Meet my newest gelding...
Yes, yesterday I kept my appointment at the vet clinic and took my darling Shooter to meet the vet. I was all prepared to take pictures...and then I got kind of sick at the thought of gelding this guy and had to walk away while they did it. In a way, I think it was a huge mistake. But in a way, I'm relieved it's over and I don't have to think about whether I should or shouldn't anymore. It's done. It's not reversable. And now I am going to have an awesome gelding.He weighted in at 678lbs and is just shy of 14H. That's not bad for a 11 month old colt that is not on a fattening diet. He just gets crested wheat/prairie grass hay and a 1/2 can of oats(once a day). It's obviously enough...
(whoops-this one is a little blurry)
He'll have to spend another day or two in the corral, but then we'll open the gate and let him and Blue have the option to go out and graze in the pasture. Stand back, cause he'll start growing and filling out then.Yes, my handsome lad...
You'll be grazing on green grass soon. Instead of you watching the other horses get fat and sassy, they'll be staring at you.Now this is the kind of tail I am praying I get on the new foal...
15 comments:
A good stud makes a GREAT gelding! Even though you may have a few regrets now, I'll bet you enjoy him much more as a gelding! He looks so athletic!
Well, as long as ya didn't tell us that you brought home the leavings and fried them up ;)
It's all good. He'll have a better life this way, and you will have Less STRREEEESSSSSSS.
Amen to THAT huh?
Smack them hams from me please!
I'm betting you didn't throw them on or over the roof for good luck.
Hey is a gorgeous horse but you made the right decision...they are plenty of really nice studs out ther to choose from, no need to deal with a stallion if you can have a really unbelievable gelding. And he will be! Are you expecting a full brother/sister? Lets hope for a filly!!
He sure is a gorgeous horse. I know it was a hard decision, and I can see why. But he will be a wonderful gelding!!
He's a beautiful boy! ;) I hope he heals up soon! Have a great weekend!
VG-I've always been of the same belief. I'd rather be riding a gelding that people thought I should have left a stud than a stud people think I should geld.
Mrs Mom-You hit the nail on the head. We are capable of dealing with one stallion, but leaving Shooter intact would probably mean I would have had to sell at least the controlling interest in him and that pretty much defeated the purpose.
CCH-No, I've never heard of that particular wive's tail. So no and no I didn't cook them up either.;) I've eaten cow and pig, never horse.
Horse Crazed-Shooter is the last colt out of my old mare. She is 25 this year. So there won't be any full brother's/sisters to look forward to. I'm very fond of what this mare produces and have no mares by her to carry on her legacy. She did produce one mare, but the guy who owns her is in love with her and won't sell her. I have let him know that I would take the mare back irregardless of her age anytime he decides he is willing to give her up. That mare is 14 this year, so maybe in a few more years he may be willing to part with her.
Ideally, we are hoping that the stallion we have consistently produces colts that look/act like Shooter. I sure can see a lot of the stud in this colt. This stallion was specifically selected to cross on our King/Leo and King/Sugar Bars bred mares, so it's not like these other colts shouldn't be up to par. We'll know in a few days...or weeks if these mares don't start getting with the foaling program. Don't they realize how anxious I am to see babies?
Mikey-Thanks. I love the little turd.
PG-You would never know he had surgery. We went by the Farmer's Almanac. We almost always do. At the very least we do not geld colts or casterate calves when it says the blood is in the genetalia. Some people poo-poo it, but we have never had any problems with bleeding, swelling or infection, so I guess I believe it works.
Just remind yourself, good stud = GREAT gelding the majority of the time :)
Love the new look, nice color!!! He is gorgeous!! I'm glad your done tormenting yourself :) Nice size on him thus far, can't wait to see him shoot up!! And I'm gonna vouch for the Farmer's Almanac, we do everything by it!!!
Oh I'm not gonna say you did the right/wrong thing because I've been where you're at twice! He is an awesome gelding regardless! I love how he's put together! We have old Foundation bloodlines too. I love your posts that talk about that! So much to learn. Our vet also told us about throwing the remains over the barn for good luck .....guess it started in the race/TB barns! As far as the Farmer's Almanac goes, we did one by it and one not....they turned out just the same. We have not done any animals by it but my yearling needs his umbilical sewn up because we can still get two fingers in....never closed up completely and I'm gonna consult the almanac for that soon before the bugs and flies start up bad. What are you going to do with your boy? What discipline.....and will you train him yourself?
Was meaning to say we have not done any other animals by the almanac.
Good girl!!! I understand your hesitation and second guessing though. You will probably always wonder "what if," but when his attitude greatly improves over the next month or so, you'll be glad that you did it. :)
He is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I agree with Mikey - you did right girl!
Can't wait to see what he can do!
What a handsome devil!! And I bet he is going to be one great gelding!! He really looks awesome. Not like a yearling at all!! My father in law has a two year old that looks smaller than him!! :) way cute boy!!
He is a handsome guy for sure. Great looking boy. I'm sure you will be glad you gelded him.
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