Last Updated on February 24, 2023
So it’s time to castrate your colt… but how much does it cost to geld a horse? “Gelding” can be used as a verb to describe the act of castration in male horses. Castration is a surgical procedure performed by vets. Although many livestock animals can be banded or castrated by their owners, the equine procedure involves sedation and anesthesia.
How the Procedure to Geld A Horse
An intact male horse is a colt (if under four years old), or a stallion if a mature horse. Castration is the process of taking a stallion to a gelding, hence the term “gelding” as a verb. Castration involved removing the testicles from a male horse. Veterinarians recommend waiting until horses have skeletal maturity and have already utilized the benefits of the increased testosterone to their maximum ability. However, some castration cases are timed abnormally due to cryptorchidism. This occurs from the retainment of one or both testicles. Although these stallions are typically infertile due to the higher temperature internally, they still produce testosterone and will have stallion behavior.
A horse in good health and up-to-date on medical care (specific tetanus) will be sedated. After receiving anesthetics, a laparoscope is used in an incision in the horse’s flank. This method is much less invasive than the traditional belly wound. This is because it allows the horse to remain standing. The higher price of a gelding vs a dog’s neuter comes partially from the size of the horse and the number of medications required.
Aftercare
Horses that are up to date will receive tetanus boosters post-surgery. Most vets will prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection and anti-inflammatories. Insect repellent is vital post-surgery to prevent flies from flocking to the wound. Unlike some other animals, horses benefit from movement and exercise the day after surgery. 15-20 minutes of daily exercise helps prevent excessive swelling and promotes drainage. New geldings need daily exercise for at least two weeks post-operation, or until healing is complete.
Read about Horse Vaccination Schedule- What Vaccines Do Horses Need?
Why Geld a Horse
There are many reasons someone may choose to castrate their horse. For most owners, breeding is not on the agenda and geldings are easier to maintain and train than stallions. As a whole, stallions have behavior traits that are difficult for the average person to handle. These higher testosterone levels can cause aggression and dangerous behavior. These behaviors are amplified if stallion handling is improper or studs are denied adequate stimulation/exertion. Studies have shown that 65% of studs left in-tact for a long period developed dangerous traits as learned behavior.
If you are not planning on breeding, life as a stallion can be full of frustration. Due to the nature of the horse under human control while in captivity, breeding ethically and responsibly is an important topic. Some horses have undesirable traits such as genetic predispositions for disease or poor conformation. These animals are not candidates for breeding. In fact, under the American Horse Council, the Unwanted Horse Coalition works to educate the public about the responsibilities of horse ownership and the importance of castration.
Cost of Gelding a Horse
The cost varies depending on your area and average veterinary prices. Typically, castration procedures will run between $100 and $300. Castration costs a little more than other standard livestock procedures because of the use of sedatives and anti-inflammatory medications post-surgery. Although surgical castration is an option for other animals, it is usually without the use of anesthetics or after-care pain medication. These procedures can take place at a ranch and do not involve veterinary care. However, rates of infection or faulty banding are much higher in these castration methods than in surgical removal accompanied by antibiotics.
With these increased costs, the procedure is still typically under $300 in total depending on your area. Most veterinarian offices can point clients to a vet expense credit card service, while some offer in-house financing. Many large breed or equine-specific veterinarians will also provide payment plans for accounts in good standing. This is because horse procedures can frequently cost thousands, or even tens of thousands depending on if a horse stays on site.
There are also many nonprofit programs in place to help owners finance castration to prevent backyard breeding or unwanted horses. For more information, you can look into Operation Gelding by the UHC, Gelding Reimbursement by Front Range Equine Rescue, or programs like Operation G.E.L.D. in Maryland. Your local agriculture extension agency or equine veterinarian may be able to point you toward similar programs local to you.
When is it Too Late to Geld a Horse?
Male horses are normally gelded, or castrated, at a young age. This is done before they become sexually active and makes them more docile and easier to handle.
However, not all male horses are gelded at a young age, for a variety of reasons. When they reach four years of age they are referred to as stallions and can be used for breeding.
Stallions are not always easy to look after, and a stallion owner may decide to have it gelded later in life. It is possible to geld an older stallion, but this procedure will normally be carried out under general anesthetic to minimize the risk of bleeding. Once gelded, the horse may retain some stallion-like behaviors, but will no longer be fertile.
Can You Geld a Horse Yourself?
It is not possible to geld a horse yourself, as this is a complex surgical procedure that comes with several risks. Only qualified and registered veterinarians are permitted to carry out surgery on animals, and anyone else who attempts to do so will be breaking the law.
How to Geld a Horse at Home?
Gelding a horse can often be carried out on your home premises or at your horse’s barn. This will normally only happen if your veterinarian intends on carrying out a standing castration. Horses that are gelded under general anesthetic will normally need to attend a veterinary clinic.
When preparing to have your horse gelded at home, make sure you have a clean, dry area for the veterinarian to work. Noises and distractions need to be kept to a minimum, and the veterinary team will need enough room to work safely around the horse. It is also a good idea to provide additional lighting if possible.
Is Gelding a Horse Painful?
When a horse is gelded, the veterinarian will use a range of different drugs to minimize pain to your horse. This will normally include a sedative and an intravenous painkiller, which will work together to enable your horse not to feel anything. It is also common to use a local anesthetic at the surgical site to numb the area.
After your horse is gelded your veterinarian may prescribe painkillers to be given orally, normally in your horse’s feed. A small amount of swelling at the surgical site is normal and should disappear quickly.
How to Tell if a Horse Was Gelded Late?
It is not always easy to tell if a horse was gelded late, but there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for. A male horse that was gelded at a later age may have a stronger, more muscular physique, with an arched neck and proud movement.
Male horses that are gelded late often also retain some stallion-like behaviors, and may become excitable in the presence of mares. They may also have a larger scrotal sac than horses gelded at a young age, although sometimes this is removed when the horse is castrated.
How Long Does it Take For a Horse to Recover From Being Gelded?
Although your horse may feel back to normal just a few days after being gelded, the surgical site will take longer than this to heal! The effects of any sedation or general anesthetic should wear off within 24 hours, and your horse may only show small signs of pain or discomfort following this.
When a horse is gelded, the time it takes for the surgical site to heal will depend on whether the wound was left open or was sutured closed. Open wounds may take several weeks to heal fully, whereas closed wounds can heal in half this time.
What is a Gelded Horse Called?
The gelding is the name given to the procedure used to neuter a male horse, also known as castration. During this surgical procedure, the testicles are removed, making the horse infertile. It also reduces stallion-like behavior that makes male horses notoriously difficult to handle.
When a male horse has been gelded, it is then known as a gelding. Most male horses you meet will be geldings, as they are much easier to manage and ride. Only the best male horses are kept as entire stallions to be used for breeding.
Final Thoughts
Gelding a horse maybe a few hundred dollars, but it will lead to a more relaxed gelding for owners to enjoy. Foaling season is here- and for breed registries, the New Year marks a birthday for many horses! Be sure to share this article.
What age do you geld a horse?
Naturally, many horses are gelded before they reach breeding age. The most common age for gelding is between six and twelve months. But why is it important to geld your horse at the right age? First, it is easier to geld a horse at an appropriate age. Horses gelded at younger ages are more likely to have a better attitude toward human handling. The castration is also less risky at young age and the recovery time is shorter.
Can you geld a 10 year old stallion?
A castration can be performed on horses as young as three months of age and is normally done on young horses before they reach 1 year of age. Gelding a 10 year old stallion is not a common practice and needs to be done with more care and attention. More specialized surgery is required in this case due to more bleeding. Also the recovery time for an older horse is longer than for a young one. You should always consult an experienced equine veterinarian for this kind of surgeries that carry a greater risk for your horse.
How do vets geld a horse?
The procedure is often done under sedation or general anesthesia. Most veterinarians will castrate using emasculators. During the procedure the scrotum is opened and the testicles are extracted. After that the spermatic cord is clamped and then cut for each testicle.
Lastly, the wound is closed with stitches. The horse is then monitored until it is fully recovered from the anesthesia. The horse may be given antibiotics, pain medications, and fluids as needed.
Why do you geld a horse?
In the first place, the process of gelding has been proven to be a safe, simple, and effective method of controlling unwanted behavior. For example, gelding reduces or eliminates mounting and cribbing behavior in horses. In addition, gelding is done to make the horse easier to handle and ride, to improve the horse’s ability to work, to improve its temperament, and to prevent injury to the horse and others. It is also done to remove lower-quality stallions from the gene pool. Only a small percentage of all male horses should remain stallions in order to produce the offspring with good genes and less health issues. Normally only the strongest and healthiest stallions are allowed to breed with mares.
How long is a stallion fertile after gelding?
Because the ampulla is not removed during castration, a gelding can potentially settle a mare for up to one month after castration. After one month, the sperm that was stored in the ampulla at the time of castration is no longer viable. For a gelding, the sperm from the ejaculate that was stored in the ampulla will be the only viable sperm available for insemination after the castration.
Do geldings grow taller than stallions?
If a stallion is not castrated, the growth plates in his legs will close. He will be less likely to grow taller after that. But if a stallion is castrated, the growth plates in his legs will remain open for longer time, specially if the stallion is castrated early in his life. Because of that a gelding will be able to grow taller than a stallion.
There is no difference between the health of a gelding and that of a stallion. The only difference is that a gelding won’t be able to breed.
Equestrian, Marine Corps vet, and Morgan horse enthusiast.