young horse keeps biting

[Cortez]

Just to extend this a bit... The problem is that once the behaviours have started it is usually too late - if the horse is gelded before sexual maturity it will never produce testosterone. Once they have reached sexual maturity not only do the yesticles produce testosterone but the brain does too - even when the testicles are gone the brain will still produce some testosterone, hence why late gelding still leaves behaviours.

Testosterone is present in small amounts in geldings, and mares for that matter, and also is present before sexual maturity (ref. human teenagers, for instance . Gelding at any age can solve very many behavioural problems; one of my stallions was gelded at 11 years of age and was a very quiet, docile gelding thereafter, having been quite an aggressive stallion. His problems were most certainly resolved by gelding, but many will continue with unwanted behaviours if not handled well.

 

[EQUIDAE]

Testosterone is present in small amounts in geldings, and mares for that matter, and also is present before sexual maturity (ref. human teenagers, for instance .

Teenagers have already reached sexual maturity so the brain has already started producing testosterone. You mention mares - if mares were castrated, like we do to dogs and cats, they wouldn't exhibit "marish" tendencies. But it has to be done before maturity or there will always be residual hormone.

Late gelding may work, but equally it may not. Early gelding seldom fails.

 

[Cortez]

But it has to be done before maturity or there will always be residual hormone.

Sorry, but this is inaccurate. Testosterone is present before maturity, but in small amounts, likewise after castration. We all have testosterone, it has various functions in the body, not just sexual.

 

[EQUIDAE]

Sorry, but this is inaccurate. Testosterone is present before maturity, but in small amounts, likewise after castration. We all have testosterone, it has various functions in the body, not just sexual.

We all produce androgens, but in females testosterone it is converted into oestrogen, so testosterone in its true form should be present in minuscule amounts. I'm not sure what your point is I've been agreeing without you, just saying that there is more to it than your explanation (and my own)? are you trying to 'out science' me or something? Lol

 

[Cortez]

We all produce androgens, but in females testosterone it is converted into oestrogen, so testosterone in its true form should be present in minuscule amounts. I'm not sure what your point is I've been agreeing without you, just saying that there is more to it than your explanation (and my own)? are you trying to 'out science' me or something? Lol

No, not at all, just trying to point out that gelding will most likely do the trick, but not because it removes all the testosterone, which is (I think) what you are saying.

 

[Tyssandi]

Gelding won't stop a behavior :/

Well not entirely true, sorry about the pun. One of the owners in a previous yard had a colt which she wanted to breed from.
The horse sustained an injury in the field and was taken to Newmarket. When I drove to collect it with her the vet nurse told her he had bitten many staff so she said sorry to them.

Every precaution was taken in the field etc but his behaviour got to the stage the owner decided not to keep him entire.(owner experienced). It was decided to geld him in the end due to him behaviour, he did calm down and stop biting down to an odd nip. Now the owner told us he stopped nipping altogether and is enjoying being out with the others, so with some horses it can work.

 

[fburton]

I think it is correct to say that castration stops most stallion-like behaviour in the majority of geldings, including those late cut. The difference is usually quite striking (no pun intended). Oral fixation is more common in young, entire males, but isn't confined to that group.