Stallion with undescended testicles

Question
I inherited a miniature stallion, 2 yrs old, on which we can see no testicles. One vet said she couldn't find any, another vet said they were inside. My question is, how can we find out if he is a stallion or was gelded earlier? If he is really a gelding, would the mares act the same as if he were stallion? Thank you!

Answer
Dear Wendy

Last question first.  A lot of mares will "show" to a gelding.  Some geldings can act rather studdy. All of my mares show to geldings that were gelded by the age of one.  

Your first question is a bit more critical. He has either already been gelded or he's a bilateral cryptorchid. (Did you check with this horse's former vet?) With two different vets unable to find testes or telling you they are "inside", I'd suggest you have your vet do an ultrasound and find out for certain.  If he is a bilateral cryptorchid; they come in varying degrees of severity. Sometimes it's a temporary thing and they MAY drop by the time he's three or so.  However, waiting is not always a good idea as undescended testicles carry an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. There are some disagreements as to whether cryptorchidism is hereditary or not.  Most horses with undescended testicles will be at least somewhat infertile and even if they are fertile, breeding animals with known problems is not a good idea.

I'd definitely get a firm diagnosis.  An equine reproduction specialist may be just the ticket.


Good Luck

Lynne Curtis Gudes
"Common sense isn't."