|
|
 Expert
Posts: 1611
   Location: bring on the heat, NV | For those that geld earlier do you geld while on the mare or did you wean and geld? I have one I would like to geld early... but am not sure about the logistics? Whats worked best? I usually geld at a year but I think this one needs a little less testosterone and I dont relish having a stud colt yearling or otherwise... He should have been a filly LOL! |
|
| |
|
 Midget Lover
          Location: Kentucky | I gelded my last colt at 4 months. He was still on his mama for a few more weeks till weaning. Doesn't bother me a bit to geld as soon as they drop. |
|
| |
|
  Champ
Posts: 19623
       Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | I geld before I wean in the fall. I have gelded them as early as 2 weeks old. Some at 3 months, some at 4-6 months. But always before weaning. That way I can wean them with the fillies and there's no danger of pregnant fillies. However, no matter when you geld, the boys are always a little more aggressive than fillies and will "play" harder and rougher. So I don't like to have to pair a gelding and filly unless that's all I have at the time. If I can split them by sex, having at least 2 of each I sure do that. |
|
| |
|
 Scooters Savior
       Location: "Si Fi" Ville | One of the benefits of gelding early is that the colt will have more long bone growth. |
|
| |
|
  Champ
Posts: 19623
       Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | That is true. ^^^ |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 13

| My vet said not before 6 months... |
|
| |
|
 Keep those crap slapping tails away!
Posts: 8871
         Location: Around here somewhere... | I usually held about a month after weaning, the timing usually works out best for me with everything else that goes on around here lol |
|
| |
|
  Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
     Location: Oklahoma | Murphy - 2014-07-29 1:35 PM I gelded my last colt at 4 months. He was still on his mama for a few more weeks till weaning. Doesn't bother me a bit to geld as soon as they drop.
This ^^^
There was a university study that demonstrated colts gelded before weaning were less stressed and had a significantly shorter recovery time. I plan to keep my twins on their dam even longer, ust so I can geld while the colt is still with his dam and after fly season. |
|
| |
|
 Mrs. Perks Alive
Posts: 1162
    Location: Madill Ok | I like to geld mine feb their yearling year. I get great growth rates. I dont know about the bone density rate. I dont think that really has any bearing on gelding them early. Big one or small bone, its more about the bone density. Maybe one of the vets on here can comment. Would be interested to see what they have seen. |
|
| |
|
  Ms. Manners
Posts: 1820
     Location: Oklahoma | Colts gelded before 12 months consistently gain 1 to 2 inches in height over their siblings. By 18 months and you still gain a height advantage, just not as significant. There have been several articles confirming others' observations of this and I see it consistently as a breeder and in the clinic.
Editted to add, it seems the consensus is that the testosterone surge at puberty (between 18 to 24 months) causes the growth plates (epiphyseal) to close and and growth in height is restricted. Without the testosterone surge, the plates stay open longer, continue to grow, and increased height is the result.
Edited by Morab76 2014-07-29 11:57 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Night Chat Leader
Posts: 13150
       Location: Home....Smiling M Farms | I need to get mine done as soon as it cools off. |
|
| |