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Discussion on Gelding or rig (cryptorchid) behaviour?
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New Member:
kathjune
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 1, 2007 - 3:51 pm:
I have read many of the relevant discussions here and would be grateful of opinions on the behaviour of one of our ponies.
He is a 6 year old, 14.2hh appaloosa who was 'apparantly' gelded at 2.5 years old. We have only owned him 6 months. He was initially turned out with our other pony gelding and a pony mare. He quickly 'claimed' the mare as his and mounted her on many occasions when in season and I believe penetrated her at times. It became a worry he would injure her so they were seperated when she was in full season. She also continued to come into season throughout the winter months.
Another problem we had is that he behaved terribly if we went out anywhere and she was also there. If he saw her move away or be near other horses he behaved like an idiot and often reared quite violently calling for her.Also he refused to perform if she was present - stopping at the smallest of jumps, refusing to do simple things - mind preoccupied! On joining another 'unknown' gelding whilst hacking with the mare he began rearing up towards him.
Another mare was later turned out with them and he then became vicious towards our other pony gelding and preventing the two mares going near him(the other pony gelding) he hadnt been 'vicious' to him previously when just one mare present.
We have recently relocated in the UK and the ponies are kept at a large nearby livery yard. I asked that my two geldings be kept with just other geldings as I felt this would be the simpler way to avoid problems with any mares. How wrong could I be! He is out with our other pony gelding and two other gelding (one of which is definately dominant over him). He has been a bit 'nippy' and herd sour when catching him from the field which is quite unlike him and then tonight when I went to catch him he ran off - he has never done this before. However he didnt just run off he went directly to stand next to the wall where he could make contact with two mares in the adjoining field. The other geldings came over to join him there and he then let me catch him no problem. However as soon as I went to lead him away after a few metres he reared right up twice waving his legs about - the behaviour wasnt directed at me but scary all the same. He was clearly concerned about the other geldings being near the mares in the adjoining field and wanted to guard them. I eventually managed to get him from the field.
In general he is a dominant pony who needs careful handling and he tends to be quite nippy if he thinks he can get away with it. He paws the ground quite a lot and if I am riding him he is very distracted if mares are present and will take any opportunity he can to go butt sniffing!
Sorry this is so long but I would like opinions on whether his behaviour could really be possible in a true gelding or is it quite likely he could be cryptorchid or monorchid? I know only the tests can tell but does this behaviour sound like its worth doing. I am at my wits end with his behaviour. Although I find him manageable he is supposed to be a future pony club pony for my son. I bought him from a good friend who had no problems with him in mixed herd where he was not the dominant gelding, although she only had him 6 months as she bought him to bring on and sell.
I wanted a gelding so to avoid hormonal issues you can get with mares - now I feel like I got egg on my face!
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Member:
freshman
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Posted on Thursday, Mar 1, 2007 - 5:55 pm:
There are some geldings that will retain some stallion-like behaviors, and perhaps a few to the extent that you describe. But it is also just as likely that he is a cryptorchid or some testicular tissue remains in him. Have your vet examine him physically, and also draw blood to test for testosterone. You can have an answer very quickly, and at least know what you are dealing with.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 7:28 am:
Though suggestive of being a crypt unfortunately we cannot judge if this horse is from behavior alone. The article explains why and how to go about diagnosing a cryptorchid.
DrO
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Member:
liliana
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Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 1:23 pm:
Now that’s what I call love at first sight! 
My Chechen was a stallion for some 12 years and still mounts his mares! And I know he was gelded properly! I was there and so the whole thing and it was complete buttons and all… Now he lost one of his girls to one of the blind guys…also an Alfa they argued quite strongly for a while but it seems the SHE had the last word.
I thing that the fact they are gelded doesn’t make them forget what the equipment is for! Then again I have also had many geldings that just forgot about the whole thing or just didn’t find the love of their lives
Liliana
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New Member:
kathjune
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Posted on Friday, Mar 2, 2007 - 5:32 pm:
Hi
Thanks for your input. If it was just mounting mares I wouldn't be overly concerned as I have known quite a few geldings do that. What does concern me is his over reaction to other geldings when mares are present. He is way to protective and stallion like in my opinion.
I rode him out today with a friend and her mare. He just wanted to check the mare out all the time to see if she was in season. She wasn't though and was very tolerant of him although clearly I didnt really give him the chance to harass her either.
I think I will go ahead with the blood test to find out for sure.
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New Member:
kathjune
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 - 4:34 pm:
Hi
Just an update. I had a single blood test taken which showed he had in fact been castrated effectively. His behaviour has calmed much more as he has settled into the new yard and he is in fact a far nicer horse to be around than he was previously when kept with a mare. Having spoke to the owner who had him castrated he would of been around 3 years old so has clearly developed some 'male' tendencies.
Thanks all for your advice on the matter.
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Member:
freshman
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Posted on Saturday, Mar 31, 2007 - 10:00 pm:
Although it is expensive to deal with, I found myself wishing that my gelding had some sort of physical problem like cryptorchidism to explain his behavior. No luck.
It is much more difficult to deal with the ones like our guys that can't have their bad behavior surgically removed. It takes much more effort to manage these geldings that act like stallions. After all, there are reasons why we wanted a gelding in the first place... But it can be worth the hassle. 'Luck with your horse!
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Member:
boomer
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Posted on Monday, Apr 2, 2007 - 1:43 pm:
I have a 14 hand beautiful gelding that is 7. He was gelded at 5, when I bought him. He is 100% still stallion in the head. It's a pain in the rear.
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