When's best to geld, and Wean?

vick

vick

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Just a general enquiry..Whens best to geld? While he's still with mum? My little chap is 5 months. His bits are visable, but im unsure if they are fully down? Im guessing that i will have to have it done soon or wait until after winter when the weather gets better. Am i best to keep him with mum as long as possible, aslong as mums ok with it?

Thanks

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Both testicles need to be fully descended before you can castrate. Then technicaly you can wean at any time after that. Ideally you should wait a couple more months and do it while he is still on his mum, that will mean a quicker recovery and less chance of affecting his growth/weight.

Many people wean at 6 months but IMO that is far too early, unless the mare is very poor and not coping. 9 months would be the minimum age i would wean, preferably at 12 months if the mare is not to be covered again.

DO NOT wean and castrate together. Again, fairly common practice but it puts ALOT of stress on the foal. There was a post recently where someone had bought an unhandled foal that was weaned and moved to a new home on the same day and was then castrated just a few days later. This really is the worse way to do it.

When you do wean, please do it gradually. Make sure both the mare and foal have company and do it over a period of at least 4 weeks. this will minimise stress for both mare and foal. Importantly, it also gives the foals digestive system time to adjust to minimise the risk of ulcers and colic.
 
I would geld around 6 months (providing they have dropped enough to be able to!) and wean around 7 1/2 months earliest, leave him with her as long as you want to otherwise!
 
my filly will be getting weaned next month as she will be 6 months. i got last years colt gelded when he was about 10 months when his testicles were fully dropped and he wasn't with his mum. he coped realy well. i wouldn't leave him with his mum much after he is 6 months as he might take it cut of the mare and he will cope very well without mum. this way you will be able to put your mare back into work as well. speak to your vet regarding gelding him to put your mind at ease
 
I bought a colt early this year. Did my research online and rang plenty of vets too!

Age is irrelevant as to when to chop, it's a case of when they have dropped properly. The internet said if they are dropped at a few days of age, it can be done!! Poor little might if you ask me mind!! Although there are different opinions as to age. I had always been told 6 months plus to chop, and the best time of year is in November or February. This is because it's colder months which helps ease the swelling, and there's no flies about, so less risk of infection.

Another bit of advice I was told was to have it done in the field in case they wobble over (if done standing). Then they won't get cast, hurt themselves, or injure you if done in an enclosed area. Also to keep them separate in a clean paddock away from the other horses for a few days so he doesn't go bombing round the field and rupturing something!

I lived my colt out during his chopping experience. My friend stabled hers, and he had more extreme swelling as he was able to walk it off, and also got two infections from the bedding, even though she mucked out twice a day.

My colt was weaned when I picked him up at 10 months old from his mum. He hadn't been handled before then! I chopped him the following month, once I had mastered handling him! It may be of use to know that swelling can take anywhere from a week to a fortnight to go down, and it's totally normal.

Hope this helps xx
 
Ideally, geld while he's still on the mare - and when weather suitable. Any time from now should be good! And then wean when you want to unless the mare is in foal again.

I say - ideally - as they're not all sufficiently developed to geld at that age - your vet can have a grop and tell you Yay - or Nay!
 
Merlin was weaned at 7 months, and he is 2 1/2yo now and still hasn't been cut as his balls only appeared a couple of months ago!
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