what age to cut a stud colt

Question
I just rescued a colt,(Sonny) aprox. 7-8 mos. I've heard you can't pull the heels back, after they gotten as bad as his were. my furrier said he can... it will take about a year, about every 4 weeks, working on his feet. he is 3/4 halflinger and 1/4 Belgium .. so I'm thinking good feet.. what do you think ? and at what age do you think I should get him cut. hes working well (a little testy, just like kids lol lol) he leads, ties, lefts all feet and stands for me.. we're working on lunging traing now.. no round pen so slow working.. he still wants to stay close.. also little worried.. he had never been able to get to grass... now I stall him each night. but he will not come in/out of weather unless I bring him in.. he loves the grass.. and its rainy season here...  

Answer
Hi Jennie!

Yes, with the proper amount of restraint and careful consideration, your blacksmith should be able to fix your colt's hoof problems in about a year.  You are right on target with that :-)

As for gelding him, he is old enough right now and should be done ASAP.  The only requirements my vet ever had was that it be above freezing (32 degrees) for the day of the gelding and for 3 days afterwards.  Also, not to do it in fly season...so basically fall and early/late winter or early spring.

I bed them on straw to keep shavings out of the incision and I cold hose them right on the cut twice a day to bring down any swelling.  They should be turned out or longed the day after the gelding and kept moving (anyway you can) for at least a week or two after to help the healing process and keep down swelling.

It will swell a little, anything the size of a grapefruit or smaller is acceptable, bigger than a basketball....call the vet!!

He will be on antibiotics or bute and give him all his meds until they are gone, even if he is doing well.

Congratulations on rescuing Sonny and he is lucky to have you!  He seems to be doing well with his ground manners and you should keep after him about everything being done correctly and politely.  That is for his sake as much as yours.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange