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Discussion on Studlike behavior in gelding | |
Author | Message |
New Member: Banita |
Posted on Monday, Jul 10, 2006 - 12:05 pm: Can you check the hormones of a gelding to determine if he was properly gelded? I have a gelding that will often "test" his rider and his behavior is very studly. He'll shake/snake his head, strike out with a front foot, hump his back, and sometimes buck. He does this when he wants to do something different (be in front, go the other way, go with a certain horse, not work). For the most part, he's good and lots of fun, but I see this behavior in the pasture when he's trying to hang out with the mares (they're in separate pastures) and keep the other geldings away, and he does these things under saddle too.It's usually not too difficult to get him refocused, disengaged, and busy again listening to the rider, but it is annoying in that he still does this after nearly 4 years. It is not a pain issue. He has bucked off a couple of inexperienced riders and it appeared to be completely calculated on his part. Can I test his hormones and what can I do if they're outside of normal for a gelding? Thanks |
Member: Sswiley |
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 1:01 am: I Have looked into this for my gelding. He has been studdy all his life. As far as I know, you can test them for hormones but unless they are obviously proud cut there is nothing you can do about it. Horses have other sources for their hormones besides their testicles. Another thing I have been told you can test for, is an over active adrenal gland. That is about as far as I have taken it. Hope it is a start. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 6:50 am: We have a description of the testing procedure at Care for Horses » Management & Procedures » Castration in Horses.DrO |
Member: Banthony |
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 9:29 am: My gelding has done exactly what you describe except I always called it "race track behavior." I think it is the equivalent to a temper tantrum.My gelding LOVES the mares. He can't be in the pasture with mares and another gelding. He picks out a mare and herds her to a corner and won't let her out. From what I've read this is pretty common behavior in geldings. They are still boys even though they aren't studs. |
Member: Rasmith4 |
Posted on Tuesday, Jul 11, 2006 - 3:07 pm: Jane,I have 2 geldings in the same pasture with 2 mares that come in heat on a regular basis and neither one of them acts studly. As a matter of fact I have a miniature stallion and mare and he chases the geldings if he happens to escape from his pasture and gets into theirs. Both the geldings are afraid of him. Was he gelded after he had been sexually active? My vet told me that once they have been used to breed that gelding doesn't always stop the studly behavior. I was curious because I was going to geld my mini stallion so he would stop chasing the geldings. I guess I'm lucky with my 2 boys. Cheryl |
New Member: Banita |
Posted on Wednesday, Jul 12, 2006 - 12:05 pm: Thanks to all of you for your replies. This gelding is 12 y/o and I've had him nearly 4 years. I don't know his history, but was told he was gelded as a 2 y/o after a brief career (4 races) on the track. Apparently he didn't care much about winning. After that he was purchased to be a barrel horse, but he wasn't very good at that either. I would never think of him as a barrel horse -- he's tall and leggy and I just don't see him getting around those barrels very efficiently.He's a great trail horse, but his studly behaviors emerge whatever you're doing with him under saddle. He has excellent ground manners and has never challenged me on the ground. So, I've wondered if these behaviors are remnants from racing, barrel racing, or just studly. I don't know if he was ever bred, but I don't think so. He does do what I call the "barrel horse bump" sometimes -- part of his tantrum behaviors. One of my friends called it "fancy footwork". He does this when he wants to do something different from what his rider asks. He will always shake/snake his head first and occasionally he will put in a good buck or two if the rider doesn't get him disengaged and refocused in time. For a long time, I ignored the behaviors and simply rode through it, making him move forward and continue to work. But that didn't work, so I started actively disengaging him and making him do hard work for a few minutes -- canter, transitions, different circles, all moving well forward. But since none of the standard training methods worked -- he will still test me from time to time and he tests any other rider who gets on him -- I was interested in finding out if this may be due to hormonal issues. I guess I need to talk to my vet about doing the blood tests. thanks! |