though, something solid to push it with helps.
 
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