Yearling Fell pony

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Saela

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I have a precious fell pony colt who is just about to turn 18 months old. He is to be gelded, probably in the spring of next year. As he is my first really young horse, I'm not quite sure what to expect growthwise. Is it possible to say anything at all about how much more he is going to grow? Will it differ depending on when he is gelded? I have heard some say if a colt is gelded at a younger age, he is more likely to grow higher, but if he's gelded later, he'll be more filled out. Is there any truth to that? What would you say would be the best age for gelding him?
 
Saela said:
I have a precious fell pony colt who is just about to turn 18 months old. He is to be gelded, probably in the spring of next year. As he is my first really young horse, I'm not quite sure what to expect growthwise. Is it possible to say anything at all about how much more he is going to grow? Will it differ depending on when he is gelded? I have heard some say if a colt is gelded at a younger age, he is more likely to grow higher, but if he's gelded later, he'll be more filled out. Is there any truth to that? What would you say would be the best age for gelding him?
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I would geld him asap- now is great, before the mud starts. You’re also getting to the age where the risk of complication increases so I’d have them off sooner rather than later.
It’s true that gelding them tends to make them grow taller. The later you leave it, the more stallion characteristics he’s likely to have, such as a crestier neck
 
TheMule said:
I would geld him asap- now is great, before the mud starts. You’re also getting to the age where the risk of complication increases so I’d have them off sooner rather than later.
It’s true that gelding them tends to make them grow taller. The later you leave it, the more stallion characteristics he’s likely to have, such as a crestier neck
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Thank you for your advice! Maybe I'll have to reconsider gelding him now rather than in the spring.
 
A lot depends on genetics, do you know how big the sire and dam were? If you’re hoping for a taller pony l would definitely be looking at gelding asap. If he’s not going to be used to breed from it’s also sensible to geld earlier than later. In the UK winters can be wet and muddy so better to do the deed before the weather turns, also it’s much better if they can be outside and free to walk / trot around rather than being confined afterwards.
 
gallopingby said:
A lot depends on genetics, do you know how big the sire and dam were? If you’re hoping for a taller pony l would definitely be looking at gelding asap. If he’s not going to be used to breed from it’s also sensible to geld earlier than later. In the UK winters can be wet and muddy so better to do the deed before the weather turns, also it’s much better if they can be outside and free to walk / trot around rather than being confined afterwards.
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If I remember correctly, the dam is just short of 14hh and the sire was 13.2hh.
Thing is, he is currently living with three other colts and their owner recommended gelding in the spring. I just can't remember why! Of course it is my choice what I do with my pony, but I also do listen to advice from others with more experience of having young horses.
 
It's worth gelding now rather than later - the mud won't have time to set in and cause issues, he can be out and about to reduce swelling and you won't have the worry of flies x

For what it's worth :

Rabbit my 2.5 year old gelding was gelded at about 1 year and 2 months - this was purely because he kept hiding them every time the vet fancied a feel around 🤣

He is currently 2.5 years old and stands about 15.3 hands - he's still having growth spurts so I'm looking at him getting upwards of 16 hands, which is alright as I like my horses large, despite only being 5'1 in height!

His parents are both around the 15.2hh mark, his Dam is slightly more sporty built than his Sire, but put both together have resulted in Rabbit being a decent height and build.

He's not rock solid, but he's not a slim model either - a nice in between size where he'll take my leg perfectly but not be too heavy set, and equally won't end up too sporty like.

But to throw a spanner in the works his siblings range from 15.2 hands all the way up to 17.1 hands 🤣
 
tda said:
Hes a Fell pony, if he makes 14hh that will be it. Geld him now or later I don't think it makes much difference
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I was wondering the same - Fells never get very tall so a six month difference in gelding time probably isn't going to impact his height much. Fells are always short and tank like, that's why they're so useful!

You've done pretty well to get him to 18 months without him being a pest - my Connemara was gelded at 1 year 1 month because he started trying to mount his field companion, and I decided we couldn't be doing with that thank you. They came off the next week! Or perhaps mine is just particularly characterful- I don't have enough experience of youngsters to know.
 
Widgeon said:
I was wondering the same - Fells never get very tall so a six month difference in gelding time probably isn't going to impact his height much. Fells are always short and tank like, that's why they're so useful!

You've done pretty well to get him to 18 months without him being a pest - my Connemara was gelded at 1 year 1 month because he started trying to mount his field companion, and I decided we couldn't be doing with that thank you. They came off the next week! Or perhaps mine is just particularly characterful- I don't have enough experience of youngsters to know.
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Yes, their compact size is one of many reasons I adore them so much! I don't want him to become too tall either. Anything between 13hh and 14hh would be ideal!

He really is such a sweetheart 🥰 No bad behaviour what so ever (this far... I know things can change quickly with little ones!)
 
Saela said:
He really is such a sweetheart 🥰 No bad behaviour what so ever (this far... I know things can change quickly with little ones!)
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Bless him, he must be really kind natured. My Connie is a sweetie but he does have a lot of opinions, and he pretty much flipped like a switch within two days - he was his normal gently thuggish but very manageable self, then suddenly he was an irritating pest humping my other horse and forgetting all his respect for me! I was a bit horrified. Off they came and normal service resumed.
 
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