would you keep him entire???

gumpatrump

gumpatrump

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This is my yearling colt and we are in major debates whether to keep him entire or to castrate him next month. He is a Knabstrupper (I think that is how you spell it) x Cleveland bay and will make over 16hh. I want to castrate him but my OH wants to keep him entire and technically he belongs to the OH. I just think it will be difficult to keep a stallion at our yard and not sure if anyone would want to breed from a stallion that isn't a pure bred. What do you guys think of him and do you think he could be stallion potential?
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He is attractive with his colouring but IMHO they have to be special to be kept entire. He is also an unusual cross so the market for mares may be limited. I have to admit I know very little about Knabsruppers, what are they used for?
 
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He is attractive with his colouring but IMHO they have to be special to be kept entire. He is also an unusual cross so the market for mares may be limited. I have to admit I know very little about Knabsruppers, what are they used for?

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Ditto ^^^^^
 
Just found this on the internet with a little bit of info about the breed.

Knabstruppers are valued for their kind temperaments, high level of trainability, strength, stamina and good health as well as for their wonderful colour. Over the past two centuries, there have come to be three rather distinct types of Knabstruppers: the Sport Horse type, the Baroque type and the Pony type. The Sport Horse type has been bred to excel in dressage, eventing and show jumping and has been developed by crossing the Knabstrupper with the warmblood sport horses of Europe.
 
I'm not an expert on breeding, but I think the market for Knabstrupper x Cleveland Bay stallions would be so small as to make the effort of keeping him entire disproportionate.
So, although he is very nice, I'd geld him (he may also have a happier life gelded).
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As above too.

But also you'll need to improve your fencing if the yard also has mares. I've seen stallions go over, under or just through electric tape to get to a mare!
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You really do need proper facilities to keep a stallion regardless of whether you ever intend to breed. And if you don't, why keep him entire?
 
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I'm not an expert on breeding, but I think the market for Knabstrupper x Cleveland Bay stallions would be so small as to make the effort of keeping him entire disproportionate.
So, although he is very nice, I'd geld him (he may also have a happier life gelded).
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Thank you Shils!! Saved me from finding the words!! I could not agree more!
 
I would only keep him entire if you plan to breed from him. You could put the decision off until next year to see how his temperament is. If he has been brought up around mares & treated like any other horse then you may find you have no problem with him being entire. It also depends on where you keep him and if they will accomodate an entire.

If you do plan to keep him as a stallion then you will probably have to get him out there competing & doing well to be able to attract any mares. This will mean a big time & financial commitment for you....
 
To answer the question about what are Knabbies used for
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They can do anything
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Shameless plug
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There are two gradings taking place at the end of September where you woud be very welcome to come & see this wonderful breed
http://www.knabstruppersociety.org.uk/Knabstrupper%20Society%20GB%20Grading%20Information.htm

This is the Knab stallion Zanko at the paralympics winning his silver medal. They also jump, event , drive etc etc
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http://www.fei.org/paralympics/Media/fei...es/pg_day4.aspx

Breed Website here http://www.knabstrupperforeningen.dk/

 
He is beautiful, but having a stallion about the place is one heck of a kerfuffle in most instances, and as a general purpose horse a gelding is much more pleasant to own.

I would do it sooner rather than later as a lot of stalliony behaviour is learnt and will continue after gelding if it becomes established.

I always find it quite amusing how personally men take castration! It took me ages to persuade my father to have his crazy escaping terrier done!
 
What are WB's & ISH's if not a mix of breeds? He is an unsual mix & not a reason to have him cut. What you need to ask yourself is will he have a life as a stallion, especially as you dont have your own facilities. There are places that take stallions but they are few & far between, unless he goes to a stud. If he is to stand any chance as a competition horse then he will need to be produced by someone who knows what they are doing. Get an expert opinion on him, this may make the decision easier for you.
 
Geld him. Lovely little horse but not stallion material.
You have to think about what he 'brings to the breeding table' so to spaeak and the mix of blood that he is brings in extrs variables when it comes to genetics. Yes i know the WB is type actually not really a breed bit it has such a strong and long breeding statistical history you can start to uderstand what you may get and why.
I also dont think that his hind leg conformation is good enough for breeding, his neck a little tied in at the base of the chest and he lacks shoulder and freedom in the elbow.
These are small but salient points when considering a horse for stallion potential and also points that would be considered for grading.[important for for papers and pasports of young stock]
Keeping stallions also needs careful consideration, even well kept stallions encounter stresses in the normal coarse of life so his happiness needs to be considered.
 
Have to agree completely with Partoow.

Hew oudl be much better gelded and enjoy a normal horse life much more the sooner you call the vet in -- and now is the ideal time of year (no flies and getting cooler) to do it, so get on the phone and make the appointment today (provided both have dropped down of course!).

If they haven;t then do it as soon as they have.
 
i personally would geld as he doesnt look breeding material but if he is quiet enough leave him for a bit longer to see how he matures, my stallion was very immature at that age and has taken a while to grow up but he has thrown some stunning foals who are doing very very well in the show ring so you never know.
 
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