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Discussion on Yearling Mule Castration - Not Fully Descended
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Member:
dccranch
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Posted on Thursday, Oct 30, 2014 - 1:55 pm:
I really want to go ahead and get my baby mule gelded. One of my vets came out when I first got him and said he could feel both testicles but they were still high....that I would have to wait to geld. But I read on one of Dr.O's posts that if you can feel the testicles, even if not fully descended, you CAN geld.
Now, about 6 weeks later I can see at least one descended testicle. Should I go ahead and schedule an appointment?
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Member:
zaza
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Posted on Monday, Nov 3, 2014 - 1:17 pm:
I don't know if you can or not... sounds like you probably could but your particular vet isn't comfortable with the idea.
Either way, I just wanted to add food for thought... My gelding was castrated at the age of about 4 years old because well that's when I bought him and had it done after he was used as a breeding stallion (not an ideal situation). My point is because it was so late he really filled out, big thick neck and muscles even though that's not his breed conformation several people mentioned that it definitely helped his conformation to stay as a stallion until he finished growing only because those hormones really added that extra umpf to his body. He recovered on schedule like the vet said, no unforeseeable issues and it was even done with him standing moderately sedated. Regarding his temperament for waiting so long, nothing a good training didn't fix.
I can only assume that would translate to a mule but I don't really know mules.
Perhaps you have plans for him sooner and being a stallion is not feasible.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 12, 2014 - 3:06 pm:
Hello DCCR,
Even if not easily visible if they can be felt they can be removed without much trouble.
DrO
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Member:
dccranch
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Posted on Friday, Dec 19, 2014 - 2:00 pm:
Thanks for the input. We are scheduled for surgery tomorrow.
Elizabeth - from what I know of mules and from other mule owner input.....the 'donkey' genetics can make for a VERY unruly equine (more so than a stallion horse) if they aren't gelded as soon as possible. I would love to have a bit taller mule but the risks of waiting (in regards to a mule) seem to outweigh the possible chance of him getting taller.
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Friday, Dec 19, 2014 - 2:27 pm:
DCCR,
My best friends horse was gelded at 8 mos old, gelding him that early did not stunt his growth. He topped out at almost 17 hands and neither one of his parents were that tall.
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Member:
zaza
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Posted on Friday, Dec 19, 2014 - 3:51 pm:
I see what you are saying and I completely agree with temperament is everything and you are definitely in a knowledgeable position compared to me regarding mules and donkeys.
but just to be clear I never said anything about height/tall. I believe height is in the genes not in being a stallion. I said conformation and musculature, thick neck, etc. I've yet to hear anybody disagree with that. That said I am not at all familiar with mule's built and I personally would never choose a "look" over temperament, so to be clear I do agree with you on not risking the studish/aggressive behavior. My gelding had a very built look for a long time that definitely was not done by exercise (of course working him out would create the same result) and it was definitely not in his genes. To give you an idea they thought he was a quarter horse for a while when in fact he comes from lineage of very slender,narrow built especially in shoulders and neck. Nothing to do with height/tall
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