Castration question

[lisae]

We've only had one ungelded colt to date and his buyers had him gelded later. So I'm not sure about this:

We have our new colt, Gunner, who is now 8 months old. Today I went to get him out of the barn and instead of stepping around the gate nicely, (opens in) he threw himself up against it, pushing at it and I noted he had his neck arched and he wasn't just dropped, he was actively moving his stallion bit with vigor (did I avoid the censorship software?) This is the first stud like behavior I've seen. I did get him to calm down by closing the gate back up and waiting for him to behave politely, which he did.

I've had the vet out to assess him for the procedure but his "boys" were way up inside him and she couldn't palpate anything. She said to wait for spring.

His breeder swore they were descended when I bought him but I have yet to see any proof.

I've read that when the horse is sedated for the procedure, the testicles often come down. Does anyone know how likely this is? I'd really like to get this done before he starts getting any more excitable! Or, impregnates the mares!

I'd hate to have him under sedation and nothing drops, but if it's like 80% likely, it would be worth doing. I suppose I should check with the vets....

Thanks, Lisa

[Mehitabel]

they can go up and down, i believe - weather, stress, etc. jav you had the snow like tootsie?
it sounds like he is having certain 'stirrings' to put it politely. spring is in the air hormone-wise, even if the snow is still on the ground. will he let you have a feel to see if they have put in an appearance?

[lisae]

We tried when the vet was out and he was under sedation (as she was looking at/cleaning out a kick injury to his left front leg) (no joint involvement happily!) He was a real wimp about the scrape - he still expects it to hurt when I run my hand over it now that it's fully healed.

And, he proved to be one of those that comes awake through sedation to object to handling! After we did the wound she attempted to find his bits but as you say he was both stressed and cold (me too - New Year's Eve = extra vet charge).

I havent tried since as it's been frigid and I didn't see anything while peering under there. (I'm quite the spectacle to people driving by!)

This weekend is supposed to have a warm-up to 60 degrees, I will try at that point. Will wear helmet in case he decides a cow-kick is warranted.

[Greentchr]

You might want to spend some serious time doing ground work with him before touching his 'privates'. I would start with a training stick or buggy whip gently touching him everywhere until he is OK with it before sticking my hand where it might put my head in range of a kick!

[Wally]

Colts can tuck their bits and bobs up out of the way, especially when a vet is trying to grab them!

[zipster]

You usually have to wait till their sac drops before castration. I have a 2 year old stallion and i started handling him at a about 3 mths. when he came to my barn. When i would brush him, i would brush on the inside of his legs. He now raises his leg out when i wash around his privates. He really enjoys it. I believe the more you handle your horse the more you can do with him. Be sure to get a reputable vet to do the castration. I saw someone do it at their barn with very little sedation, it was the most horrible site i had ever seen. Good luck. I have just started to breed my stallion.:)

[crazyhorse25600]

yes they will keep them tucked up, a friend bought a 2yr old supposed to have been gelded never showed any signs until he was bacled at 3 1/2 yrs then they dropped down and he started behaving like a stallion,
i will say that sedation does help them to relax and may help to let them drop,but not always
but another friend recently took her new 3 yr old colt to be gelded and his still haddn't dropped even with sedation so they had to go right up to find them.
the vets charged
nearly £400 for the castartion as they used more drugs and equpiment he also had to stay in for 3 days to monitor him.
hes only 11hh sec a so it was expensive just for a little one never mind a big one with the same problem.
just make sure you get a written quote before they do anything so you have proof of what there doing, get them to check before that they are there or i would leave him a little longer see if spring makes him drop them.