Kernow Equine Vets's logo
Kernow Equine Vets's home page
  • Call our surgery01208 76403
  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Newsletters
    • Offers
  • Services
    • AI Package 2023
    • Area Days
    • Castrations
    • Dentistry
    • End of Life Care
    • Equine Atypical Myopathy
    • Microchipping
    • Nerve Blocks
    • Passports
    • Vaccinations
    • Vettings
      • Request a Vetting
    • Worming your Horse
    • Repeat Prescriptions
  • Insurance
    • Equine Insurance Guide
    • Your Guide to Insurance Claims
  • Emergencies
  • Healthy Horse Club
  • Pay Online
  • Contact Us

Castrations

Advice and information about the procedure

Castration is a very common procedure, but should take careful consideration. There are many different factors to think about and more potential problems than many realise.

Most colts end up becoming geldings because it leaves them much easier to handle, particularly if they are kept with mares.  The comment '...you can tell a gelding and ask a mare, but you have to discuss things with a stallion' is very true!

Castration makes sense and will make life easier all round, unless you plan to breed from a horse. Obviously, our aim is that the surgery will be straightforward and it usually is, but there are many possible complications.  It makes sense for colt owners to discuss the options carefully with us first.

There are two options as far as the actual procedure is concerned. We can either perform the castration standing using sedation and local anaesthetic or with a full anaesthetic. The chosen method will be based on a risk analysis for the individual horse and considered alongside your vet's preferred approach and the facilities available.

What age can my colt be castrated?

Generally, we can castrate from 6-9 months old, although there are always exceptions. A colt should be well-handled prior to the procedure, whichever way it is done. As a vet, there is nothing worse than realising that a horse booked for castration has never even worn a headcollar. Apart from the danger for the handlers involved, think how frightening and stressful it must be for the colt, if his first close encounter with people is for a castration. We prefer not to castrate colts that are underweight in case there are any post-op complications.

What is needed for the standing operation?

Requirements are quite basic. We need a clean stable with clean bedding added 1-2 hours prior to the operation to allow any dust to settle. A clean bucket and some water, ideally warm, is all we need.

What is required to prepare for the full anaesthetic option?

The procedure can be performed in a clean flat field at home or brought to our clinic in Bodmin. The horse should be starved overnight but have access to water prior to the anaesthetic. A clean bucket and some water, ideally warm, is also required.

What do I need to do after the operation?

This depends upon whether the horse is stabled or turned out. If the horse is stabled it is essential to walk him out 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes to help prevent any swelling. If he is turned out and will not exercise sufficiently solo, enforced exercise may be required, either with in-hand walking or lunging. He may be prescribed a course of antibiotics and painkillers which will need to be administered in his feed or injected.

What are the potential complications?

Bleeding is a potential post-operative complication. A small amount of blood dripping from the wound is normal. The rule of thumb, is that if the wound is dripping faster than you can count, you should contact the vet.

Another common complication, as horses do not live in a clean environment, is post-operative infection. The sheath and scrotum can swell dramatically, and the colt may become lame behind due to the extent of the swelling. You may also notice that he becomes depressed and goes off his food if he develops a temperature. This will require veterinary attention: it may only require a course of antibiotics, but sometimes the incisions will need to be re-opened to allow drainage. This can usually be done under sedation.

A potentially more serious complication can arise, if anything is seen to be hanging down from the surgical incision. This may just be a small piece of the vaginal tunic – the fibrous sac within which the testicle sits, in which case it can either be left alone to dry or trimmed off, depending on how much is protruding. In more serious cases it may be a piece of intestine that can prolapse from the castration site. This is a serious emergency and you must seek veterinary assistance urgently.

Can a castrated colt still be fertile?

Yes, for up to two months after castration a mature colt can still serve mares.

Return to Services
My Family Vets
RCVS
IVCE Equine Vets Practice logo
VetGDP

Explore

About UsServicesInsuranceEmergenciesHealthy Horse ClubPay OnlineContact Us

Respecting your privacy

Cookie PolicyPrivacy NoticeTerms of UseComplaints PolicyTerms of Sale for Veterinary Services

Get the latest Kernow Equine Vets news


Copyright © 2023 Independent Vetcare Ltd

Company's registered name: Independent Vetcare Ltd

Registered number: 07746795

Registered Address: The Chocolate Factory, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 2AU

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit-related regulated activities under reference number: FRN738010

Menu

  • About Us
    • Meet the Team
    • Newsletters
    • Offers
  • Services
    • AI Package 2023
    • Area Days
    • Castrations
    • Dentistry
    • End of Life Care
    • Equine Atypical Myopathy
    • Microchipping
    • Nerve Blocks
    • Passports
    • Vaccinations
    • Vettings
      • Request a Vetting
    • Worming your Horse
    • Repeat Prescriptions
  • Insurance
    • Equine Insurance Guide
    • Your Guide to Insurance Claims
  • Emergencies
  • Healthy Horse Club
  • Pay Online
  • Contact Us

Call Us

  • Call our surgery number
  • See all contact details

Our Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to offer you a personalised experience, personalised advertising, and analyse our web traffic. Click 'Accept our cookies' if you would like to allow all cookies. Alternatively, you can choose which types of cookies you would like to accept or disable by clicking 'Turn cookies on or off' below. For more information, please see our cookie policy.

About Cookies

Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. This helps us to provide you with a good experience when you browser our website and also allows us to improve our website. See our cookie policy.

Cookie settings

We use 3 different types of cookies on our website. You can say which ones you're happy for us to use below.

Functional cookies

These cookies do things like keep the website secure. They always need to be on.

Analytics cookies

These cookies store information about how you use our website, such as what you click on.

Marketing cookies

These cookies do things like tell us if you've seen our adverts on social media, such as Facebook or Twitter.