People are already used to castration of cats, but not everyone wants to apply this procedure to other animals. Especially against such an operation, men who for some reason (more than women) tend to humanize animals are opposed. But sometimes this procedure is necessary. There can be many reasons: medical indications, correction of unwanted behavior, method of contraception in the herd.
Not everyone knows the meaning of the word "gelding." This is due to the fact that such medical procedures are not popular with all owners. A gelding is a castrated stallion. The horse that has passed the procedure becomes more calm and efficient.
Difference between gelding and stallion
Castration will forever change the character and working qualities of a horse. But the gelding and the stallion are masculine. They are distinguished only by the fact that the first can never have offspring in the future. A stallion, given the necessary makings, can become an excellent producer. Outwardly, a gelding and a non-castrated horse are no different except for the lack of testicles in one of them.
To obtain offspring, the owners most often choose a stallion that has the most attractive exterior. Usually this horse is titled and has wonderful parents. Individuals who, for whatever reason, have no tribal value become merins. Their disadvantages can be not only in appearance, but also in health or behavior.
What is the name of a castrated horse? Merin. Such horses are usually used for work in agriculture. They perfectly show themselves in sports. For example, in show jumping, their success is much higher than that of stallions.
Why castrate horses?
The procedure for removing the testicles of the stallions is subjected to various reasons. The common name for a castrated horse is gelding. The most common reasons a stallion is sent for surgery:
- fattening for meat;
- sports perspective;
- work as a riding horse.
Horse meat is very tasty, its marble variety is especially appreciated. A castrated stallion is more calm, it is not drawn to mares, so it is gaining weight better. Merin’s meat doesn’t have a specific smell, which not all people like. The procedure of castration are all stallions, which will be kept on the compound for more than a year. It is from the gelding that the farmer is more likely to be able to get expensive marble horse meat.
If you plan to castrate a stallion for further sports, then not everything is so simple. Sometimes, after an operation, training is no longer of interest to the horse, but this is quite rare. If playing sports requires stamina and obedience, then a castrated horse will have an advantage. For work with novice riders, it is advisable to use only geldings.
If the stallion has no breeding value, then it is better to be castrated. Merin will work harder on the farm. He listens better and almost never shows aggression. Geldings are also convenient for grazing: they usually stray into a group and walk together. Castrated horses are not prone to escaping.
When is it necessary to make a stallion a gelding?
Some owners castrate a foal in the first months of his life. What does gelding mean? This is a stallion that went through a castration procedure. Veterinarians do not recommend surgery too early; it’s better to wait until the horse gets stronger.
Castration is usually performed around the time the stallion turns one year old. By this time it will already be clear whether the horse is promising for breeding. The owner will be able to assess the nature of the animal, will understand whether it can be used for work, or this copy is suitable only for meat.
But castration up to a year will benefit excessively excitable and violent stallions. It makes no sense to delay the operation if the horse cripples his brothers and carries the stall. After castration, the gelding will become more docile and affectionate.
Contraindications to the procedure
Castration is carried out only by healthy stallions. If the horse does not feel well or his temperature rises, then the operation must be postponed. The animal is first treated, and only then castrated. It is also undesirable to carry out the operation to animals with insufficient body weight, they may not tolerate it.
Older horses are not castrated, as they may not survive the intervention. Do not perform surgery on stallions whose blood coagulation is impaired. In such horses, surgery often leads to negative consequences. Sometimes a horse just bleeds. Also, horses who have sexually transmitted diseases do not intervene.
Stallions with serious deviations in the functioning of internal organs are not allowed to operate. For example, abnormal heart rhythms or kidney failure. The horses that were vaccinated the other day are not neutered, in this case you need to wait time.
At what age is the best procedure?
There is no consensus among veterinarians about this. Some doctors castrate only young stallions, while others take on horses that are already 9-10 years old. Horses of precocious breeds are trying to undergo surgery at the age of 1.5-2 years. So they tolerate it easier. Late-ripe horses are castrated at the age of about 3-4 years, that is, when they finally form.
In some livestock complexes, the procedure is carried out as planned. For example, the owner agreed with the veterinarian about castration in May, then this month it will be performed. In this case, the age of the horses is rarely taken into account. As a result, it turns out that someone is neutered at 9 months, and someone at 2 years old.
Owners should keep in mind that with age, negative traits in the character of a horse can gain a foothold. Often a biting stallion will do the same after castration. Therefore, it is preferable to conduct surgery under the age of 5 years.
Preparation for the procedure
Before the operation, the stallion is shown hunger. It can not be fed at least 12 hours before castration, but you need to drink the horse plenty. Walk the horse well before the procedure, wait until the bladder and intestines are empty.
It is better to guess so that the operation occurs at a time when there are no insects. They will annoy the castrated horse and may contribute to wound infection. The litter of the animal must be perfectly dry and clean. Do not allow dirt to enter the wound.
Before castration, the doctor should examine the stallion, for any signs of ill health it is recommended to postpone the procedure. It is also advisable to conduct a rectal examination to assess the size of the inguinal rings. Before the operation, the stallion can be bandaged tail. This is done so that the hair does not get into the wound.
Castration Methods
The operation is performed by two methods: open or bloodless. The method is determined by the veterinarian. It depends on the age of the animal, its state of health, and anatomical features. The size of the inguinal rings, which is determined by rectal examination of the horse, is very important. An open method is considered simpler, therefore, if the horse has no contraindications, then the veterinarian stops at it.
When the operation is performed according to this method, the stallion is fixed in a standing position. All testis membranes are dissected longitudinally parallel to the scrotum. They must be the same size, because otherwise the formation of pockets. The testicles are removed, and the spermatic cord is twisted. After stopping the bleeding, the wound can be treated with an antiseptic.
If the operation is carried out in a closed manner, then the stallion is laid on its side. Painkillers should be used stronger than in the first case. With the closed method, the vaginal membrane of the testes is not cut. The testicles reach out, they are placed on the tongs of Amosov or Zanda. The testicles twist 180 degrees. Then the veterinarian puts the forceps again. The spermatic cord is ligated. The stump should be kept as short as possible.
Possible complications
Castration is a streaming operation, so most doctors have extensive experience with it. Sometimes a veterinarian even has to carry out several such procedures per day. However, no one is safe from complications. With castration, they are not so common, but they do happen.
After the operation, the horse remains a large wound. If either dirt gets into it, or insects lay their eggs, an inflammatory process may develop. Some horses have an individual intolerance to drugs for anesthesia. In rare cases, a stallion may develop anaphylactic shock during surgery.
After castration, it may be difficult to stop the bleeding. If the inguinal rings are too large, then the intestines sometimes fall out through them. Also, after surgery, fistulas may appear, caused by an allergy to suture material.
Care after the procedure
In the early days of castrated horse it is undesirable to give concentrates. It is also recommended to free him from work. The doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics for the horse. This is done so that the castrated horse does not begin complications. The wound should be inspected daily for the appearance of outflows from it. The stalls of the recently operated gelding should be kept in perfect cleanliness.