Re: RC: Regumate & Stallions & Gelding

[CMKSAGEHIL@aol.com]

In a message dated Sun, 12 Aug 2001  2:57:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time, guest@endurance.net writes:

> Bart texastwist@ev1.net
> I have a stallion that is very territorial to other horses. A vet
> mentioned regumate, or at least I think that was the name. I was not able
> to discuss it in more detail due to the circumstances at the time.
> 
> Has anyone had any experience with this product on stallions, or do I have
> the wrong product?

This product is all too frequently used on stallions in show and race settings, but it is NOT recommended, and it DOES cause irreversible testicular changes.  There were a couple of really good papers on this subject presented at the American Association of Equine Practitioners annual meeting a few years ago.  Also, although many stallions seem to be quieter when on the product, there are anecdotal reports of some stallions having very adverse behavioral effects from it.  None were reported in the research stallions, but it sure isn't something I'd care to risk.

> What happens with gelding a 9 year old stallion? Will his physical
> appearance, muscleeing, endurence, attitude change?

Actually, geldings tend to keep their mind on their business far better in endurance, as a rule--although there have been a few notable exceptions.  In most cases, the appearance won't change a whole lot, but the attitude usually improves.  I've gelded stallions well into their teens--the oldest one I ever did was 19, and he went on the following year to be a super show horse for an 8-year-old child.

Heidi