Castration is a common surgical procedure in horses with almost every male horse going through the procedure. Done properly the incidence of serious complications is low however many horse owners have not gone through the procedure and have anxieties about it. This article explains when is the best time, how the procedure is done, and post-op care. Recognition of complications and treatments is covered. Also covered is the diagnosis and methods of dealing with cryptorchid stallions.

Around 12 to 16 months of age a colts testis begin to secrete testosterone. Now he will not become fertile until around his second year, perhaps a little earlier, but he will begin to display stallion-like behavior. You can typify this behavior as: easily distracted, particularly by other horses, increased attempts to communicate with other horses, increase in colt-like play behavior that may shape itself into aggressive acts like nipping, head butting, pawing, and kicking.

The behavioral problems are dependent on both the quality of the training and innate personality of the horse. There are some stallions that with a minimum of training are nice guys and then there are stallions with good, consistent, training that are dangerous to handle. The majority fall in between with consistent, experienced training and handling they are safe and enjoyable horses to be around. You just have to remember about most stallions: every day is a training day.