What Is a Gelding?

 together or turned out with mares. In many cases, hard work and poor nutrition accounts for the quietness of horses kept in groups but not gelded.

Gelding Procedure and Care

Gelding has been carried out for centuries, and written work by Aristotle mentions gelding as early as 350 B.C.E. Gelding is a relatively simple procedure carried out by a veterinarian. The horse is sedated, and local anesthesia is administered for a standing castration, or a general anesthesia is used if the horse is to be castrated lying down. The procedure involves removing the testicles, epididymis, and a portion of the spermatic cord through a small incision.

Caring for the horse after gelding usually includes allowing the horse light exercise, keeping the incision area clean, and administering antibiotics. Complications following gelding are very rare. If the surgery is done in a clinic, where the incision is sutured, there is even less chance of complication, although the procedure may be more costly. After gelding, the horse normally heals quickly, and any "stallion" hormones recede within a few weeks.

The cost of gelding varies greatly depending on location, but a rough average for the procedure, assuming there are no complications is about $250.00. The cost of antibiotics may be extra. You may need to hand walk the new gelding for a few minutes each day and keep an eye on the incision for signs of swelling. Keeping the flies away and keeping the area clean is also important.

Cryptorchidism in Horses

One problem that can occur is the possibility of an undescended testicle and horses with this condition are called Rigs or Ridglings, and it is known as cryptorchidism in horses. These horses may retain many stallion-like qualities and must be handled like a stallion. Because they only have one testicle does not mean that it will only be partially stallion-like. Although rigs may not be able to reproduce, the presence of male hormones often makes the horse unsuitable for a beginner.