Why geld

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twobearsarthur

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I have seen a couple of colt yearlings that i am thinking i might want to buy.
The new yard i am going to be on doesnt mind having colts/stallions on it and has turn out for them.
What I need is the pros/cons of leaving them entire and for how long what age do people think is the best time to geld them?
Im thinking any biological reasons too eg do colts grow taller if left longer etc...
 
Theres some theory that stallions are acctually smaller because their growth goes into crests and other secondary sexual features. Or something like that.

TBH leaving them entire, if they're not that special or going to be bred, is just a limiting factor. If you had to change yards it's difficult to find one to take a stallion and turnout might be an issue. shows might want special arangements and all sorts of other bits.
 
I think the only question anyone should ask is - why should I NOT geld? As far as I am concerned, you need a good reason not to, and extra height (which is not true anyhow) is not a good reason.
 
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What I need is the pros/cons of leaving them entire and for how long what age do people think is the best time to geld them?
Im thinking any biological reasons too eg do colts grow taller if left longer etc...

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There are NO pros to keeping a colt entire if he isn't a stallion prospect!!

Boys actually grow taller if you geld them early. Some colts - testosterone driven - can become very 'colty' and ill-mannered. Once they get to this stage, gelding is NOT enough to 'cure' them (as they have learned bad behaviour!)

I run a few colts (pure pred Irish Draughts) on as stallion prospects - but anything that is NOT a potential RID stallion gets the chop - the sooner the better! 5 months is not too young (assuming testicles have descended.)
 
I don't know about stallions... but my vet told me to castrate my dog.. even though we have NO problems with him entire. she just said, unless we were planning on breeding him, testicles are just another thing that can go wrong... so chop 'em off!

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It wouldnt be a case of keeping them entire permanently more when do people think is the best age to leave them till and why. I was curious as in the past i have always had them gelded immediately as didnt have the option to "wait until whens the best time". If that makes more sense.
 
a horse is not a dog. A dog you can do any time you like, horses should be done asap, else you are just asking for problems.
 
[ QUOTE ]
It wouldnt be a case of keeping them entire permanently more when do people think is the best age to leave them till and why. I was curious as in the past i have always had them gelded immediately as didnt have the option to "wait until whens the best time". If that makes more sense.

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Well it's not unheard of for yearlings to sire foals and the younger they are, the better they heal so I'd go with the "as soon as" route.
 
i would get them done as soon as they drop if they are not going to breed. your vet will feel for them and let you know if they are both their.
 
My home bred colt suddenly turned randy at 9 months! He just went crazy, running through electric fences trying to mount my other horses; I had to shove him in a stable and call the vet very speedily
shocked.gif
 
As has already been said, nless he is going to b bred from he is 'better' off without them.

I think you answered your own question regards to housing, you are lucky that your yard will accept colts/stallions.

It also will be distressing for him when he comes upon in heat mares, if you leave it too long he could be a tad riggy ( have seen it, and was worse than dealing with a stallion)

All our geldings take an interest in an in heat mare but nothing more than that.

Bye, Bye balls me thinks
 
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