Author: Courtnee Morton, DVM, CVA, CVC

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What To Do After Castrating a Horse It is important to follow your veterinarian’s post-operative instructions after castration. This typically involves light hand walking or exercising for a few days, with a gradual increase. Movement is important to allow drainage at the surgical site. Leaving a horse standing in a stall for days after castration often leads to severe swelling of the area, which becomes painful, and potentially infectious. This may require potential debridement or removal of infected tissue by your veterinarian, more antibiotics, and cold hosing the area daily along with exercise to help reduce the swelling and potential scirrhous cord formation. This is when some of the tissue becomes hardened and infected, and there may be chronic drainage from the area. Full recovery typically takes about two weeks if no complications arise; it’s important to keep newly gelded horses away from mares for the first several weeks as there are still high levels of testosterone circulating in the body, and they can still impregnate a mare potentially after 30 days after castration.,Behavioral Changes After Castration In time, your horse will have less “studly” urges, unless your horse was very mature and had been used for breeding prior to the castration. Over time this will lead to less reactiveness to mares, a generally calmer demeanor, and less aggression. Older stallions are less likely to change their attitude, as many of their behaviors are learned. Featured Image: iStock.com/Somogyvari,What is Horse Castration? Castration is the term used for the removal of testicles in horses, similar to the word “neutering” in dogs and cats. This procedure can be done with the horse either standing, or recumbent (laying down), either on their back or on one side. Intact male horses are referred to as stallions; once they have been castrated, they become geldings.

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WRITTEN BYCourtnee Morton, DVM, CVA, CVC Veterinarian Dr. Courtnee Morton is a 2017 Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine graduate. Since graduation, she completed an equine internship…,When it comes to being a pet parent, the hardest part is trying to decide when it’s time at the end of a pet’s life. Whether in an emergency, or as your horse ages, there may come a point where you wonder if they are still comfortable and happy. Measuring quality of life (QOL) in animals can be quite difficult, as they can’t verbally tell us how they’re feeling or about their comfort and happiness levels. Luckily, you and your veterinarian have some tools at hand to help evaluate. What Does Quality of Life Mean for Horses? Quality of life is defined as “the standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual.”  As a horse’s owner and daily caretaker, you can gauge these factors by a horse’s attitude, wellbeing, and behavior, which you will know best. The current average lifespan of a horse is approximately 25-30 years–much longer than it used to be, since many horses are now provided proper veterinary care, good nutrition, and aids to help with comfort for arthritis and other medical issues. Some conditions that may shorten either the lifespan or the comfort level of your horse over time include, among others:  Arthritis Navicular syndrome Poor dental health Inability to obtain nutrients from food Metabolic diseases Arthritis, decreased energy, and weight loss in the summers and winters are not uncommon in geriatric horses, even with appropriate care. While these may lead to a gradual decline in health or daily comfort, major injuries or severe illnesses should be considered for QOL long-term. If your horse has suffered a catastrophic accident­–consider if its’ fair to prolong their life or if they are suffering and unlikely to recover. Should your horse experience such an illness or injury, your vet will discuss your horse’s prognosis. They will discuss the likelihood of a smooth recovery or if attempting to treat them might be a long, uphill, expensive battle during which your horse is experiencing significant pain or stress. We must remember to always include the emotional as well as physical well-being when we are considering a horse’s quality of life.