Regretting Gelding

[Mini Mouse]

I have 2 minis that I got when they were born. They are brothers two weeks apart in age (seperate dams) and have been together since birth of course and absolutely love each other. Well I was constantly told to geld them so they wouldn't get mean, and you couldn't have two stallions together, and they would have a much better life, blah, blah, blah, and since they were my first minis I was afraid not to, so I did.

They use to run and play hard all day long and would groom each other for the longest time. Now they barely run around the pasture once a day and are regular barn bums.

Since I've been reading about Sixstardanes' Sabre I have regretted gelding mine. I think since they had been together since birth and there are no mares around and I was never going to breed anyway that they would have been fine together.

Sabre seems like such a tame and wonderful litte thing, not to mention how beautiful he is, I just wish I had left mine stallions. Of all the beautiful horses on this forum, if I could chose one, it would be Sabre. I am totally in love with that horse .. lol.

I know I will never tell anyone else to geld .. only to NOT breed

Would someone please tell me what is meant by a stallion having a much better life as a gelding?

.

 

[Jill]

I've had colts that were raised together become far, far too agressive with each other to remain together and stallions at the same time. I have a stallion raised with two laid back geldings and he got too agressive as well. The way they behave as yearlings, 2yos, 3yos... may not be a reflection of how they will act to each other as mature stallions.

Why would you want them to stay stallions, if you have no mares and /or aren't breeding?

These are my geldings. I think that most of them are nice enough to have stayed my stallions, and I don't regret that any of them are geldings at all. Not the ones I gelded, nor the ones who came to me as geldings. My horses who were gelded here didn't loose any spark, any pride, didn't have different personalities, nothing negative changed. They just stopped the extreme agressive play (prequal to fighting) and stopped exercising their weenies each time they thought they saw a mare.

WFM's Geldings

I truly can think of NO reason to keep a horse a stallion other than that he'll be used to sire foals. Reasons not to keep them stallions when not planning to breed:

• They will likely become too agressive to live together year round
• They will be sexually frustrated
• Both of the above may lead to behavior problems directed at people
• You may not be allowed to participate in some recreational events open only to geldings and mares and if you are able to, you should expect to see behavior from your boys that you didn't see at home (when they get a wiff of a mare..............)
• They may develop testicular cancer (a risk w/o any reward as they're not going to reproduce)
• If you ever decide to add a new horse, gelding or mare, it could throw everything that had worked peacefully to the wind

 

[Mini Mouse]

I've had colts that were raised together become far, far too agressive with each other to remain together and stallions at the same time. I have a stallion raised with two laid back geldings and he got too agressive as well. The way they behave as yearlings, 2yos, 3yos... may not be a reflection of how they will act to each other as mature stallions.

Why would you want them to stay stallions, if you have no mares and /or aren't breeding?These are my geldings. I think that most of them are nice enough to have stayed my stallions, and I don't regret that any of them are geldings at all. Not the ones I gelded, nor the ones who came to me as geldings. My horses who were gelded here didn't loose any spark, any pride, didn't have different personalities, nothing negative changed. They just stopped the extreme agressive play (prequal to fighting) and stopped exercising their weenies each time they thought they saw a mare.

WFM's Geldings

I truly can think of NO reason to keep a horse a stallion other than that he'll be used to sire foals. Reasons not to keep them stallions when not planning to breed:

• They will likely become too agressive to live together year round
• They will be sexually frustrated
• Both of the above may lead to behavior problems directed at people
• You may not be allowed to participate in some recreational events open only to geldings and mares and if you are able to, you should expect to see behavior from your boys that you didn't see at home (when they get a wiff of a mare..............)
• They may develop testicular cancer (a risk w/o any reward as they're not going to reproduce)
• If you ever decide to add a new horse, gelding or mare, it could throw everything that had worked peacefully to the wind

I just liked the way they played and pranced around when they were stallions. They don't have that "look at me attitude" anymore, the way the would raise their tail and prance around. And I was just wondering if maybe they couldn't have stayed together as stallions and been ok. I still love them just as much but keep second guessing myself as to if I did the right thing. I just wish they would "perk up" a little .. lol.

 

[Jill]

Oh, try showing them something new. You should see how perky mine get like the first time they saw this huge ball (scary yet very attractive to them). I have gelded senior show stallions, and he's still plenty perky.

In my heart, sincerely, I think it's the most loving thing an owner can do to geld a horse if he won't be used for breeding (ditto for pet cats and dogs).

I'm truly as proud of my geldings as my stallions (who are so to sire foals). All horses are different but my show geldings really pick up on me and what I want and when I try and show off with them, they just feed off that and turn it on. Maybe just try doing some new activities or show offy things with your guys if you want, and see how they pick up on it.

Also, I don't know what shape yours are in but I know I have a gelding or two that tend to get fat off air. If your guys are overweight now that they are geldings, that could account for them being more conservative in the department of being perky

Honestly, I wish the stallion who lives here with me had removable you know what's. I'd just pop them in when he needed to use them, and keep them on the shelf at all other times

 

[Erica]

These are all geldings, all love to have fun, run, buck and prance, and sometimes cause more trouble than other

I dont' want newcomers to read this and think, oh I shouldn't geld as my horse will become lazy.

These all turned out to be really neat and great horses, but I don't regret gelding them, they are all National Champions their first year shown, but still great geldings and I love them.

I have two more coming yearlings that will be gelding and on my show string in a couple of months, can't wait.

Jesse

Gambler

Revenge

 

[ClickMini]

They may or may not have been able to stay together as mature stallions, if there are no mares around. Generally speaking, I think what you are seeing is just the difference between youth and maturity. All foals roughhouse and play, quite often and hard until they are about 2-3 years old. At that point they settle and the demeanor changes to a more mellow style. The same thing happens to most of us adults.

If you want to see a little spark, I'd start working on training some tricks and using some highly-desired motivators to reward them. My horses of all sizes all are interested in engaging me in some sort of activity as soon as they see me. My big horses are trained to "pose" as a default behavior, so as soon as I go out to the pasture, they all tuck in their chins, lift their necks, and rock their weight back like this:

It is quite funny to see a field of full grown horses posing and swaying trying to get me to "come play." They all do some sort of trick or tricks in addition to this pose: smiling, playing piano, retrieve, etc. And yes, they are playful still, even my 30 year old Morgan. But not when I am not around them.

Erica I also just saw your beautiful pics of your amazing geldings. The caliber of horse that both you and Jill have shown in this thread and others is astonishingly good and a testament to the quality of show geldings these days. Which I am all for! I come from a big horse background, and stallions are few and far between. But a good gelding is priceless! That gorgeous horse on the cover of the Journal this month is also a gelding. I think your horses are probably stalled overnight and let out and then you see the play/release of energy. I rarely see (not never, but rarely) this level of play and jump on a horse that is out on a large field 24 x 7 x 365. (are you gelding my little favorite, TKO????)

 

[maestoso]

I think the important thing to remember is that every horse is an individual case. There is no such thing as "generally the right thing to do." You should know your horse and do your best to keep them happy and safe. And that doesn't always require gelding. Sometimes it is best to geld, but don't let anyone tell you that you should geld JUST because you don't breed. If you have a stallion who just paces all day long, and is kicks or bites at humans all the time, and you aren't breeding, OK, then geld, but many times(not all) when a stallion acts like that it is because they had poor or careless handling as a youngster.

 

[Jill]

I think the important thing to remember is that every horse is an individual case. There is no such thing as "generally the right thing to do." You should know your horse and do your best to keep them happy and safe. And that doesn't always require gelding. Sometimes it is best to geld, but don't let anyone tell you that you should geld JUST because you don't breed. If you have a stallion who just paces all day long, and is kicks or bites at humans all the time, and you aren't breeding, OK, then geld, but many times(not all) when a stallion acts like that it is because they had poor or careless handling as a youngster.

Matt,

Keep in mind that some of the pacing, cribbing, weaving, wind sucking, etc. vices that a stallion may pick up out of frustration probably will not then go away when he's gelded.

I'm not going to tell anyone what to do with their horse, but I can say that ANY male horse I own and do not plan to use for breeding will be gelding. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people keep a horse a stallion due to their own issues with pride (and I even remember when I too thought it was "cool" to say I owned a stallion).

Jill

 

[Marty]

They use to run and play hard all day long and would groom each other for the longest time. Now they barely run around the pasture once a day and are regular barn bums.

And the problem with a barn bum is ????

I love my geldings and they are plenty full of beans and love to play.

You were not steered wrong. Gelding is a good thing.

Minimouse it does not take a stallion to run around and kick up their heels. All horses have the power to do that when they want to. Your horses will still prance and run around and buck when they get the notion. Gelding your guys had nothing to do with their lack of wanting to play. Horses do not need to be animated all the time but if you are concerend about their lack of energy, you might want to check other things such as their general health, if they could be wormy or need a change in feed etc. or possibly have an ulcer. But most likely, they just don't feel like playing all the time and would rather snoop and investigate around the barnyard, which is another form of them playing around and amusing themselves.

Hey, I got Timmy gelded this summer and guess what? He is turned out with 8 mares including the babies and is having the time of his life surrounded by all these girls. To him, that's heaven.

 

[Mini Mouse]

Matt, It is because I handled mine constantly as soon as they were born. I was at the farm that I bought from constantly playing with them and they were so tame that I wish I had waiting a little longer to see how things went instead of rushing into it because I was afraid not to.

Jill ... yes they are a little chubby and I'm trying desperately to work on that but it is hard when they are in pasture all day. (And I don't want to stall them)

ClickMini, thank you and I will start introducing them to more things. It's just so cold here now that it's hard to stay out very long to play.

I read something on here once about Red Cell perking them up ... Does anyone know the pros and cons to that product?

 

[Sue S]

I agree with Matt, don't let anyone till you to geld your horses, They are your and you spent the money on them, I heard that geldings and stallions don't get along, is this true, I have 2 little stallions, one is 1 1/2 years old and the other about 2 1/2 years old, they get along wonderful and have lots of fun together, I am going to geld my 2 1/2 years old this spring but I hate to, he is regiestered in WCMHR, could not register him in other 2 because each parent is in a different registry and I can't afford to hardship him now and I have 3 other stallions in AMHR/AMHA. He is my favorite and boy can he jump. He is my little clown. 31 inches tall.

 

[Sue_C.]

Could be they are simply bored...

Our geldings run and play all the time, racing, bouncing and tearing around like fools. Try adding something for them to play with, as has already been mentioned. We are always putting something "new" into the paddocks, small fir/spruce trees, old soccer/basket balls...sometimes something as simple as an old laundry detergent bottle with a rock in it.

I have gelded some very nice horses...and have never regreted it once.

 

[Mini Mouse]

They use to run and play hard all day long and would groom each other for the longest time. Now they barely run around the pasture once a day and are regular barn bums.

And the problem with a barn bum is ????

I love my geldings and they are plenty full of beans and love to play.

You were not steered wrong. Gelding is a good thing.

Minimouse it does not take a stallion to run around and kick up their heels. All horses have the power to do that when they want to. Your horses will still prance and run around and buck when they get the notion. Gelding your guys had nothing to do with their lack of wanting to play. Horses do not need to be animated all the time but if you are concerend about their lack of energy, you might want to check other things such as their general health, if they could be wormy or need a change in feed etc. or possibly have an ulcer. But most likely, they just don't feel like playing all the time and would rather snoop and investigate around the barnyard, which is another form of them playing around and amusing themselves.

Hey, I got Timmy gelded this summer and guess what? He is turned out with 8 mares including the babies and is having the time of his life surrounded by all these girls. To him, that's heaven.

Thank you Marty ... they are in good health other than being a little overweight. They are vet checked regularly, current on shots, wormed every 8 weeks. I think their feed program is ok, only I did change it a couple months back from Omelene 200 sweet feed to Nutrena Lite Balance. They eat it ok and seem to like it. I am trying to get some pounds off them and was hoping that would help.

 

[Windhaven]

In reality, your boys are probably much happier as geldings. They are not having all those raging hormones now that keep them on edge. I have a 2 yr. old gelding with a weanling colt and he plays constantly. But I do expect him to slow down the older he gets.

I am not sure what age your boys are, but it is also very common for horses to loose a lot of that playfulness as they mature and become adult horses. Older horses still play but not as much as the younger horses (weanling to 2 or 3).

 

[heart k ranch]

I have two big gelding that are my favorite. They run buck play like they are young.

The are getting older more mature. I wouldn't ask for my boys to be stallions anyday. They are sweethearts and always wanting to learn something or to play with. I had a huge rubber ball that went down to the tank. My boys decided to jump on it. I swear that is the cutest thing.

My stallions are sweet and nice, yes, but if I wasn't breeding them I would geld them!

They are best friends and they are always getting into trouble!!

I know their big horses but they are best friends and I'm glad they are gelding because they love to be together. I wouldn't chance putting them together if they are studs!

 

[Kendra]

Gelding a horse doesn't keep them from wanting to run and buck and play. We have a lots of geldings, and some are more energetic than others, just as it would vary with a number of mares or stallions. They all still love to go ripping across the pasture, bucking and playing, the only difference is they are without the stress of worrying about the girls!

 

[nootka]

Here are my two troublemakers:

They live with the herd (neither have ever been used for breeding), have been handled since birth, hauled to shows since they were 6 weeks old, and all of that is "old hat" for them, but their attitudes are such that their eyes are wide open, they are full of mischief and life, and often run and play.

Mine are stalled overnight (it is so wet here, right now, and we live on the edge of a lot of wilderness, it is for my peace of mind), but they play at various times of the day.

Mouse (the silver) is 5 this year (OMG, how did that happen?) gelded at 2, and Pyro, the red, was gelded at five months, he is a yearling this year:

All of the male foals born here are destined to be gelded, UNLESS there is a compelling reason to do otherwise. It is not lack of training or knowledge, it's convenience. There are WAY too many horses being bred for the market conditions, and though I believe mine are in the "nicer" category because they are fairly correct and sound, as well as nice to look at (we have been successful at shows, and going by input from knowledgeable people), I choose to limit their impact on the population.

Gelding them also makes them more versatile. I have enjoyed my geldings more than most of my other horses. Their grandfather was the exception, as he was so much fun, though I did NOT enjoy his hormonal outbursts, I loved him anyway, and we worked through it. They are just like him with fiery attitudes, but also intelligent ones.

Your little guys may just need a little inspiration to play, or they may have always been going to be quiet horses. Gelding probably did not change that alot. If they were going to start playing due to the hormones, it could well have gotten badly out of control. A stallion fight is NO fun to see.

You did what you thought was best, and I don't see the reason for you to regret that.

Liz

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

Honestly, I wish the stallion who lives here with me had removable you know what's. I'd just pop them in when he needed to use them, and keep them on the shelf at all other times

I'm with you there Jill! Minimouse I don't think you did the wrong thing. If a stallion is not breeding he can get pretty agitated... all those hormones with no where to go! and just because they got along when they were young, well, we've had unrelated boys together until 2 or so with no problem, but as they get older, they do start some serious fights and have to be kept alone now.

 

[shoeboxstables]

I completely second the idea of getting them a ball or teaching them a trick. We gelded our first baby this past spring, and he was definatly more laid back. He's always been a troublemaker, and gelding did take the edge off that- but only the edge. He LOVES running with 'his' mares, and since he's calmed down a bit he can be with alpacas too. I find that both my stallion and gelding LOVE to play with a ball, they both perk up as soon as they see it!

I have never regretted gelding Roger, and heck- I may even geld Vic. It is not a choice that I regret. He's a lot more fun for everybody to be around. He was getting the cr*p beat out of him as a stallion because he kept mounting his pasture-mates. Since he was gelded, everyone likes him a lot more. Now I trust him aournd our rescued dwarf, and they're best friends! It keeps her active and happy, and that never could have happened before

Roger- the gelding- loves to play rough on his ball

and the ball loves to play rough with him!!

And vic, the stallion, lets loose his energy on one too

 

[muffntuf]

Do they have jolly balls and jugs and such. I agree it is very cold and will get colder before warmer. But speaking from experienc - usually a horse when they turn a later 3 and then 4, you seem to see the steam run out of them. I think this is just maturity. BUT - I still go play and instigate play, leave things for them to play with, etc. As soon as one of them hears my car coming down the road, they are right there waiting for me, ready to play.