Gelding at 6 mo's

[rabbitsfizz]

Leaving the growth plates open for about six months longer than an entire does not, in fact, cause any problems at all and, no, since you mention it, you will not change my mind since my opinion is backed not only by that of some of the finest Vets in the world (My "practise" is the Royal Veterinary College, my Vets are teachers as well as practitioners) but also by fifty years of personal experience.

 

[minimomNC]

Just because people have issues with hormone levels doesn't mean a dog or a horse will, there are to many differences in the make up of each. You have yet to tell me what issues a horse will have, you just keep saying it has to have issues because people do. Well horses don't eat the same as people, they don't sleep the same as people, they don't mature the same as people so how can they have the same issues as people. I too will not be changing my mind, I have a great vet who thinks gelding early is just fine, I have had several gelded before they reached a year old with no issues at all. I have had several dogs spayed and neutered and they lived to be happy, healthy pets up into their teens. I much prefer they live longer while not producing more unwanted dogs for society to have to deal with. Same thing with horses, if more people would geld earlier, you wouldn't have those accidental breedings with yearling colts. So, until someone can give me concret issues that gelding a colt under 6 months is harmful, guess I will keep doing it when necessary. Its worked for me so far.

 

[disneyhorse]

Animals just don't live as long as people.

What harm does a delay in growth plates have?

I've never heard of them breaking down physically in any way... Never heard a vet say "oh if only he hadn't been gelded early, he wouldn't have developed this issue..."

 

[FurstPlaceMiniatures]

I've never seen issues from a horse growing too slow, however, I have seen wayyy too many issues form a horse growing too fast. I can find an article on the internet to back up any point of view. However, I rely on my vets (Cornell University....), my formal education, and experiences to make a decision as to whats best for my horses.

Says the Pre-Vet major who works full time in the animal health industry.