Imagine a stallion running across open plains, elegant and powerful, his mane catching the air as he charges ahead. It’s a scene you’ve undoubtedly seen in the movies. We’ve all heard the term stallion, whether or not it was used in its intended form, yet how many of us actually know what it means?
But what is a stallion and what is gelding? Let’s take a look at these two terms, and delve into the male horse experience!
What is a Stallion?
A stallion is a male horse who is intact and is therefore still sexually viable. When a horse is left intact, it’s usually an intentional decision that serves to protect and further strengthen the gene pool. In layman terms, the breeder sees good qualities in him and wants him to reproduce with a female horse, called a mare.
Stallions can be aggressive, which can make them very dangerous, especially if there’s another stallion or mare as they like to prove they’re the dominant horse. These 1,000-pound animals have a very strong breeding instinct and if mishandled can kick, bite, rear up on hind legs, and strike out with their front legs.
This is why it’s important for horses to be gelded if they’re not intended for breeding. Breeding stallions can be gelded when their breeding career is over to help control aggressive behaviors and manage dangerous conditions.
So, What is Gelding?
You may have already guessed it, but gelding refers to the castration of a male horse, donkey, or mule. Male horses who have been gelded are often called geldings.
Gelding is done for a number of reasons, including the preservation of the gene pool, to prevent unwanted breedings, as well as to minimize behavioral issues. Gelding a horse tends to make them more trainable, and easier to ride and handle.
This is the most common practice around the world, especially in the modern day.
However, some cultures have traditionally frowned upon the practice of gelding. Though it’s far less common now, in such cases stallions are corralled together in what’s dubbed a “bachelor” grouping.
This not only prevents them from mating with the females, or mares, but also tends to minimize aggressive behaviors. In fact, they’re often said to behave like geldings in this environment.
What Happens to the Geldings?
Now that you know what gelding is, you may be wondering, “what is gelding doing for them?”
Geldings are often the preferred choice for riders due to the fact that they tend to be safer, quieter, and more well-behaved compared to mares, who can be moody during their heat cycles. They tend to be unconcerned with mares, and also get more social time with others!
While a colt can have a racing career, once he becomes a stallion that career ends. However, there have been many instances when trainers have felt if a stallion had been gelded, he’d have a successful racing career.
The Age of the Gelding
If you’re a dog or cat owner, you probably have some familiarity with the process and timing involved with fixing fur babies. Veterinarians are relying on modern science to determine the best age for spaying and neutering, and it ranges from breed to breed, and dog to dog. This process is very similar for horses.
So some reasonable questions are, what is gelding helping and at what age?
The ideal age of stallions to be castrated varies from professionals, but all seem to agree that it’s around a year, with some suggesting as young as 3 to 6 months (so long as their testicles have descended). Many horse owners opt to geld earlier so that the colt doesn’t experience a jump in testosterone levels and develop any stallion behaviors.
Some horse owners wait until they’re 18 months of age to allow the colt to develop a stronger, more stallion-like physique.
What is the Castration Procedure?
The act of gelding isn’t a new one, and can actually be traced back to 350 B.C.E., as per the notes of Aristotle. However, it wasn’t so long ago that horse owners were performing geldings. Only quite recently have veterinarians begun taking over and performing the procedure.
That is sadly as horrifying as it sounds, but it’s helpful to know that geldings are now a surgical procedure, and anesthesia for castration is an absolute requirement. This means that recovery time is lessened and pain is significantly less and better managed. No surgery is without common risk, but the wellbeing of the horse is far greater today.
Can a Female Horse Be Gelded?
What is gelding like for a female horse? Mares are far less likely to be spayed. It’s not typically necessary but is also a far more invasive, far less simple procedure, which means it happens far less than for males.
Some mares have a reputation for being stubborn, anxious, or moody while in heat. However, for the most part, mares are well-tempered and easy to care for, so it would only be in very specific circumstances that a mare is spayed.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever ridden a male horse, the chances are very good that he was gelded. Gelding is an important part of a horse’s life that can improve the quality of his social interactions, with other horses and people alike, and can lead to greater opportunities for racing and working careers.
No matter if you’re a beginner, novice, or an expert on horses, learning about the lives of horses, and finding the answers to questions like “what is gelding?” will help you to understand these incredible creatures just that much better!
https://www.britannica.com/animal/gelding
https://equestrianco.com/blogs/latest/70476741-what-is-a-gelding-mare-stallion
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gelding
https://www.thesprucepets.com/definition-of-gelding-1886645