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  Discussion on Pro's and con's on gelding a yearling
Author Message
New Member:
Jeddah

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 6:19 pm:

My now 3 month old colt will become a gelding, as all I have are mares. I would like to geld him next spring, so he can stay together with a filly out of my other mare.
Now some people say, thats too young!! He'll be smaller, weaker, less muscled and so on.
My only other option is to send him out to pasture with other colts, but then I'll have to send the filly out too, as I wouldnt like for her to be without a peer.
The idea of sending them out really bothers me, as I wouldnt be around them every day, and would have to hope and trust they dont get sick or injured with nobody noticing.

Can you advise me as too whether there has been any research done on the possible "affects" of gelding at one year of age? Does anybody have pesonal experiences that can help me decide when to geld?
Member:
Dres

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 7:28 pm:

i heard all the same rumors (?), but gelded my colt about 6 months old... he is 16'2+, has lots of muscle and a beautiful neck...

can only tell you how it worked for me

Ann
Member:
Reggie

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 7:36 pm:

My guy was gelded at 3 months, 23 years ago. He was gelded at a younger age than both his full brothers. He is a quarter horse, stands 16'2 and in his more youthful years weighed in at close to 1300 lbs. His brothers stand at 15'2 and 16 hands. My guy is bigger and more beautiful than both. ( and that is my "unbiased" opinion) ha.
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 7:49 pm:

It is my understanding that if you are going to geld, the sooner the better. He will heal much faster at a younger age.
Member:
Scline

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 10:11 pm:

I gelded my colt at 6 months of age and he's beautiful
Member:
1sally

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 3, 2003 - 10:16 pm:

Corine, I own a stallion that sired his first batch of foals as a yearling (I bought him as a 2 yr old). So I'ld be careful turning a yearling stud colt out with a filly
Member:
Mcjules

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 4, 2003 - 4:24 pm:

A lot of people like the looks of geldings who have been gelded later in life....but, like Sally indicated, I would be very careful turning a stud colt out with a filly - accidents do happen.
Member:
Jeddah

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 4, 2003 - 4:32 pm:

Thank you everybody! I am so relieved to hear these responses. My colt is 87,5% arab, he will not be halter shown, but hopefully be a nice endurance horse, so the "stallion-look" is not all that important.

He is already very studdy with a young mare that is also turned out is the pasture, he mounts her and everything, also already has both testicles DrOpped. With people he's fine, but is being raised under strickt "rules", so he doesnt get much of a chance ;-)

I will be very carefull with him and the filly!Maybe even have to geld him in the winter...?
Member:
Warwick

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 4, 2003 - 5:36 pm:

Hi Corinne

I gelded one colt at 10 months and he is 18 hands and spectacular. Gelded another colt at 8 months (very studdy colt and a horror to handle) and he is 16.2 hands. All are bigger than their respective sires.

All the vets I have used over the years have told me that colts will go through a big growth spurt shortly after castration and I have definitely noticed this.

From my experience, gelding young is definitely not detrimental.

Sue
Member:
Mwebster

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 4, 2003 - 6:04 pm:

I've heard that gelding early (any time after 2 weeks of age, but before 6 months of age) actually results in a bigger horse.
Member:
Roboski

Posted on Thursday, Jun 5, 2003 - 10:01 am:

My Walking horse was gelded at 4 years and is only 15'1 but does have that thick neck & musculature you'd expect.Of course, neither of his parents were larger. He's also very dominant and likes his own way. My son's QH was gelded at 4 months, is 16'2 at 3 years; considerably bigger than his dam and at least at big as his sire. Beautifully built and strong; sweet temperament.Anything to do with when they were gelded? Who knows!
Member:
Presario

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2003 - 10:17 am:

Rio was gelded at 10 months and is 16.3. His sire was 16.3, and his maternal grandsire was 17.1.

Corine, if your guy is already mounting this filly, it is possible he's already gotten her pregnant.
Member:
Goolsby

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003 - 8:44 am:

Im glad you started this post Corine. I had my first colt (1 month old now) and was wondering when to geld. After reading these post I think I will geld him this fall before he is 6 months as he will be in pasture with his dam and another mare. Is it better to geld when the temp. is cooler? Ive seen two right after being gelded during summer months and they looked miserable standing in the heat.
Member:
Jeddah

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003 - 9:36 am:

What I have read, it is better to geld when cooler, also because of the fly's. Glad my question also anwsered yours!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 11, 2003 - 5:43 am:

Don't forget everyone age and timing are covered in » Care for Horses » Routine Care & Procedures » Castration in Horses. Some of the questions suggest it has not been read.
DrO
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