At VEVS, we only perform gelding surgeries if the horse is handled and halter-broken.

This is because when the horse recovers from the anesthetic it can be very dangerous if they get up suddenly and are startled at being in a halter, as we need to guide them as they rise to prevent injury to them. Also, it is easier and safer to administer later treatments in the rare case of there being complications.

We are also only able to perform the surgery if both testes can be located. It is highly unethical for a vet to only remove one teste, as this means that some of the unwanted traits of a stallion may still be present in your horse (as he actually hasn’t been gelded). This could be very dangerous if, later down the track, a future owner is not aware of their condition (commonly referred to as a rig), and the horse displays dangerous behaviors.

We will also ask for your horse’s age, as gelding surgeries in older horse can be much more complicated. Also, if you are gelding them to change their behavior and they are older, they may not change anyway, as they have had those traits for such a long period.

Back to FAQs