Castrated horse: definition, name, causes, features of care and maintenance of gelding

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

People are already used to castration of cats, but not everyone wants to apply this procedure to other animals. Men especially object to such an operation, who for some reason are more (than women) inclined to humanize animals. But sometimes this procedure is necessary. There can be many reasons: medical indications, correction of undesirable behavior, contraceptive method in the herd.

Not everyone knows the meaning of the word "gelding". This is due to the fact that such medical procedures are not popular with all owners. A gelding is a castrated stallion. A horse that has undergone the procedure becomes calmer and more efficient.

The difference between a gelding and a stallion

Castration forever changes the character and working qualities of a horse. But both the gelding and the stallion are masculine. They are distinguished only by the fact that the first will never be able to have offspring in the future. The stallion, with the necessary inclinations, can become an excellent producer. Outwardly, a gelding and an uncastrated horse are notdiffer in nothing, except for the absence of testicles in one of them.

To get offspring, owners most often choose a stallion that has the most attractive exterior. Usually this horse is titled and has excellent parents. Geldings are those individuals who, for whatever reason, do not have breeding value. They may have flaws not only in appearance, but also in he alth or behavior.

What is the name of a castrated horse? gelding. Such horses are usually used for work in agriculture. They excel in sports. For example, in show jumping, their success is much higher than that of stallions.

Why are horses castrated?

Stallion testicle removal is done for a variety of reasons. The common name for a castrated horse is a gelding. The most common reasons why a stallion is sent for surgery:

• fattening for meat;
• sports perspective;
• work as a riding horse.

Horse meat is very tasty, its marble variety is especially appreciated. A castrated stallion is more calm, he is not attracted to mares, so he gains weight better. Gelding meat does not have a specific smell that not all people like. All stallions that will be kept in the yard for more than a year are subjected to the castration procedure. It is from the gelding that the farmer is more likely to be able to get expensive marble horse meat.

If they plan to castrate a stallion for further sports, then everything is not soclearly. Sometimes after the operation, training ceases to interest the horse, but this is quite rare. If sports require endurance and obedience, then a castrated horse will have an advantage. For novice riders it is advisable to use only geldings.

If the stallion has no breeding value, then it is better to castrate him. Merin will work harder on the farm. He listens better and almost never shows aggression. Geldings are also convenient for grazing: they usually stray into a group and walk together. Neutered horses are not prone to escaping.

When should a stallion be gelded?

Some owners castrate a foal in its first months of life. What does gelding mean? This is a stallion that has gone through a castration procedure. Veterinarians do not recommend performing the operation too early, it is better to wait until the horse gets stronger.

Usually castration is done around the time the stallion is one year old. By this time, it will already be clear whether the horse is promising for breeding work. The owner will be able to assess the nature of the animal, understand whether it can be used for work or this specimen is suitable only for meat.

But castration up to a year will benefit overly excitable and violent stallions. There is no point in delaying the operation if the horse cripples his fellows and breaks the stall. After castration, the gelding will become more docile and affectionate.

Contraindications to the procedure

Castration is carried out only on he althy stallions. If the horse does not feel well or has risentemperature, the operation should be postponed. The animal is first treated, and only then castrated. It is also undesirable to perform the operation on animals with insufficient body weight, they may not endure it.

Do not castrate older horses as they may not survive the intervention. Do not perform surgery on stallions in which blood clotting is impaired. In such horses, surgery often leads to negative consequences. Sometimes the horse just bleeds. There is also no intervention for horses with sexually transmitted diseases.

Stallions with serious deviations in the functioning of internal organs are not allowed for the operation. For example, heart rhythm disturbances or kidney failure. Horses that have recently been vaccinated are not castrated, in which case you need to wait for time.

At what age is it better to have the procedure?

There is no consensus among veterinarians on this matter. Some doctors castrate only young foals, while others take on horses that are already 9-10 years old. They try to undergo surgery at the age of 1.5-2 years for horses of early maturing breeds. This makes them easier to bear. Late-ripening horses are castrated at the age of about 3-4 years, that is, when they are fully formed.

On some livestock complexes, the procedure is carried out as planned. For example, if the owner agreed with a veterinary specialist on castration for May, then this month it will be carried out. In this case, the age of the horses is rarely taken into account. The result is that someonecastrated at 9 months, and someone at 2 years old.

Owners should keep in mind that with age, negative traits in the horse's character can be fixed. It is not uncommon for a biting stallion to do the same after castration. Therefore, surgery before the age of 5 years is preferred.

Preparing for the procedure

Before the operation, the stallion was shown hunger. It cannot be fed at least 12 hours before castration, but you need to water the horse in plenty. Before the procedure, walk the horse well, wait for the bladder and intestines to empty.

It is better to guess so that the operation falls at a time when there are no insects. They will annoy the castrated horse and may contribute to the infection of the wound. The bedding of the animal must be perfectly dry and clean. Keep dirt out of the wound.

Before castration, the doctor should examine the stallion, with any signs of ill he alth, it is recommended to postpone the procedure. It is also advisable to conduct a rectal examination to assess the size of the inguinal rings. Before the operation, the stallion's tail can be bandaged. This is to keep the hair out of the wound.

Methods of castration

The operation is carried out by two methods: open or bloodless. The method is determined by the veterinarian. It depends on the age of the animal, its state of he alth, anatomical features. The size of the inguinal rings is very important, which is determined by rectal examination of the horse. The open method is considered simpler, so if the horse has no contraindications, then the veterinarythe doctor stops at him.

During the operation, which is performed by this method, the stallion is fixed in a standing position. All membranes of the testicles are dissected by a longitudinal incision parallel to the scrotum. They must be the same size, otherwise pockets may form. The testicles are removed and the spermatic cords are twisted. After the bleeding has stopped, the wound can be treated with an antiseptic.

If the operation is performed in a closed way, then the stallion is laid on its side. Painkillers should be used stronger than in the first case. With the closed method, the vaginal membrane of the testes is not cut. The testicles are taken out, Amosov's or Zand's forceps are applied to them. The testicles are twisted 180 degrees. Then the veterinarian applies the forceps again. The spermatic cords are tied up. The stump should be kept as short as possible.

Possible Complications

Castration is a streaming operation, so most doctors have extensive experience in its implementation. Sometimes the veterinarian even has to perform several of these procedures a day. However, no one is immune from complications. When castrated, they are not so common, but they still happen.

After the operation, the horse has a large wound. If either dirt gets into it, or insects lay their eggs, an inflammatory process may develop. Some horses have individual intolerance to anesthesia drugs. In rare cases, a stallion may develop anaphylactic shock duringoperations.

After castration, it may be difficult to stop bleeding. If the inguinal rings are too large, then sometimes the intestines fall out through them. Fistulas may also occur after surgery due to suture allergy.

Caring for the gelding after the procedure

In the early days, it is undesirable to give concentrates to a castrated horse. It is also recommended to release him from work. The doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics for the horse. This is done so that the castrated horse does not start complications. The wound should be inspected daily for the appearance of outflows from it. The stall of a newly operated gelding must be kept perfectly clean.