Gelding Colts

[Bonny]

I asked a while back when to geld a colt. I got a great responce and appreciate yalls answers. I want to Geld my colt and I have never had a colt before. So I wanted yalls opinions on this. Has he dropped? He is 4 months old now, I would like to wait till six months at least, but I have noticed a few things about him, and I most def do not want him to accidentally cover Bonny( not sure when and if he can or will be ready and or able) So with her having foaled now and with her cervix having suffered trauma during the birth.

But I have noticed Brock is starting to bounce his penis not sure what that all means but my neighbor said he is getting control over it?

So here is a pic and if yall can tell me if he is able to be gelded yet.

Thanks again!

 

[shelly]

Hey Holly,

He doesn't look to have dropped fully yet to me...I would wait at least another month. Do be careful with him and Bonny though as they can impregnate at a very early age!!!!!!

 

[Bonny]

Thanks Shelly, how early? Not at 4 months right?

I will be keeping an eye on it, and Should I be thinking of keeping Brock separate from Bonny now?

Meant to add he is already as tall as Bonny if not taller.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Chances are he's dropped. Colt's testicles descend early, and if they don't they are crypts. The trouble isn't that they aren't down, most of the time, its that you can't find them! A picture doesn't tell much of a story here, what you have to do is just dive in and try to feel them with your fingers.

You can geld as early as you want. Most people I know geld them between 1-3 months.

 

[Mona]

That colt definately looks ready to geld! There is no need to wait, and often they do better while still on their dam, as it seems all less stressful to them instead of at the stressful time of weaning. A colt does not "drop" to look the same way as a stallion who's teticles "hang" in the scrotum. I have had colts gelded as early as 5 weeks! If they can be palpated, they can be removed easily enough with a simple gelding procedure.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

They are both there, he can be gelded!!

In point of fact, they are there within hours of birth, they have to be, it's just that most horse owners seem to think they have to be able to see them for them to be present!!

Sometimes you do have to get up close and personal, and it is the first thing I check on a new born colt.

I would honestly advise you to have him gelded now, whilst he is still on the mare.

Once you have weaned, which you will have done by six months, it is a much bigger deal all round.

On the mare, the colt comes round, gets up, goes and suckles and really, that's it.

He can't stand around feeling sorry for himself as mama has just walked off to graze and he has to follow the milk bar....also if he is feeling a bit under the weather he can just suckle more for a couple of days, whereas if he is weaned you have the worry of getting him to feed.

I always have my colts gelded, as early as eight weeks sometimes (I do them when the eldest is three months and have on one occasion done them as young as six weeks and know of people who have done even younger colts, when there has been good reason) and the benefits are obvious once they turn a year old and the hormones do not rise!!!

 

[Keri]

Just got to feel and be sure they are there. I had my gelded earlier this year. One you could definately find, but the other you had to do a little feeling around to get to it. But he was desended.

 

[Horse Feathers]

Can you band a colt? I have raised calves and goats and we banded them around 1-4 months old.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Absolutely not. Horses are not built the same way as other farm species.

 

[midnight star stables]

Ditto Nathan

Also, I heard that there was a person with a colt on here that had a colt the was dropped at 3 MONTHS and I do believe that he DID breed his dam.

I hope the filly fairy stays around at my house when foals start coming... I don't want any colts!

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

If you are in doubt, ask your vet. They are your best resource. If he is going to be around any mares, best to have him gelded as early as you can, just to be safe.