When to Geld?

[maisiemay]

Our foal was born with his dangly bits so theoretically could be gelded however I wanted people's opinions on what age is the best to geld.... New to this so all opinions greatly appreciated! Thanks

[sarahp]

I've done them as foals on the mare if they're being a real pain, up to an 8yo stallion, all fine, but done autumn or spring when no flies. But if no other circumstances prevail, they will must usually get done in the spring of their 2yo year. I usually have a field's worth of colts and gelding running together, so it's no problem for me to have entire youngstock about. I did get a bit fed up 18 months ago and cut anything that still had them all at once, except those destined for covering of course.

[gillwales]

it is a really good idea to do them on the mare, they recover quickly, leave for a couple of weeks then before weaning, makes them much easier to manage and job done. You have no problems then turning out with other youngstock. I did one and he was very successfully shown at foal shows gaining lots of championships

[sarahp]

I agree, but some vets aren't so keen as they say they are more likely to herniate if done as foals. I have no figures on that one so don't shoot the messenger!

[chloev]

I usually do them in the spring of being a yearling, unless it's a horse I want entire until I see how well it develops.

As said above, only recommend doing in spring or autumn when less flies about.

[maisiemay]

Thanks for all you opinions, very interesting and helpful :-)

[19simeon56]

If going to geld,better sooner than later.Some colt foals are little angels and others are little *****,the latter are better off done before their bad habits become ingrained,the last two I had done were 5 months old and still on their mothers (one belonged to friends whose vet wouldn't geld foals-my vet will),job done and as soon as they recovered they were back out in the field with their mothers.

[whispers2012]

Did my boy as a 4yo when I bought him......too late really for him but depends on your animal, vet recommended doing it when the flies died off as reduces chance of infection & flies hanging around the wound.

[gillwales]

funnily enough we had an Australian vet at our practice ( a real hunk! ) he said out there they geld all year round and do not have any problems with flies even though there are far more out there than here, he could not work out why we worry, not saying he was right or wrong merely reporting what happens out there.

[zetasmum]

We have always tended to wean in early winter, keeping the foals together and then geld in the spring when they are rising one. This allows the yearlings to be kept together in the Spring and returned to the larger group in the summer without having to worry about any coltishness.

Flies have often been quoted as a reason for gelding in early Spring but it is also for convenience sake.