Behavioral reasons:
* Reduce aggression: Gelding removes testosterone, which is a hormone that fuels aggression in stallions. This makes geldings calmer, more manageable, and easier to train.
* Eliminate stallion behavior: Stallion behavior includes fighting, biting, kicking, and mounting other horses. Gelding eliminates these undesirable behaviors.
* Easier to handle: Geldings are typically calmer and more focused, making them easier to handle and train, especially for riding, driving, or working with other horses.
Medical reasons:
* Prevent unwanted breeding: Gelding is a form of birth control for horses, preventing unwanted pregnancies and the need for stallions to be separated from mares.
* Reduce risk of testicular tumors: Testicular cancer is more common in stallions. Gelding eliminates this risk.
Other reasons:
* Improve temperament: Geldings generally have a gentler disposition than stallions.
* Enhance performance: Some people believe gelding can improve athletic performance, although evidence is mixed.
* Reduce risk of injury: Stallions are more prone to fighting, which can result in injuries.
It's important to note that not all horses are gelded. Some are kept as stallions for breeding purposes, while others are valued for their stallion-like temperament and characteristics. The decision to geld a horse depends on its intended use and the owner's individual preferences.