How to Geld an Aged Stallion

Owners may decide to geld a stallion for behavioral, medical or other reasons. The veterinarian performs the same surgery regardless of the horse's age; however, an older stallion may require some additional supportive care. Using proper care, stallions over 20 years old recover without complications, according to Michigan State University veterinarians Judy Marteniuk and Carla Carleton. Taking steps to help your horse avoid complications during surgery and recovery reduces medical and mental stress.

Things You'll Need

  • Recovery area
  • Supplements (optional)
  • Vaccinations (optional)
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Evaluate the health needs for your stallion, as he will withstand the procedure better with optimum weight and physical condition. Avoid planning any procedure during an ongoing illness or a fever, unless approved by your veterinarian. Do not plan the procedure during times of stress, such as moving, shipping or horses coming or leaving the stable.

    • 2

      Prepare an area, preferably clean and dry to avoid infection, for your horse to stay during the seven to ten days following the procedure. Allow your stallion to become familiar with a new environment prior to the procedure, if possible, to decrease stress.

    • 3

      Decide if you want to collect semen prior to the procedure in order to retain an opportunity to produce foals later. Discuss collection, testing sperm quality in your older stallion, storage and fees with your veterinarian and semen bank. Make sure your breed registry permits foals produced by artificial insemination as some, such as thoroughbreds with The Jockey Club, register only live covers.

    • 4

      Talk to your veterinarian about your plan to geld your stallion. Discuss the requirements needed prior to the procedure, such as how long to withhold food before the castration and any needs to update vaccinations, suggest Marteniuk and Carleton. Prepare to wait several weeks for tetanus boosters if your stallion needs them. Ask for instructions for preparing a place to perform the procedure, such as a large stall or grassy paddock, unless the veterinarians use their own facility.

    After Care

    • 5

      Prevent you horse from eating for approximately an hour after the procedure, Marteniuk and Carleton suggest.

    • 6

      Consult your veterinarian regarding amounts of supplements based on your stallion's weight. Give your older equine vitamin C twice a day and vitamin E once a day for at least 10 days after the procedure to help support his immune system, Rutgers Cooperative Extension veterinarian Sarah Ralston advises.

    • 7

      Help your older stallion avoid complications by making sure to exercise him two times each day for at least 10 minutes to encourage adequate drainage from the incision area and reduce swelling, according to Marteniuk and Carleton.

    • 8

      Keep him away from mares that are in heat, as sperm may be viable up to three weeks, according to Marteniuk and Carleton.

    • 9

      Check the incision area daily and contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe signs of complications, such a depression, loss of appetite, abnormal swelling, bleeding, green or pus discharge or the horse develops a fever.