My friend who is 75 has castrated colts for 40 years with out sedating the horse and has had great success. He's never had one problem. He explained the process and I have done reacher and it seems to be a simple process, however I prefer to use some medication to sedate the colt. Does anyone have any suggestion for a sedative?
If I understand this correctly, you have never actually trained for this with a mentor, or assisted in the procedure.. ....just been told how to do it, and done some research. I wonder if you've run across any worst case scenarios, or only success stories? There is nothing simple about a procedure you have never been properly trained to perform, especially if you are not prepared for any and all complications that may arise. To make your own horse a guinee pig for you to try this out is unconscionable. In some locations, it is against the law for you to do this yourself.
You know, over the years I've met more tall tale telling, truth stretching old timer "horse experts" than I can count. It's pretty easy to claim "great success" when no one kept any records, if you know what I mean. Why not do your horse a favor, change your mind, and have this done by someone who is actually qualified to do it the right way.
EDIT...I just received this information today. Apparently the government is subsidizing free castration clinics around the country. You should read this article and see if a voucher is available in your area if you live in the US.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx...
You know, over the years I've met more tall tale telling, truth stretching old timer "horse experts" than I can count. It's pretty easy to claim "great success" when no one kept any records, if you know what I mean. Why not do your horse a favor, change your mind, and have this done by someone who is actually qualified to do it the right way.
EDIT...I just received this information today. Apparently the government is subsidizing free castration clinics around the country. You should read this article and see if a voucher is available in your area if you live in the US.
http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx...
RN and 57 years with horses
If you have never seen you friend do this, you're taking his word for his success rate. Has his failure rate ever been mentioned? Has anyone of his victims owners verified the quality of his "expertise"?
Who taught him to do this? Have you ever seen the results of his abilities? How many dangerous, proud cut 'geldings' of his are out there?
You are only hearing half the story, his version.
If you're going to attempt this on your own horse and something goes wrong you could land up with a cruelty charge and some legal problems. If you do this on someone else's horse you can be charged for practicing veterinary medicine w/o a license. More legal trouble.
I've heard that men can be castrated...It looks simple, I'll do some research (not reacher) and even get a sedative. Do you want to be my first attempt?
If his now failing memory is something you're taking for Gospel, you're a bigger fool than he is. How old are you that you haven't realized that people embellish and lie?
Who taught him to do this? Have you ever seen the results of his abilities? How many dangerous, proud cut 'geldings' of his are out there?
You are only hearing half the story, his version.
If you're going to attempt this on your own horse and something goes wrong you could land up with a cruelty charge and some legal problems. If you do this on someone else's horse you can be charged for practicing veterinary medicine w/o a license. More legal trouble.
I've heard that men can be castrated...It looks simple, I'll do some research (not reacher) and even get a sedative. Do you want to be my first attempt?
If his now failing memory is something you're taking for Gospel, you're a bigger fool than he is. How old are you that you haven't realized that people embellish and lie?
I understand that you friend may have alot of experience with this and you trust his judgment but could you reconcile with yourself it something went wrong? There are so many things that can go wrong, a testicle that has not descended or it attached to intestine. A reaction to the sedatives, if your colt struggles when he gets up ha can lose all of his intestines through the incision sight and then there will be no saving him. Even the healing process can have complications like healing from the outside in. Vets see these things everyday and are prepared to handle them. If your colt is insured and something goes wrong the insurance won't cover it. Invite your friend to be there when the vet is there but call a vet because what your talking about is dangerous for your horse and you.
Do not sedate an animal without vet supervision, there is a lot that can go wrong. Castration is an inexpensive procedure, my vet charges a whole $60, and you'd probably pay more than that for the drugs and equipment to do it yourself. Just because an old-timer has done something with 'great success' doesn't make it the right way to do it. There are a lot of things that used to be done in the 'good old days' that are no longer done because it is simply not safe and there are now much better ways of doing things. It is a surgical procedure and should be performed by a licensed veterinarian. Do the humane thing and get a vet out to do it- how would you feel if you screwed up and caused your horse extreme pain, infection, or worse?
Call the freaking vet! So he has never had a problem? So what? Maybe your colt will be the first. Why would anyone allow some butcher near your horse and allow him to cut his nuts off without any anesthesia! People who think it doesn't hurt should have the same done to them. Horses are considered companion animals, not livestock and for that they deserve the curtesy you would give a dog or cat or your child for that matter. Get qualified medical personell to handle any medical or surgical procedure. Pay the freaking money it is not THAT expensive (under $200 in most places).
A few things that can go wrong.. Eventration occurs when part of the abdominal contents (most commonly loops of small intestine) comes out through the incision site or down into the scrotum. This usually occurs within the first few hours of surgery, but may occur days following the procedure. Call the vet immediately.
Bleeding can be a serious complication. Again, call the vet at the first sign of unusual bleeding.
Because the castration incision must be left open to drain serum, infection is another common complication. Castration sites need to heal from the inside out. If the outside skin heals first, serum and blood can accumulate in a pocket and the site will become infected.
If too much spermatic cord was pulled out of the abdominal cavity during the surgery, the stump may retract into the abdomen. This can cause bleeding and infection that requires additional veterinary attention.
Best Bet:::Call a Vet ! Would you like to have an operation and be wide awake ? Not me! :-)
Bleeding can be a serious complication. Again, call the vet at the first sign of unusual bleeding.
Because the castration incision must be left open to drain serum, infection is another common complication. Castration sites need to heal from the inside out. If the outside skin heals first, serum and blood can accumulate in a pocket and the site will become infected.
If too much spermatic cord was pulled out of the abdominal cavity during the surgery, the stump may retract into the abdomen. This can cause bleeding and infection that requires additional veterinary attention.
Best Bet:::Call a Vet ! Would you like to have an operation and be wide awake ? Not me! :-)
40 + years owning horses 30+ years breeding/raising/showing/training AQHA.
not really any suggestions for sedative, but may i suggest that you probebly should ask a local vet (horse vet) or if your really not sure, since your friend has had success without using a sedative..maybe get him/her to castrate the colt for you?
DIY castration!? That's frightening thing to imagine.. I feel sorry for the horse mentioned.