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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
  
Location: Bama | I've read that gelding an older stallion is more invasive and expensive then say a yearling -3yo.
Has anyone here had an older (teens or up) stallion gelded and what was your experience?
I'm wondering how gelding an older stallion varies from a younger one, the expected recovery time, how long after he can be ridden, etc.
My guy is 20yo. I have a seperate pasture if needed, but he is sooo much happier with the other horses. I only wanted a few foals and will not rebreed any of my mares next season. If it helps with any of the studdy behavior, it'll be a plus but not a must (he's not that bad). |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | Other discussions I've read do not advise gelding an older one. Consulting a horse vet would also give you some professional insight.
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 Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
 
Location: Oklahoma | How old are we talking? I've discussed with a vet gelding my stallion who is 7 this year. We are still on the fence about it. No fault of his though, we are just on a smaller property that isn't set up to really keep a stallion. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | lhighquality - 2015-08-26 11:59 AM
Other discussions I've read do not advise gelding an older one. Consulting a horse vet would also give you some professional insight.
I've heard the same about not gelding an older stallion. There was the thing on FB a while back about the gelding of the 28 year old mustang stallion and he never woke up. We have a 21 year old rescued stallion and our vet advised against it due to his age. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | He is 20yo.
I did call both my local vets and one said it was just like cutting a younger one. Hearing that from them makes me wonder....... I know the concept is the same, but the procedure varies. The other vets receptionist said they don't do it often and recovery time may take a little longer.
I've read several older discussions from other forums about people gelding their older stallions with zero complications. BUT I do know there's a greater chance of bleeding since everything is more "developed". I read that the larger vessels could be sutured to stop that. I just wanted to learn as much as possible before deciding. If I do go through with it, I'd like to know more about the process, what to look for, and what to expect. My vet in the past has asked me why I even bring my animals to him because I do so much research on the possibilities etc. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | palominopaintlover - 2015-08-26 1:09 PM
He is 20yo.
I did call both my local vets and one said it was just like cutting a younger one. Hearing that from them makes me wonder....... I know the concept is the same, but the procedure varies. The other vets receptionist said they don't do it often and recovery time may take a little longer.
I've read several older discussions from other forums about people gelding their older stallions with zero complications. BUT I do know there's a greater chance of bleeding since everything is more "developed". I read that the larger vessels could be sutured to stop that. I just wanted to learn as much as possible before deciding. If I do go through with it, I'd like to know more about the process, what to look for, and what to expect. My vet in the past has asked me why I even bring my animals to him because I do so much research on the possibilities etc.
I am the same way.... I research and research so that I can try and make the best informed decision possible and know what questions to ask my vet. In this case, my own personal opinion is that it IS NOT just like gelding a younger one. There are other things to consider such as the aging process of other body organs and the effect that the anesthia has on a aged horse. Same concept that older people do not normally recover from the same surgery as easily as a young person would. Horses are no different. I am sure it is done and most recover just fine but it is most surely going to be a little more difficult for him and the potential for him not recovering is greater than a much younger horse. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I can't say we have ever done one that old. My friend gelded her english pleasure paint stallion at 14 and turned him into a barrel horse. He never blinked an eye at it and recovered very well. But 20...eh, that's really getting up there.
Honestly? See if you can't borrow a friend's broodmare to put out with him (one that is pregnant). We have a stallion we breed who has a mare with him from weaning time to foaling time every year. He loses about 300lbs in the 4 months she has the baby with her because he stresses himself out over not having her there. (He's not very nice to her all the time though, took a chunk out of her butt this past winter.) |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 521
Location: Lone Star State | I have gelded a middle aged stallion before and had no issues what so ever. Long story short, I ended up with an unknown stallion that estimated was around 10 years old and assumed was chryptorchid. Palpated and couldn't find the other one. When the vets went to do surgery, they found the other one shriveled up but wasn't chryptorchid after all... high flanker? Idk, but he recovered just fine. They say to keep them isolated for 3 months after surgery to allow for hormones to adjust. I released him in a pasture with a gelding two months after surgery and he's been great. He never acted like a stud (before gelding) nor did he fight, but that's the only reason I gave him a chance was for his kind disposition. 20 years old, that's quite a bit older though.... |
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Location: Midwest | My friends had 3 horses cut last fall. All 3 were older. 6, 9, and 15. My friends had to leave for a 2 week show so for 5 days I had to cold hose their manly parts 2x a day and give them penecillian every morning. Vet came out on the 5th day and at 2 weeks. Everything went smooth with no problems! |
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 The Color Specialist
Posts: 7530
Location: Washington. (The DRY side.) | The only experience I have had with gelding an older (teenaged) stallion, he was STLL an arse hole to other horses. Even YEARS after he was gelded. (You could not pasture him with or near geldings as he would try to kill them.) With a 20yo that I liked, I wouldn't risk it. |
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 Twin Sister to Queen Boobie
Posts: 13315
Location: East Tennessee but who knows?! | Two of mine were older - 6 and 12. We also gelded an 18 yr old at a farm I rode for. Other than the 12 yr old coming up 3 times in the middle of gelding we didn't have any complications as far as the procedures or recovery. All three get aggressive in a mixed herd but do fine out with the geldings. The 6 and 12 year old were turned out full time.with the geldings anyhow before they were gelded themselves.
Edited by Fairweather 2015-08-27 2:28 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: IL | We have had several young studs that we didn't geld until later on and I have some good friends that gelded an older stallion that a young girl barrel races now and she does great with him. The dispostion of the stud does make a great difference but make sure you get all of the epididymus removed when gelding, Get both testicals and the part of the spermatic cord, along with the covering of the testicles. Have a vet that really knows what they are doing. You don't want anything left with your new gelding ;) After being castrated you should have a pretty good horse to deal with. I think how the stud horse behaves will make a huge difference. How disciplined is your horse? Does he mind well when you have to get after him? |
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 Texas Tenderheart
Posts: 6715
Location: Red Raiderland | This is an interesting topic as we just had this conversation about our coming 20 year old stallion, yesterday.
We were thinking of gelding him so we can let some of our other horses, mainly broodies, out to graze the big pasture that is by his. We have several pastures that are really getting eaten down and it would be nice to just turn out the others to eat the areas that arent grazed. Obviously it wouldn't work right now but it has crossed our minds to chop 'em off.  |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| A friend had an older stallion that they gelded, procedure when OK but he still would try to breed the mares after he was gelded when turned out in the pasture. |
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Bulls Eye
Posts: 6443
Location: Oklahoma | We have a 7 year old gelding that was gelding in April 2014. When we bought him we were told he'd been turned out with mares with no problems. Well, we put our 2 year old filly out with him this spring and he mounted, penetrated, and then ran her through a fence. Needless to say... he is only out with our donkey now who is also a gelding. But... I have in the past kept our stallion and this gelding out together and they got along great and we never had any issues. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | I really wasn't considering gelding him for an attitude change. He's a pretty good boy, and I don't have any major issues with him. I was just thinking about how he's getting older and will need to retire in the next couple years. I'd PREFER to let him stay in a herd situation and not pastured alone and stressed out. BUT all I have besides him are mares, and I don't want anymore babies after next years foals. If the procedure could be safely done, I think it would be a good choice for us. |
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I would have a vet look at him. They gelded an older (around 15 yo) Warmblood stallion at my barn. He did become much easier to deal with and lost his studiness.
However, he also got an infection and had to be treated with antibiotics for weeks. He came out of it fine, but something to consider in an older horse. I would personally ask the vet for his opinion.
The wound was pretty nasty and took some time to heal due to the infection. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | Bodana - 2015-08-27 2:48 PM
We have had several young studs that we didn't geld until later on and I have some good friends that gelded an older stallion that a young girl barrel races now and she does great with him. The dispostion of the stud does make a great difference but make sure you get all of the epididymus removed when gelding, Get both testicals and the part of the spermatic cord, along with the covering of the testicles. Have a vet that really knows what they are doing. You don't want anything left with your new gelding ;) After being castrated you should have a pretty good horse to deal with. I think how the stud horse behaves will make a huge difference. How disciplined is your horse? Does he mind well when you have to get after him?
Thanks for the info on what needs to be removed! Removing the covering will help with infection? I'm going to think about it a little longer. Auburn is only 3.5hrs away. I may be able to haul him up there if I can get him in. I'm sure they're experienced with gelding older ones. |
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | I had mine gelded at 7 .. he was very studdy and it took about 8 months to be able to even turn him out with mares and he still mounted them for up to 2 yrs.. I turned him out with a gelding but he tried to kill him..this was close to a year after.. it was about 2 summers that i could finally put them all together.. he still had a macho attitude but go along fine with other 4 .. but no new horses could be turned in there.. it was his herd only.... yours being older Id definately have a top notch vet do it for infection and sedation issues can be a issue..
Edited by Bibliafarm 2015-08-28 11:36 AM
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Hungarian Midget Woman
Location: Midwest | I would also recommend taking him to a clinic or hospital to have it done. |
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Expert
Posts: 3147
| My husband castrated a 17 year old stud who had bred a number of mares early in his life, but hadn't been used in several years. He had no problems with the surgery or healing. |
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 Peat and Repeat
Posts: 2773
Location: IN MY OWN LITTLE WORLD AT LEAST THEY KNOW ME HERE | Jmho
I'd take him to a hosp.
I'd have it done on the farmers almanac signs --
lower in the leg but not n the ankle.
He won't bleed as bad.
I would also wait till the weather is cooler.
Less flies and heat to deal with.
Other than that I'd give the old man a mare of his own to be pastures with. |
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Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: IL | Presently I have a Stud horse I am using to breed my mares and am considering whether to geld him or not. I have NOT advertised him and kept him to just my mares only. He is 8 now. I think if I did geld him he would be a much better horse, he is not aggressive---Just studdy when the girls are around. I would like to train him to barrels but am torn on what to do because he has good ol foundation bloodlines that are hard to find. There are a lot of studs out there these days. I don't believe I will have any issues. A good vet that comes recommended in your area is what you need. I would travel a day even to ensure my boy was properly cut. Make sure when you do geld to allow your boys to walk and roam....they should be able to move around as much as possible. |
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Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: IL | Didn't mean for my post to show up all dark. Not always real good with the techy stuff |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | Yeah I think I'll go up to my usual vet office and talk to the Dr that owns the place. I receptionist had asked the newer dr at the facility, and I just feel she just doesn't understand how this procedure is different. She's the one that said it was the exact same as gelding a yearling. They have a 12000sq ft dedicated equine hospital where they do a lot of ortho work and reproductive surgeries. I'll just have to track down Hank. I'd like to talk to him personally and get his opinion on it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | Also I did call Auburn University. The vet said that there is a slight chance of something happening with his abdomen. (Maybe intestines coming through opening???). Can anyone explain what she may have been talking about? |
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Veteran
Posts: 183
Location: IL | SAY WUT??? .... Good Lord if they can't castrate without the intestines coming out Idk what they are doing!! LOL!! I would go to the amish if that were the case, at least they know where the testicles are located. hahaha!!  |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 871
Location: Bama | Lol yeah. I'm not sure if she meant he could get a hernia there or what. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | My dad gelded a 12 year old stallion 50 years ago and he went on to do real well in the AQHA jumping classes. Before that he was owned by a person that was scared to death of him and he lived in a stall. He sure had a much nicer life after he was gelded.
Any time yu do surgery there is a risk no matter what the age. |
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Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | my gelding had great foundation bloodlines to but I had no desire to use as a stud. he was very well built . He had a attitude but was respectful of me and listened well .I wanted him to be in with other horses and not be alone his life ..so I gelded him.. |
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Gelding an older stallion - questions