Geldings!?

[Abby.]

Okay, so! Having a bit of a conflict with myself right now.

I have a coming two year old stallion who's been living in a barn with plenty of other horses. He seems to be fine around them all, not being aggressive or disruptive around the barn. He gets along well with the other geldings, although has yet to meet any of the older stallions in fear of conflict. When it comes spring time when all the mares start getting jumpy and are in season, he does know it and gets a little curious and more studly. Otherwise, you'd hardly know he hasn't already been gelded.

In the previous circumstances at our barn, he would have to be gelded in comfort for everyone around us, but now that we are moving to a barn that is totally fine with either decision (and I'm partial to keeping him a stallion), it's caused a bit of a decision. I find that he doesn't cause problems any way, and I enjoy showing him with no problems either. And plus, I'd love to see at least one of his babies on the ground in a year or so's time.

But here's the thing, I know that if he's not going to be kept as a main breeding stallion, he should be gelded. I have been told that, and I agree. But I have seen many stallions that are absolutely gorgeous and stunning show animals, once gelded, become lazy and lack spunk. I'm afraid of that happening, and I definitely don't want him to lose his show presence and appearance after he's gelded.

Opinions on whether to geld him, or keep him a stallion for a while would be greatly appreciated!

You can see why I wouldn't want to lose his spunk!

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

If you have the space and knowledge to keep him a stallion without causing harm to him or anyone else, go for it. We have a really nice guy that is laid back and easy to keep but are debating gelding him. Like you, I fear he'll just become a potato, he's so laid back!

He's super nice conformation wise but we aren't thrilled with his foals. However, we have space for him as a stallion so there is no big hurry to geld him.

You can always take'em off later....

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I had the three year old in my avatar gelded this spring as I wanted to drive him and he quite obviously was not going to be able to keep his mind on the job entire! It is a HUGE difference between a two year old and three, you know, you may find he is a bit of a handful this coming spring. I do not believe there is such a thing as too good to geld, I would geld anything, if I had my way! DC did not actually breed a mare until after he had been gelded. He is properly and correctly gelded, yet it has not changed him one bit, if anything he is just a little more "me" orientated now he is gelded and I can drive him past mares without him having a fit- when you are driving a green, young horse having them suddenly doing what your pretty boy is doing in those photos is NOT funny!

My advice, which will come as no surprise to you now, is geld him. It will not change him if you still make the same requirements of him, still feed and exercise him in the same way, and still respond to him in the same way.

If you gelded him and then threw him out in a field and left him there I have no doubt he would get fat and possibly lazy (although DC has not ans he is out all the time...)

 

[JMS Miniatures]

Rule of thumb if you question it do it, JMO. Like rabbitsfizz said he is fine now but as a 3 year old and possibly breeding mares his attitude may totally change on you. I've seen some nice stallions that were successful as halter horses continue to be successful halter horses as geldings and are very hard to beat.

 

[midnight star stables]

I tell every body to geld

My boy Nitro (12 year old gelding) is very sweet but spunky and alert, and a firecracker in the cart. That is just who he is. I will admit he has lost some of his "wow" factor from when I bought him as a stallion, but he is older and more seasoned now too.

I did feel the same way that you did when I owned Donovan. He was really quiet as a stallion, but studish around mares. Gelding him made my live MUCH easier, and I'm glad I did, but it did also make him even more quiet. He was not suited to be a show horse in the level I wanted, but made a great youth cart horse for 4 grandchildren. I think it really depends on the horse you are starting with.

I think it will take some spunk away, but you can still have a great horse.

So my answer was not an answer really. I would geld him, but I really would do that to 90% of the horses out there.

I'm going to geld my weanling and I really like some of the things he would add to some of my girls.

Handsome is a lovely boy, and I wish you the best with what ever you choose!

Abby, WELCOME to the forum too

 

[disneyhorse]

Gelding a stallion does NOT always make him lose his spunk, make him lazy (I actually think stallions are pretty lazy!!!)or make him a less-competitive show horse!

My friend shows Andalusians, and the only reason they keep most of their show horses stallions is because the testosterone makes them keep a thick neck and thicker hair... both of which are less desirable in the miniatures!!!

I have seen PLENTY of spunky geldings... I had a Reserve National Champion Liberty gelding that was gelded at four months old...

It's NEVER a bad decision to geld! Especially in the miniatures... there is NO lack of stallions or nice weanlings to buy out there...

The new horse I just bought is a gelding (he's the pony in my avatar)... he's not here yet but from the videos I've gotten he has no lack of talent or spunk... but supposedly he's a good guy to be around and very friendly! I'll never turn down a good gelding.

Geldings ARE in general happier horses because they have more opportunities to be social. Geldings only have to think about work and food. Stallions have to think about work, food, and sex so they have more on their mind.

Also, geldings are FAR FAR more "loving" and will bond with people MUCH easier. That's the ONLY thing that I don't prefer about stallions... they are much harder to get a good bond. Not that you can't, it's just that they've got a lot more on their minds.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

Andrea

 

[minisch]

So glad to see everyone is on the "Gelding Bandwagon" like me.

 

[shorthorsemom]

Geld Geld Geld... More than enough stallions, too much breeding IMO...Unless my stallion looked like Pooka (I think that is his name) Black and white, ga ga gorgeous, makes me drool..., or Piano man or one of those other guys that make me drool Catch... . all those beautiful boys... unless they looked like that ,... then I just would rather love my boys singing soprano!!

My one boy was gelded at 9 years old after being retired as a herd stallion... He is the same boy as when he was a stallion, very peppy, tons of "presence" and he has awesome attitude. Absolutely no difference between him in temperament as a stallion vs. Gelding. He loves to show off. He is in my avatar, love him to pieces.

My boy Ike has tons of speed and tude. He is chubby but has LOADs of "go". I have to watch him because he would run himself into the ground for me driving if I let him.

My third boy is a gelding too, same thing, the only difference between him as a stallion and as a gelding is that he stopped chomping everybody. As a yearling he had so much stallion "tude" and although sweet, he loved to snake that head and give me a quick nip on the leg on occasion. Gelding just made him sweeter. If you saw him last winter diving over snow hills and playing in drifts and bombing around the field, you would never call him a couch potato. Naahhh, I really don't think gelding creates couch potatoes. PS, your boy is very pretty I can see why you are torn on whether to geld or not. His action is nice in those photos, if he were mine, I would geld and drive. Not saying that is what you should do... just what I would do.

 

[Wings]

Rule of thumb if you question it do it, JMO. Like rabbitsfizz said he is fine now but as a 3 year old and possibly breeding mares his attitude may totally change on you. I've seen some nice stallions that were successful as halter horses continue to be successful halter horses as geldings and are very hard to beat.

Agreed with this. The difference a year made to my own boy between 4 and 5 was huge.

Also great colts make fantastic geldings

But I have seen many stallions that are absolutely gorgeous and stunning show animals, once gelded, become lazy and lack spunk. I'm afraid of that happening, and I definitely don't want him to lose his show presence and appearance after he's gelded.

You need to meet my gelding herd

Between them two were gelded at 2yrs, one at weaning, one at 5yrs!

One of them is a sook but that's just him, the other three are successful show horses with HUGE personalties.

But they are a softer presence then the stallions, but this isn't a bad thing and no judge worth it will look down on a gelding for not being a testosterone filled beast

 

[StacyRz]

I recently went through the same debate with myself as you are.

My stallion/colt is a little over a year old and he is really well behaved, for now anyway. He does tend to be "nibbly" and want to put his mouth on everything and I don't want that to turn into nipping. I'd also rather our time spent together be me loving on him rather than scolding him for constantly pulling my clothes lol.

I was in the frame of mind "ohhh he's my handsome stallion and EVERYone will want to breed to him!" LOL... Yes he IS lovely and has started his show career out VERY well for a yearling, but I want my kids to be able to show. And I don't have any mares yet, so I'm now thinking "what's the point?!" I am definitely gelding!

I think we will ALL be much happier if mine is gelded. When I do get a few mares and *if* I decide to breed, I know there are SO many awesome stallions in my area I could take my mares to.

Good luck with your decision!

Stacy

 

[CharlesFamily]

Okay, I knew there was a reason I fell in love with your colt when I saw his pictures - I was in love with his father!

:wub

We owned Handsome's sire, Jinx, until we sadly lost him 2 weeks ago. Sheryl had blessed us with letting us own Jinx. Handsome was one of his last foals that he sired before Sheryl had Jinx gelded. So you know where I fall on the side of this argument! As fantastic as a stallion Jinx was - and looking at Handsome, he made some gorgeous babies - he was even more wonderful as a gelding. He was my oldest daughter's first "horse love." Jinx taught Olivia a love for working with horses and a love for showing. He was always "on." I have never met a horse who was more of a "pleaser." I swear he could talk to you with his eyes. You could almost hear him asking, "Is this okay? Am I doing it right?" He was the most responsive horse I have ever trained or worked with. It took him less than 10 minutes to master the side pass for halter obstacle. Jinx and Olivia only got to go to 4 shows together - 1 last year and 3 this year - but they never failed to place in any class they entered.

I guess what I am trying to say is, Jinx never lost that spunk. He was still the easygoing, gentle guy he had been as a stallion, just with less fixation on the ladies. But he knew how to turn on the charm and he loved the show ring. I have no doubt that Handsome will follow in his "hoofsteps." But knowing Jinx as I did, if Handsome is anything like his father, no matter what you choose, you are making a good decision.

Barbara

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

I love my geldings and taking the testosterone out of the equation is wonderful. Are they lazy fat toads? Yes but so are the rest of my horses. The only horses that stay 'fit' on their own is my stallions during breeding season, now they're as fluffy as the geldings.

 

[Abby.]

Thank you all SO much!

For now, he'll be staying a stallion for the winter because he won't be around mares.

I will be gelding him after all, mostly for driving purposes, and it'll be a whole lot easier to handle him without worry!

Just a decision to do it around March or so next year before show season, after show season, or now?

I don't want it to be too cold for him, and the possibility of him being stuck with being sick after the procedure?

Not really sure, which is why I'm asking! Anyone know whether it's better to geld during the winter, or spring?

Also, before show season, or after, next September or so!

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I defintelly wouldn't wait til the end of the year. If you want to show him next year do it before show season, at least thats my recommendation. Another thing too is you don't want him confined in a stall so if he is being stalled for weather or show purposes I would avoid doing it then. I think if you have above freezing temps you shouldn't have a problem, but you don't want real muddy, wet conditions either to affect the healing process. I know people said you don't want to do it when the flies are out but keep the fly spray on hand and you shouldn't have a problem, I would however avoid doing it during the real hot summer months.

IMO the best time to do it is some time in early spring.

 

[dannigirl]

When you geld him, he will need plenty of space for movement. Mine are stalled at night and get out during the day. If you have another gelding that can go out to play with him after he is gelded, that will usually give him a reason to move about. I have gelded in really hot weather and really cold weather and had no problem. I like early spring or in the fall after our show season, but the main problem is the ability to get him the daily exercise he needs to keep him from getting swollen and stove up after gelding. We have gelded probably over 50 boys over the years and actually have 20 geldings on the farm right now. Nothing beats a good gelding.

 

[midnight star stables]

First I wanted to say, that this is a very hard decision to come to, no matter what you choose. I commend you in your decision and congratulate you on your new gelding.

Also, I was just talking to a Omega Alpha representative, and the were saying that they make a product call "Testos Boost". It helps give horses that extra boost of testosterone naturally, so that they still have that "extra" ump in performance. Might be something to research, as it sounded neat!

I'm having my boy gelded in the spring. The sooner he becomes "bratty", the sooner his appointment with the vet, but he will be done some time around February to May, mostly depending on the weather.

 

[Katiean]

I have a stallion that is just plain lazy. Well unless the wind id blowing then he is running around and kicking up his heels. But for work, he is lazy. I guess he has never acquired a taste for work. I would geld him. But I have never had a horse gelded and I am concerned about all of the horror stories everyone tells.

 

[Sandee]

My (x) stallion in the avatar was gelded in late Sept. of this year. The vet said perfect timing as fewer flies and enough time for the homones to go down before the spring. Not that he was ever hard to handle but I needed him to be gelded for the grandkids to show.

He is 8 years old. No horror stories here. Pretty much "by the book". Vet put him "out"(down) - slice/ stitch - all over. He had swelling one day and seemed uncomfortable. I gave him equioxx that one morning and that was all. I can turn him out in the pasture with everyone now. I still can't put him in a dry lot with anyone. He's territorial and that may be "learn" and he may never get over it.

 

[JMS Miniatures]

I have a stallion that is just plain lazy. Well unless the wind id blowing then he is running around and kicking up his heels. But for work, he is lazy. I guess he has never acquired a taste for work. I would geld him. But I have never had a horse gelded and I am concerned about all of the horror stories everyone tells.

I've gelded 9 horses, thats more then what I've bred for. I had 1 that turned bad, in his case he wasn't ready yet to geld only 5 months old but the ring wasn't fully closed so his intestines came out, we did almost loose him. That was the case where I never used this vet to geld my horses before and never asked how he gelded them and will never go to him again. The horse in my avatar is him and he has never had a problem and he is now a all-around performance horse at 3 years old. Now I've gelded one at 2 months and he was fine, he was already acting studly and being a terror already.

If your guy is fully dropped you shouldn't have a problem. The only thing you need to watch for is swelling since he is a mature stallion. Really exercise him, every day, for I say at least a week. Like my vet says feel sorry for them the day it happens, tomorrow don't feel sorry for them anymore. I've already gelded one since the last horrific episode and it came out alright. I belive in casteration, don't let horror stories stop you, its healthier for them IMO.