As the breeding season is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to delve into the management of male horses, focusing on stallions and geldings. Understanding the distinct needs and characteristics of intact males (stallions) versus castrated males (geldings) is crucial for proper care, handling, and their overall well-being. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview for horse owners and enthusiasts.
A stallion is a sexually mature male horse that has not been castrated. In contrast, a gelding is a male horse whose testes have been surgically removed. While sexual maturity is typically reached around four years of age, some colts may exhibit stallion-like behaviors and sexual activity as early as eight months and should be separated from mares at this time. The decision to castrate is often made due to the challenging temperament and management difficulties associated with stallions. Many stallions require specialized housing, separate from mares, to prevent accidental breedings, and necessitate a firm yet cautious approach in handling. However, it’s important to note that some stallions are naturally docile and easy to manage.
Geldings, especially those castrated before significant stallion-like behaviors develop, generally make excellent companion and riding animals due to their more docile nature. If castration occurs later in life, typically after two years of age, some stallion-like or aggressive behaviors may persist. For novice horse owners, it is generally not recommended to own a stallion; intact males are usually kept for breeding purposes. In some instances, horses are left intact until certain physical characteristics, such as a larger size or a crested neck, develop, and are then castrated. This practice is common, for example, among Thoroughbred racehorses who may be kept as stallions to preserve the option of a breeding career should their racing performance be successful.
Understanding the Male Equine Reproductive Tract
The external genitalia of both stallions and geldings include the penis. Uniquely, the penis of a male horse is telescoped within itself when at rest, housed internally for most of the time. It is externalized during sexual arousal, urination, or states of sedation or relaxation. Medical issues can arise if a horse is unable to retract its penis, which can become a serious problem if left exposed for extended periods. Similar to concerns highlighted in human medical contexts, prolonged exposure can lead to complications. Tumors and other skin conditions affecting the penis are relatively common in horses. Therefore, regular cleaning of accumulated dirt and skin oils, known as ‘smegma,’ from the penis and sheath is essential. Veterinary clinics often perform this cleaning when male horses are sedated for routine procedures like dental floats, allowing for a thorough examination for signs of cancer or other abnormalities.
The scrotum houses a pair of testes. Veterinarians are familiar with various conditions that can affect the scrotum and testes, including infections, tumors, testicular torsion (a medical emergency often presenting as severe, sudden colic), and scrotal hernias. The testes are responsible for sperm production, while the epididymis, located adjacent to the testes, plays a vital role in sperm maturation, including packaging and storage. Upon ejaculation, sperm travel from the tail of the epididymis through the ductus deferens (analogous to the vas deferens in humans) towards the pelvis. They then merge with the urethra, the common exit pathway for both urine and semen, near the level of the anus. Three accessory glands—the bulbourethral glands, seminal vesicles, and prostate—add fluids to aid sperm transport through the urethra and several feet of penile tissue before exiting the body.
Future discussions will explore the different methods sperm utilize to reach an egg, including natural breeding by a stallion and artificial insemination (A.I.) using fresh, cooled, or frozen semen.
We encourage you to continue learning about equine health and management. If you have specific questions or topics you’d like to see covered in future articles or newsletters, please reach out. May your horses be healthy and well-cared for!
