Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

At 11:50 PM 9/20/2004, melanie.o@xxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I recently heard that Dr. Miller (of the imprint training fame) has been 
> gelding colts 2-3 days after birth before their testicles go back inside 
> their bodies.

I've heard that too.  I am real curious to see if anyone has taken a look 
at those horses when they're grown up.  I don't have enough science 
knowledge to comment one way or another, but I am curious as to whether 
there's more or less risk to a colt to be gelded that early.  I'd think 
there would be a risk with anaesthesia.

If there's no anaesthesia, no one is going to ever convince me it's a good 
idea at any time except in *extreme* emergency.  And no way no one no time 
no place am I going to be convinced that surgery on any being, human or 
otherwise, without anaesthesia, is OK.  Before you argue it isn't a big 
deal, have it done to yourself.  I don't hold with the argument that just 
because someone/thing can't communicate to you that things don't hurt, or 
that just because a being is very young, the pain is insignificant.  We're 
talking organ removal here. I've yet to see any un-anaesthesized critter 
not writhe or scream in pain at any age when castrated (or circumsized!).

________________________________
   Lif Strand      fasterhorses.com
           Quemado NM USA
High Country Rider:  An endurance rider's journal
   www.fasterhorses.com/highcountryrider/