"...Castration has been used to control masculine/aggressive behavior in the male horse for hundreds of years. In medieval times, kings rode stallions, and people of less stature often were described as riding geldings. Castration also is called gelding, cutting, or emasculating. The scientific name for castration is orchidectomy--orchid meaning testicle and -ectomy meaning to remove or resect. ..." Castration In The Horse
Why Castration?
- Helps to stop stallion like behavior such as screaming at other horses and fighting.
- Helps stop mounting of other horses.
- Helps minimize erections.
- Helps stop masturbation.
- Helps stop aggression toward humans.
- Castration works better at an earlier age and before a horse is used as a sire.
When To Castrate?
- Can be done at any age but if possible, less than one year.
- The younger castration is performed the taller your horse will be; closing of the growth plates in the legs is delayed with early castration.
- Between two and three years lets the horse so that the horse develops a more masculine appearance: thicker neck, heavier build.
- Before they become a management problem.
To learn more about when to castrate, normal castrations, complications, follow up care and The "Proud-Cut" Myth follow this link: Castration In The Horse
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