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  Discussion on No One Told HIM He's a Gelding!
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Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 1999 - 11:22 am:

I really need some help with this one. I have recently purchased a 9 year old warmblood gelding who for the most part, has a wonderful attitude. However, the problem is when he is around mares in season, he behaves JUST like a stallion, to the extent that one day he went over the fence after the mare in the next paddock and actually was in the process of mounting her when he was stopped.

The other day he was turned out in the paddock with 2 fillies in the next one (who were just being brought back in, since we know there is a problem). I could see for myself how he reacted to one of them, who was in season, and also, how *SHE* reacted, which was exactly as if he WAS a stallion. They were ready to go to it!

This horse has been a gelding at least since the age of 3. My intention is to show him in dressage and I am worried that he will be very distracted by the female horses. I have owned 3 other geldings (one I just sold in May) and NONE of them could have cared less about mares. In fact, we have a new horse in our barn who is also 9 years old, who was a breeding stallion until just last year, and he has no interest whatsoever in mares.

What can I do about this? HELP!

Thanks very much in advance

Linda

Posted on Monday, Aug 16, 1999 - 12:25 pm:

ok....I think your gelding might be what some call a "proud cut" which means he wasn't gelded properly, and they didn't get everything. Which means that he still may have hormones running thru his system but not any sperm. When my vet gelds, he shows me everything he got so I know he got it all. I have a stallion I have had shown and I have a proud cut gelding Welsh pony. He can be a pain sometimes and the kids don't want to ride him then. My stallion had to have some behavior modification before he went to a show. (I will tell you what we did even tho I may get slammed). He was boarded at a barn with a stallion row and mirrors in the arena (he would've killed that stud in the mirror too). We would walk him down the aisle with a big plastic bat in our hands and a stud chain on and beat him on the head when he talked and tell him "quiet!". The bat didn't hurt him but made alot of noise. And we would yank on his chain like in dog obedience training. Yank and loosen yank and loosen. Also at the show you can put vicks in his nose, he can't smell then. The stallion was just fine at the show, and as an extra precaution we held him away from the other horses. These things are a huge pain in the backside and most do not want to put up with them so they get rid of the horse. You could also find out about another surgery to get all the goods but that would be VERY expensive!! My shetland stud is now out in the pasture with my proud cut pony and they have come to an understanding and each have their own herds (the shetland won most of the mares - funny to see him with the 16.3h mare). I have another gelding that used to act like a proud cut somewhat but has requiessed. If your horse doesn't believe you are the boss, then round pen training would help a great deal. Get Monty Roberts tape and read John Lyons book on round pen training. You don't need Roberts book (although I thoroughly enjoyed it) and you don't need to spend alot of money on all the series of tapes and newsletters at the Lyons barn (although they are interesting too). Just the Roberts tapes (day 1 at least and day 2-4 would be good too) and Lyons book, that's all, but at least do that much. Good luck.

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 1999 - 7:09 am:

Hello Linda,
I suggest you test your gelding for a retained testicle. A single estrone sulfate assay in horses over 3 years of age or paired testosterone samples with HCG stimulation will verify if your horse has a reason to act like a stallion. This would be a fixable problem. About 5% of the properly gelded male horses do keep most of there stallion characteristics.
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Aug 17, 1999 - 12:26 pm:

To Ever and Dr Oglesby,

Thank you for your replies to my posting. You have both given me good direction on how to deal with my horse's problem.

Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2000 - 1:46 am:

Linda,
I don't know if this will help in your situation, but I have a three year old breeding stock paint who also displays stud behavior. We decided to put him in a pasture with three bossy mares who wouldn't put up with his behavior. Withing a couple of days, my all mighty stud became a all mighty dud. His disposition changed dramatically for the best. I actually enjoy working with him now.
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