very studly gelding

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I recently purchased a four year old saddle bred, whom was gelded at 2.5 years of age. The man i purchased him from was too eager to get rid of him, but i figured i would buy him and if i couldn't handle him, i could sell him as he was extremely beautiful and of show quality. However i was extremely unprepared for this stud like behavior that the man (forgot to mention)!!!!!!
I got him home and immediately he started snorting,pawing,rearing,showing his teeth(not in the flesh-man manor)i put him in his stall and he began pacing still snorting, trying to bite (as i was attempting to try and calm him. i decided i had better get him out of the stall and into the pasture. Before i could do so him jumped a 5.9" stall wall at a dead stop, he was unhurt except a small cut on his hind leg, I decided to have the vet come out and give him an anti stress medication and the vet suggested tranquilizing him so that i could put him in a half acre 7" fenced area, He was the given to an experienced trainer because i could not handle him and have never been around these behavioral problems.
My question is how is it that this horse was so studly? the vet said he had been in fact gelded and it appeared not recently.Needless to say i was extremely upset with the man whom sold the horse to me, I had told him i needed more of a beginners kind of horse. Thank you for your time, My question is more of me just trying to understand more than anything else, and hoping the next horse i purchase if a gelding, doesn't behave this way!!!

ANSWER: How long have you had this horse?
I think you should try to return him and get a refund. He sounds as if he should be handled by a professional horse person who has had a lot of experience.

Once in a great while, even after gelding, some tissure is left which still produces testosterone into the system of the not- fully gelded horse. A risling used to be a term for this type of horse. I have handled two rislings that I know of in my career and they were both difficult to handle. Both had more complete surgery later on  and this resulted in better behavior.


You should not buy a stallion! There is no reason to do this unless you have a breeding farm and the horse is a truly outstanding example of his breed. Almost all male horses should be gelded. There are so many limitations and safety issues in owning a stallion. I have trained and shown many of them, but they were housed in correct surroundings. Fences have to be stallion proof, and there is added liability in owning one if they ever get loose.

I would ask your vet if you still have this horse. He can run tests to see if there is still tissue that is releasing hormones. But in any case, try to return this horse to his former owner.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again and thank you for your answer, I only had this horse for one day and gave him away to an experienced horse handler, As i knew i would only get hurt.
The man i purchased him from was all to happy to be rid of him, so i know he would not take him back.I am alittle upset with this particular person because i did tell him i needed a well broke horse.
I did however buy a new gelding whom is a sweetheart, He does however start to snort and get skiddish in the same area as the last gelding (zulu), but does not show and stud like behavior.My new question is there is a pig pen about twenty feet in front of the pasture, Could this be the cause for the alarm my new gelding is sounding of?
Your advice is greatly appreciated and very helpful,
alicia

Answer
Hello!

I think it is a very strong possibility that the pig pen is the cause of the spookiness.
As you know, horses have a better sense of smell, hearing, etc., than people do. Since they are prey animals if anything provokes anxiety their "flight or fright" mechanism kicks in.

When I attended a Horsemaster Course in England, when we went trekking, there was always one certain road that was a problem. People raised pigs on a farm, and the pigs were turned out in a pasture...very clean,but the horses always were difficult to get past the farm.

I was told that horses do not like pigs-their scent or to be around them.I also have clients who have to spend time with their horses until the horses accept cows if they have not been around them before. You did not say whether or not pigs are still there, but your horse is telling you that he is afraid, in any case.

If this is the problem, you need to spend time getting your horse accustomed to the area around the pen. This will be included in your training routine. You may have to lead the horse around the pen, keeping your energy low and your voice soothing. Make certain that you do not punish your horse for being afraid, no matter what people may tell you..."He is being disobedient, not resoecting you, all of that chatter.....www.MitziSummers.com