My gelding thinks he's a colt...could he be??

[Wend]

I have a 2 year old Highland gelding , gelded a year ago. He is displaying some colt like tendancies, mounting mares(fully aroused) biting, aggression, rounding up mares...... Some people are saying that it could just be normal and some are convinced he has not been fully gelded. Anyone got any advise or experience please.....:confused:

[stephanie bay]

Funnily enough I had a highland gelding I was sure was a rig.

The vet checked him over and said he was gelded correclty - his problems came from the people delivering him to me 2 weeks after he was gelded to be kept beside my rather mareish mare - he was either trying to mount her or suckle from her.

I recommend getting the vet to check him over.

Also see if you can find out the history of his 'gelding' as I am sure my boys problems came from still being full hormones and being parked in a field beside a frisky mare. Also he wasn't gelded until her was 2yo and handled very little - so he thought he was the 'man'.

Global herbs rigcalm is worth a try.

[Holly B]

I think it's highly likely he's a rig. This is where a horse is gelded but not fully because one testicle or part of a testicle has been retained inside the body. It's quite difficult to tell which is why the vet probably missed it when he was gelded. When this happens testosterone is released into the bloodstream in the same way it would in a stallion which is why he is exhibiting stallion-like behaviour. Best thing to do would be to get the vet out to check. I'm not sure but I think sometimes a further operation can be done to correct the problem. Other times though, I'm afraid, nothing can be done and the rig has to be kept almost like a stallion, totally separate from mares.

[ColouredChaos]

I have both a two year old and three year old and both are definitely gelded. The younger was gelded by my own vet and i witnessed two testicles removed with my own eyes! but he displays definite colt tendencies, even the vet commented the other day that he would be considering rig status if he hadn't gelded himself!

The older three year was kept whole until two and he's somewhat agressive with mares but doesn't show the same coltish attitude the other does.

So in our case we put it down to attitude rather than testosterone (sp!)

[ponylover88]

My gelding acts very stalliony towards horses. He mounts my mare, full works etc, rears up a fair amount etc and generally is quite stalliony. Weve just decided he was gelded late.

[Emz]

Agree with the above

Double check he's not a rig (though vet)
Could be the hormones haven't gone out his system yet?? I've found can take up to 18months.
Vet can also test his hormone levels and check everyhting is normal there.

[Nanook]

I think it's highly likely he's a rig. This is where a horse is gelded but not fully because one testicle or part of a testicle has been retained inside the body. A rig is not where the colt was gelded but not fully. they are generally considered a rig, crypchid or highflanker before any surgery is done to remove the lurking testical or testicals. A vet should be able to tell you before gelding if there is a testical missing. As was the case last fall when i went to have my colt gelded. If the colt isn't gelded completely it is more likely known as being proud cut. where part of of the testical is still within the cavity and as a result can still produce testostrone.Or they continue to have stallion like qualities. Some geldings are actualy proud cut on purpose if the owner wants a more spirited horse. I found it annoying with my boy since it took alot to keep his attention on my when a flashy tail walked by. . Usually rigs will get really agressive and sour if not gelded. I have a proud cut saddlebred who is 16 and can become very 'studdy.' around mares. i also have a cryptchid (rig) colt 2 yrs old whas just gelded yesterday. This kind of surgery can be expensive, up too 2000.00 cad. and they do have to put them under to get that lurking testical. lucky me i get stuck with the trouble makers lol :rolleyes: good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Wend]

Vet's coming tomorrow morning to do blood test........

[LCQH]

Hope it turns out alright. Let us know.

[Afellpony]

My first Exmoor pony, Rufus was a rig. He was lovely to ride out on his own and with geldings but.. if he knew there was a mare on the livery yard in season then he ws dangerous. I used to hack him out for hours on a Sunday on our own and he really was nice. However, one Saturday I went to take him out and he 'got wind' of a mare in season. We were on the road and he started playing up and bucking. He couldn't get me off so he threw himself down on me, then ran off to the farm where he knew the mare was. I sold him after that to people in the middle of the country surrounded by cows and not a mare in sight!!!!! I also told them what he'd done. I wasn't able to ride for ages after that and for a while would only ride mares. I believe rigs can now be determined by a hormone test.:eek:

[vikkit06]

hi.
do you know the full history of your horse?maybe as a stallion he covered lots of mares and sumtimes this can make a differance to being gelded as the hormones can stay longer.you could try turning him away in his own feild for a bit were he can still see the other horses.the other alternitive is trying him on some specail feed or just tell him of and correct him when hes bein horny lol.good luck xxx

[Wend]

Vet has said to leave the test for a while, it costs quite a bit for such a young horse. Working on a few aspects of his behaviour and he seems to be getting better, no more dangerous moments!!! thanks for the advice everyone, no one said it was going to be easy.........
Wend

[Kalasadi]

30% of geldings retain the function of covering mares.

Nothing wrong-not a rig!

Blood test will confirm that both testicles were taken away during the 'gelding' operation.

[Tots N Dots]

I have a 3 year old who was gelded at just over 2 years, he is quite coltish in his behaviour as well, I think it can happen if they are gelded late, I am just hopeing he grows out of it a bit

[Wally]

Loads of Icelandic geldings keep the urge right through to later life, (20) they actually serve the mares, they are proper geldings too.

Maybe Highlands being similar to Icelandics have the same strong urges.

[xx_bec_xx]

You should get a vet out out to see whether he is a rig or not. It sounds like he could well be. Either a rig, or has only recently been gelded. It is always worth getting them checked out though, just in case! xXx

[Wend]

Problem sorted. He spent the summer at a stables and I have handled him every day, he is now a gentleman.......most of the time anyway.

[pengapenga]

Problem sorted. He spent the summer at a stables and I have handled him every day, he is now a gentleman.......most of the time anyway.

Glad you he is behaving:) I have just had my daughters gelding gelded:eek: