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Post by yellopony on Mar 4, 2008 15:54:58 GMT -8
Since I a relatively new to the rescue world, hopefully someone can shed some light on this for me. My latest rescue "Major" I assume is a gelding. I was told his stint with starvation lasted about 7-9 months. During this time he was fed deer corn or a cheap sweet feed or no feed at all. No pasture, no hay. No supplements. You all saw his picture I posted. I asked the vet if he was gelded? He said well if he is not, then he is doing a very good job of hiding them. BUT, since he has been eating well, resting well and has companionship for the first time in a long time, he has been acting studish. Not biting, just "displaying" his wares when he near another horse A LOT! Is this normal? Do I need to think about getting the blood test to see if he is a crypt orchid? Someone told me ( mind you she is no vet!) that starved horses can absorb their testicles (??) Please send you thoughts on this! thanks
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Post by cherie on Mar 5, 2008 21:16:14 GMT -8
I have a gelding and am amused by the antics of geldings in my barn. Red frequently drops when I am grooming him. One large warmblood gelding drops the entire time he is inside. They are such goofs, lol. Does your boy show any mounting behavior?
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Post by yellopony on Mar 6, 2008 6:02:16 GMT -8
no, nothing like that. He just does not have the energy for that I don't think. I hope it never comes to that anyway!!! He occasionally will trot or even canter for a stride or two, but mostly he is quiet. Mostly due to his condition I think. That could all change soon, especially since he is a TB and so young.
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Post by Eileen M on Mar 6, 2008 16:59:48 GMT -8
I've seen many geldings "hang out" just because they are relaxed. Jack does it, often. Your young guy is feeling better, and it sounds like he is relaxing (sorry, couldn't resist) I'd work on ALOT of ground work, and r-e-s-p-e-c-t (said in Aretha voice), to CYA. It isn't going to hurt, that's for sure. CYA yourself, too, and read up on the crytoid issue. IMHO, it never hurts to be prepared. Off my soap box ;D
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Post by Eileen M on Mar 6, 2008 17:00:26 GMT -8
Acck..how old is this guy?
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Post by yellopony on Mar 6, 2008 20:54:39 GMT -8
Oh I get it, this is funny to you guys ;D Ok, I guess he must be fine. BUT I do need to get a jump on the respect issue, as I can see trouble brewing in the future. He gets pushy at feeding time and when I ask him to back up so I can get in the stall door, he pushes back and get stubborn! I have been around horses enough years to know when they have been spending too much thinking and not enough working. No reason why I shouldnt be doing some light ground work, except for OH yeah, he is LAME!!! I was going to make a new post, but this is fine. I just had this horrid thought tonight, what if he is foundering? He was slightly lame on one front foot ( the one that was in the worst shape) but now he seems sore on both front feet and is not much interested in walking today at all. My farrier will be here for routine trims in the morning. I just pray that he is ok, I do not need ANY set backs thank you.
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Post by Eileen M on Mar 13, 2008 17:49:34 GMT -8
How did you make out with the farrier?
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Post by yellopony on Mar 14, 2008 4:51:54 GMT -8
The farrier thinks it is just weak soles. His feet went untrimmed for so long, he was being ridden on those poor feet and some of the cracks and splits when way up into his hoof wall. He told me to paint the bottoms of his feet every other day with Reducine. It is helping a lot. He still does not want to walk on the concrete, but he is better. The vet was here this week too, the other horses needed EEE shots and all that stuff (big vet bill once again ) I asked her the question about the testicles and she said he could have drawn them up due to the severe lack of nutrition and they may still be there She said he needs to gain some more weight and when she is here in 3 weeks again, she will palpate him. Given the fact that he was culled from a TB breeding farm, is barely 2, is exhibiting stud like tendencies, and has been starved, it is not out of the realm of possibilties that he was never gelded. The big TB farms cut there losses where ever they can. It is up to the farm manager what happens to the colts that are deemed unraceable. so sad..... But on a good note, he is actually been behaving better lately. His manners on the halter are better, he is still pushy at feeding time, but he gets so excited to see the feed coming he can hardly contain himself. I have been keeping him in the main barn at night next to a big paint mare that is on stall rest. He can sniff her through the bars and I have not seen any crazy behaviors, now when the lights go out.... ?
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Post by yellopony on Mar 25, 2008 4:46:02 GMT -8
Major is intact, well, if you call one testicle that is dropped but small, and the other odd shaped and not dropped but is there. Dr. Sarah was here yesterday. so darn it all, I now have a rescued TB colt that is upwards of 15 hands, is beginning to feel better and has nuts!!!!!! I led him out to the Veterinarian's truck so he could get his last booster shot, I reminded her that today was the day she was supposed to palpate him, as the words were spilling out, I bent down and "looked in his pants", and there it was, a testicle!!!!!!! Sure explains alot!! Only he actually has been good lately, no stud like behaviors and his ground manners are better. But then I have started the Parelli level one program with him, so that may be attributing to his manners. His surgery to remove the offensive little buggers is April 11. It will cost me 150 plus farm call fee. Oh well, now to break the news to my banker ( husband ) Dr. Sarah wants him to gain more weight before the surgery, she could have scheduled him for this week, but I think it is too for him as well. so, the truth comes out at last....
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Post by yellopony on Apr 13, 2008 6:31:20 GMT -8
I think I posted it, but in case you missed it... Major is not a minor. His castration went ok. He had a rough day, but most of it is behind him now. just the swelling, hosing, lunging etc. He is eating fine, go figure!!
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