What Is A Proud Cut Horse? (Solution)

What are the characteristics of a good cutting horse?

• Select a forage species that can produce a good hay.
• Harvest the crop at the best stage for maximum nutritive value and yield.
• Cut (swath) the hay so that drying and baling the hay can be done efficiently while maintaining the quality.
• Dry the hay to 15-20% moisture.

Can a proud cut horse still breed?

A gelding is termed “proud cut” if the horse has been castrated, but all or a part of a testis remains after castration. In this case, this apparent gelding will typically display stallion-like behavior due to the testosterone produced by the remaining testicular tissue. Proud-cut geldings are usually infertile.

How do I know if my horse is proud cut?

A horse is considered “proud cut” if it’s been gelded but continues to act like a stallion.

How much does it cost to fix a proud cut horse?

It will cost around $1000.00 to try to surgically repair the wreck. There is no guarantee that it will be repaired, either. The other thing you could try would be to have a breeding center ‘collect’ him or have a Vet insert a tiny endoscope through a tiny hole and ‘see’ what is just above the inguinal ring.

Can a gelded horse still get hard?

These geldings may mount mares, act possessive of mares in a band, achieve an erection, or pursue mares even while being ridden.

Can you recut a proud cut horse?

Depends. Proud cut could refer to gelding the horse after he has been used for breeding, or historically it is a term for a horse that was gelded but part the epididymis was left behind. For a male horse that was used for breeding and then gelded – the behaviors are learned, and most likely will not change.

How can you tell if a horse is a stallion?

Stallions follow the conformation and phenotype of their breed, but within that standard, the presence of hormones such as testosterone may give stallions a thicker, “cresty” neck, as well as a somewhat more muscular physique as compared to female horses, known as mares, and castrated males, called geldings.

What does proud cut mean?

Traditionally, the term ‘proud-cut’ implies that a part of the epididymis (sperm storage site located adjacent to the testes) was left in the horse at the time of castration. Hormonal diagnostic tests are available to determine if a horse is a true gelding or a cryptorchid stallion.

How do you geld a stallion?

Gelding Procedure and Care The horse is sedated, and local anesthesia is administered for a standing castration, or a general anesthesia is used if the horse is to be castrated lying down. The procedure involves removing the testicles, epididymis, and a portion of the spermatic cord through a small incision.

When can u geld a colt?

Any colt can be gelded from as early as a week old, provided he has both testicles descended and if you can find a vet willing to geld that young. Many vets prefer to wait until the colt is several months old as they feel they will handle the anaesthetic better.

Why do they cut horse’s balls off?

Why are horses castrated? Most male horses are castrated for convenience in order to eliminate or reduce male behaviour such as aggression and uncooperativeness in those horses that are not intended for breeding purposes.

How do you tell if a horse is a rig?

A rig is an entire male horse with no signs of external testicles so appears to be a gelding; but one or two testicles are still present, producing testosterone. A rig behaves like a stallion and, potentially, may be fertile.

What is a false rig horse?

A horse that has had both testes removed but still exhibits overt masculine behaviour is sometimes called a false rig. False rigs are often attributed to a horse which is “proud cut”, that is part of the epididymis is left behind at castration; however, the epididymis is unable to produce the hormone testosterone.

The Proud-Cut Gelding

A horse breeding mystery: Determine whether your gelding is in fact a cryptorchid stallion by doing a DNA test. The American Quarter Horse Association | Breeding and foal care, AQHA | April 10, 2018 Horse Health and Care,Breeding,Horse Ownership,Horse Health and Care,Horse Health and Care Dr. Patrick McCue published an article in The American Quarter Horse Journal. You purchased him the previous winter to serve as a pasture companion for your mare. He was a 5-year-old horse that had been gelded when he was a yearling, according to the owner.

This continued throughout the summer.

This is a congenital abnormality in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum at the time of conception.

There are many misconceptions about what is causing a horse to behave in a stallion-like manner after it has been gelded.

1. A proud-cut horse is one that has had a portion of its epididymis (the sperm storage site found next to the testicles) left in it after being castrated, according to traditional definition.
2. Because education is, after all, the finest kind of preparedness!
3. Nevertheless, because theepididymis does not generate testosterone, removing the structure from a horse would not result in the continuance of stallion-like behavior.
4. The behavior of stallion-like characteristics may persist in stallions who are castrated at an elderly age.
5. In What Way Can You Tell?
6. One of the most often utilized tests is a blood test that measures testosterone levels in the bloodstream.
7. It is expected that testosterone levels in the blood will be extremely low (less than 100 pg/ml) with the absence of testicular tissue.

Generally speaking, the testosterone levels in a cryptorchid stallion are greater than those of an intact stallion (i.e.

In other cases, however, the examination of testosterone levels in a single blood sample may not be adequate to distinguish a cryptorchid stallion from a gelding.

It is necessary to acquire a blood sample shortly prior to administering hCG.

Dr.

If you’d want even additional information, you may read the Equine Breeding Techniques and Foal Health Tipsreport from the American Quarter Horse Association.

Testicular tissue present in cryptorchid horses will secrete more testosterone as a result of the hCG being administered to them.

What Should You Do in This Situation?

Because of this, horses with two cryptorchid testes may tease mares, get an erection, mount and ejaculate, but they are infertile when they reproduce.

As a result, affected horses may display unpredictable, aggressive, or stallion-like behavior, as well as a slightly increased chance of developing medical disorders such as testicular tumors and torsion of the spermatic cord.

What Is a Proud Cut Horse? Its Cause, Symptoms, and Facts

Any links on this page that direct you to things on Amazon are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a compensation. Thank you in advance for your assistance — I much appreciate it! Our next-door neighbor invited us over to see a horse he had recently purchased. My grandson was particularly interested since he had heard that the horse had been “proud cut” and wasn’t sure what to anticipate as a result. Horses with a “proud cut” are geldings who exhibit stallion-like characteristics.

“Proud cut” is a term that is used often and is usually misunderstood.

A Proud Cut Horse

When a horse has been gelded yet continues to behave like a stallion, it is referred to as a “proud cut.” Several factors might account for this phenomena, but before we get too far into the subject of “proud cut,” let’s take a look at the gelding process.

Gelding

A gelding is a male horse that has had his castration removed. Castration is the surgical removal of the testicles and their accompanying components, such as the spermatic cord and epididymis, from the male reproductive system. Castration of horses is used to limit reproduction and to lessen aggressive behavior in horses. Generally speaking, horses with weaker bloodlines are the most probable candidates for castration. Colts are typically castrated when they are young, with some being castrated as early as three months of age.

1. If you castrate a horse before both of its testicles have completely descended into the animal’s pelvic cavity, this is not a good idea.
2. Because geldings are often simpler to manage and train than stallions, if a horse is not destined to be a stud contender, its owner will castrate him.
3. We purchased a young thoroughbred stallion with great breeding for the purpose of racing him.
4. In fact, he was so preoccupied with fillies and mares that he refused to load into a starting gate.
5. As a result, we decided to castrate him, and following the treatment, he began training correctly and eventually developed into a successful racer.

The castration process

Castrating a horse is not a difficult process, and horse owners used to undertake the surgery on their animals in the past.

My grandpa used to castrate horses on his farm, and I remember it well. A horse castration would be unusual nowadays if it were performed by anybody other than a licensed veterinarian. The following are the normal stages involved in castrating a horse:

• The horse is given a sedative by the veterinarian, and the animal falls to the ground. After he has been sleeping calmly for a while, the veterinarian thoroughly cleans the surgery region with an antiseptic. The testicles are revealed when the surgeon makes an incision in the scrotum
• The testicles are removed. It is necessary to clamp down on the blood veins above the testicles. Surgical removal of both testicles as well as their related tissues is performed
• It is sometimes required to apply sutures, however it is not always necessary.

In the event that a horse exhibits stallion-like behavior after castration, it is most likely because the castration procedure did not completely remove both testicles, and the horse is still releasing testosterone.

“Proud cut” and stallion-like behavior

In addition to mounting mares, stallions are expected to engage in fighting with other horses, have erections, and display aggressive behavior against people and other animals. These characteristics have a direct relationship with testosterone. When it comes to the behavior and physical characteristics of animals, testosterone plays a critical role. A stallion’s testicles are responsible for producing approximately all of the testosterone in the animal. As a result, it follows logically that removing the testicles will result in the stallion’s behavior ceasing.

More often than not, these escapades are seen in stallions castrated later in life rather than horses gelded at a young age.

Is “Proud Cut” a myth

For the reasons previously stated, geldings who exhibit stallion-like behavior are referred to as “proud-cut” horses. The conventional theory holds that the veterinarian did not completely remove the entire testosterone-producing apparatus during the castration process, as was the case in this case. But was it a failure, or did the “proud cut” notion turn out to be false? However, if the surgeon was unsuccessful in removing either the testicles or a related tissue, the horse may conceivably continue to make testosterone.

• However, the theory has several limitations.
• The presence of an intact testicle in a stud indicates that it was not removed before castration and is therefore still generating hormones.
• The term cryptorchid comes from the Latin word meaning “hidden testes.” Finding a cryptorchid can be a difficult endeavor.
• If you believe your horse is suffering from a retained testicle, ask your veterinarian to do a blood test to determine whether or not testosterone is being produced.
• It will be determined by this non-invasive test whether a horse has a retained testicle that is generating hormones.

If, on the other hand, the test results come back negative, it means that your horse is exhibiting taught behavior. A horse that is acting on learned behavior can be rehabilitated if given enough time and correct training procedures.

Related articles:

• What exactly is a gelding, and what exactly is Colic? Causes and symptoms of a disease
• What a Horse Eats: An Essential Guide
• Why Does My Horse Eat Dirt
• What a Horse Eats: An Essential Guide
• What Does It Mean When a Horse Pins its Ears Back
• What Does It Mean When a Horse Pins its Ears Back Why Do Horses Have Teeth? What Can We Learn from Their Teeth
• Do Horses Possess Intelligence? Facts and information about equine intelligence testing
• Is it true that horses are color blind? What Colors Can A Horse See
• What Colors Can A Horse See
• Breeding of live cover horses: Is it a requirement for Thoroughbreds to have a halter?

Proud Cut, Retained Testicular Tissue in Previously Castrated Horse

Diagnostic conditions or diseases that are the root cause of a problem that you observe – the result of your investigation.

Your vet may diagnose

Retained or undescended testicle in a castrated horse is another term for this condition.

Summary

A typical castration involves the removal of the two testicles as well as the related epididymis (a sperm storage location found close to the testicles). In the case of a gelding in which the horse has been castrated but where all or a portion of a testis remains following castration, the animal is referred to as “proud cut.” Occasionally, this occurs when one testis has not completely descended into the scrotum (cryptorchid) when the castration procedure is carried out. It is deemed immoral and inappropriate to remove only one testicle from a stallion’s genital area.

The majority of proud-cut geldings are sterile.

Once the condition has been identified, surgical excision of the testicular tissue (which is distinct from regular castration) is recommended.

my vet’s role

Other illnesses or ailments that may need to be ruled out by a veterinarian are listed below.

Diagnostics Used

These are tests that may be useful in making a diagnosis or in better characterizing the disease under consideration.

Treatments May Include

These therapies may be utilized to assist in the resolution or improvement of this disease.

PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS

In most cases, surgical excision of the residual testicular tissue will result in a favorable outcome.

my role

When a horse is suffering from this ailment, you could notice the following things.

Skills I Might Need

If my horse is diagnosed with this condition, I may require these abilities. Questions You Should Ask Your Veterinarian:

• How do I know that this isn’t just a recurrence of a behavioral pattern that existed before my horse was castrated
• What are my options, given that I acquired this horse under the impression that he was a gelding
• And

Prevention Your veterinarian should be able to feel both testicles in the scrotum of the horse before castrating it. If they are unable to determine whether or not both testicles are present, they will not castrate the horse at that moment. In certain cases, both testicles are difficult to palpate in young horses, and your veterinarian may recommend that you wait until the testicles have dropped completely before having the castration procedure performed. This is unlikely to occur after the child has reached the age of 18 months.

It is usually necessary to remove the whole testicle and epididymis.

further readingresources

Experts in equine health have written, reviewed, and shared their findings.

Outside Resources

EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION THAT IS TRUSTED CAN BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET. Doug Thal, DVM, Dipl. ABVP is the author of this article.

Horse Community, Horse Pictures, Horse Forum and Information – Horse.community

2manyhorses Posted at 4:21:14 p.m. on June 12, 2009 AMAnyone who informed you what a “proud cut” gelding was doesn’t know what they’re talking about. The misconception has been dispelled thanks to Horsegirl’s efforts to refute it. The testicles are removed during castration, however there is no “sac” in this procedure. Skin protects them and helps to keep them in position. In order to account for behavioral difficulties, there are no hormones produced by the skin. When they remove the testicles, they leave the skin in its original state, and over time, the skin shrinks as a result of this.

A cryptorchid, or crypt for short, is a condition in which one or both testicles are preserved in the abdomen.

The price of going in and removing the remaining testicles might be excessive, so the owner disposes of them at a yard sale to get rid of the problem for good.

He should never be maintained in a herd with other animals.

What is a Proud Cut Horse?

When you wake up one morning, you discover that your horse, who has been castrated, is now mounting a mare. You promptly point the finger at the veterinarian for the insufficient castration that he performed previously. It’s possible that your gelding’s stallion-like behavior is due to something other than his breeding. This article will discuss the causes of unusual behavior in castrated horses, what happens to a proud cut horse, and what to do if you have a cryptorchid stallion on your property.

What is a proud cut horse?

A “proud cut horse” is a word used to describe a gelding horse that has been castrated but still has all or a portion of one testis remaining after the procedure. A proper castration should need the removal of two testicles as well as the related epididymis by the veterinarian. If one testis has not completely descended into the scrotum, this results in partial castration of the other testis. Removing only one testis is considered immoral and unacceptable in today’s society. This is due to the fact that testosterone is still generated in the residual testicular tissue, which causes the proud cut to behave like a stallion.

Why are horses castrated?

Some individuals may consider gelding to be harsh, and they may question why a horse must be castrated in the first place. Horse castration, on the other hand, is intended to restrict reproduction and lessen aggressive temperament in horses. Additionally, horses with weaker lineages will be more likely to be castrated. Geldings, in general, are more simpler to manage and train than mares. Even in the case of horses with excellent bloodlines, castration may be necessary when they become too aggressive to train.

The gelding also aids with the horses’ ability to remain focused on the training. Indeed, a stallion is readily distracted by mares and fillies, making it difficult for him to concentrate on his training. In this situation, it is almost impossible for the racehorse to stay a stallion.

Why there is stallion-like behavior in gelding?

Mounting mares, shrieking at other horses, fighting, erections, and aggressive conduct against people and other animals are all examples of stallion-like behavior in a horse’s repertoire. If the castration is performed properly, it is quite rare that the animal would exhibit stallion-like behavior after being castrated. Because to incomplete castration, a portion of a testis is left in place after the testis has been removed (a proud cut horse). As a result of the horse’s surviving testicles producing testosterone, the horse will begin to behave like a stallion.

If the castration procedure is unsuccessful in removing a testis, the horse will grow up with a stallion-like look on his face.

Despite the fact that his testosterone production has been completely suppressed, he may still exhibit learned behaviors such as mounting mares and hostility.

Can a proud cut horse still breed?

The answer is no, however testosterone is still generated in a proud cut horse, which is a good thing. Because a gelding lacks testicular tissue, testosterone levels in the blood will be extremely low (less than 100 pg/ml). A healthy stallion with two whole testicles typically has blood testosterone levels ranging from 500 to 1,000 pg/ml, and sometimes even higher. Testosterone levels in a cryptorchid stallion are greater than those in an unaffected gelding, but lower than those in an unaffected stallion (often between 100 and 500 pg/ml).

The result is that an unabashedly proud cut horse may entice mares, acquire an erection, and ejaculate, but it is sterile.

What to do with a proud cut horse?

The presence of proud cut horses can raise the danger of medical issues like as testicular tumors and twisting of the spermatic cord, in addition to their stallion-like demeanor. As a result, any residual testicles must be surgically removed. If your horse continues to behave in a stallion-like manner after being gelded, you might request that the veterinarian conduct tests on him. There are several tests performed, including rectum probing of the abdomen, an abdominal ultrasonography, and a hormonal assay.

It is possible to treat your horse using stronger training approaches or by separating him from other horses if the cause of the problem is previously taught behavior.

If the cause for the residual testis is due to partial castration, the testis must be removed either traditional surgery or laparoscopy.

In this situation, immunization against either LHRH or GnRH can be used to temporarily block the male behavior that is generated by hormonal stimulation. These vaccinations, on the other hand, are not commercially available.

Conclusion

It was customary in the past for people to castrate their horses on their own. Nowadays, it is preferable to get assistance from a veterinarian. Ideally, your veterinarian should be able to feel both testicles in the scrotum before castrating your dog. If they are unable to firmly feel both, then the castration should not be performed at that point. It is hoped that all of the castrations will be effective and that there will be no proud cut horse left. Source:

Gelding Behaviour

The Behaviour of GeldingsMark Ethell2020-07-22T08:10:39+10:00 As spring approaches, many animals begin to show symptoms of sexual activity, including birds and reptiles. Our equine pals and their paddock mates are not exempt from the need to reproduce, which may be a source of contention for them and their other horses. In many cases, it is common to hear tales that an usually pleasant gelding has begun to herd his paddock mates, demonstrate hostility against other geldings, and express symptoms of sexual interest towards mares after becoming isolated.

• Rigs that aren’t real Continued stallion-like behavior after castration can be a complication of the procedure.
• Fake rigs can exhibit a variety of macho behaviors ranging from genital probing and shrieking to mounting and even copulating with one another.
• Uncontrolled stallion-like behavior could only be caused by partial castration if there was still some testicular tissue present.
• While figures vary, it has been estimated that over half of all geldings still exhibit significant stallion-like behavior after being gelded.
• An investigation of the incidence of stallion-like behavior in horses castrated before puberty and those castrated after puberty showed no difference between the two groups of horses.
• What are you able to do to help your gelding?
• For example, you may keep him in a separate barn from the rest of the horses.
• Try to take advantage of the naturally occurring social repression of stallion-like behavior by living your gelding in close proximity to one or more stallions in order to see if you can get a better result.
• Whether the cautious treatment fails to provide comfort for your gelding, he should be checked to see if any testicular tissue is still present.

In an attempt to rule out a cryptorchid or partial castration in geldings older than 3 years of age, a simple blood test can be performed on the horse. If you would like to schedule a time for your gelding to be tested, please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Can a proud cut horse be fixed?

The term “proud cut” can refer to gelding a horse after he has been used for breeding purposes, or it can refer to a horse that has been gelded but has had a portion of the epididymis left in place. When it comes to a male horse that has been used for breeding and subsequently gelded, the habits have been learnt and are unlikely to change. Traditionally, the term “proud – cut” refers to a castration procedure in which a portion of the epididymis (a sperm storage site located adjacent to the testicles) is left in the horse’s seat during the castration procedure.

• Also I’d like to know if a gelding can still saddle a mare.
• In order for this to occur, the geldings do not necessarily have to be “proud cut” in appearance.
• Get a blood test done to determine whether he is a “proud cut,” and because of his age, your options for fixing him may be limited, and you will have to keep him with other geldings.
• Do wild horses have inbred lines?
• Wild horses can escape inbreeding by urging their progeny to leave the band.

training the proud cut gelding! UPDATE!

paturninburnin89Reg. Feb 2014	Posted2014-04-178:54 PMSubject:training the proud cut gelding! UPDATE!
VeteranPosts: 160	My sister has a gelding that acts in no way like a gelding. She wants me to get him ready to ride just on trails but i gotta say its quite the job! I round penned him then rode him in there and he would still holler at horses, slightly nervous and not to mention his manhood is out the WHOLE time! So i took him outside of the roundpen to ride and see how he acted.way more nervous, pranced whole time so i did lots of flexing bending and tons of circles. He threw a few bucks and i got after him and he stopped but i feel like this horse never once searched for the RELEASE of pressure.ever.I spent 3 hrs on him and think i had 3 mins all together of his attention. Please help with tips or ideas.Ok so after convincing my sister to call the vet and get a test done she did.results are in.the level of testosterone in a gelding is 5, stallion is 10, my sisters HORSE is 20! THAT EXPLAINS IT LOL! I think he never got cut and must be storing someone else’s up there too! Big surprise he was an Amish horse.mmmh?Edited by paturninburnin89 2014-05-1310:24 PM
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FairweatherReg. Jan 2004	Posted2014-04-179:07 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
Twin Sister to Queen BoobiePosts: 13315Location: East Tennessee but who knows?!	I’m a firm believer that if you can’t get their attention on the ground, you’re not going to get it under saddle – especially a horse that’s as unfocused as he is. I wouldn’t even think about stepping up until he was relaxed and focused on me and not everything else. That’s just part of the foundation of anything you do, IMO.Working on the ground isn’t just about pushing their feet around or wearing them out to get their attention. It’s about seeing how light you can be when you ask for something and see if you can get them towantto give you your attention. Yes, you can move their feet around and wear off some of that energy but don’t get so focused on wearing him out that you forget to look for other signs he’s giving.If a horse is having a hard time looking for a release then I need to look harder at his response and how I’m asking. Sometimes that give is so subtle we don’t see it and that’s where you have to start – where and how they’re giving. And sometimes that means breaking it down even more too.Too, I would get in the mindset of interupting thoughts. When you just feel him starting to think about something else, immediately ask him to do something that requires him to think, not just move forward. Ask him to move sideways or do a half pass. Things like that are much more effective than running around in circles or even just changing directions a lot.It never hurts to look at the turnout and nutrition side of it too. Those can play a big role in a horse being over-active and hard to focus.
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bluerose2001Reg. Mar 2009	Posted2014-04-1710:52 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
Certified Snake WranglerPosts: 1672Location: North MS	Groundwork- I am imagining your horse behaves somewhat like this one(And for $25 you can watch the ENTIRE training session from groundwork to riding on his website). I subscribe to his videos and the difference in the horses is amazing. No product endorsements and he breaks it down even simpler to me than the other clinicians do. But here is the youtube video where he shows the problem – Top↓ Bottom
BamaCanChaserReg. Nov 2012	Posted2014-04-1812:08 AMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
ExpertPosts: 2096Location: Deep South	If he was not ground working well, there’s no need to ride him. If he’s not riding inside the round pen well, there’s no need to ride him outside the round pen. Accomplish one thing before you keep throwing more and more at him. The Warwick Schiller videos posted above are great to watch.
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paturninburnin89Reg. Feb 2014	Posted2014-04-185:55 AMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
VeteranPosts: 160	Thank you everyone!I 110% agree and got a lot of great imput. Like i said its my sisters horse and i wanted to just do groundwork but she really wanted to see how he would do riding. I explained to her when doing it if this was my horse i would easily spend 2 weeks atleast of just groundwork before ever riding him. Im going to check into those videos im always trying to better my skills. I really took to heart the release part.maybe he is releasing and its the slightest try and i have to really look for that tiny piece.
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BibliafarmReg. Jul 2008	Posted2014-04-187:51 AMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
Warmblood with WingsPosts: 27844Location: Florida.	paturninburnin89 – 2014-04-18 6:55 AM Thank you everyone! I 110% agree and got a lot of great imput. Like i said its my sisters horse and i wanted to just do groundwork but she really wanted to see how he would do riding. I explained to her when doing it if this was my horse i would easily spend 2 weeks atleast of just groundwork before ever riding him. Im going to check into those videos im always trying to better my skills. I really took to heart the release part.maybe he is releasing and its the slightest try and i have to really look for that tiny piece.2 weeks is not enough time to get him emotionally where he needs to be. Working energy off is great but it doesnt serve any purpose or tire them out mentally. he needs to work mentally as well. make him focus and by that I mean. mentally listening to you and only you. You can achieve that by working himin a way that makes him think about what he is doing. transitions, suppling, deep. work his hind end. lateral work.trot poles. get him longlining. thinking about what is being asked. working them mentally and slowly and using his muscles will wear him out and make him focus.if you dont know how to longline. get someone that does to help you.also his nutrition is important.Edited by Bibliafarm 2014-04-187:54 AM
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turnedoutReg. Dec 2013	Posted2014-04-181:51 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
VeteranPosts: 264	I feel your pain! I have a young proud cut gelding and our first few months together were a nightmare! Everyone has offered great advice about getting the respect and attention on the ground first, it may take a while but it is vital. Give him a job mentally, not just physically. I had luck with bitting him up and making him go over ground poles and small obstacles. He was too busy paying attention where his feet were that the yelling and goofiness eventually stopped and his attention was on his job.I also use a magnesium supplement to help! There are plenty of good posts on here about magnesium and it helping calm horses down.
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OregonBRReg. Dec 2003	Posted2014-04-182:03 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
ChampPosts: 19623Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm	How do you know he’s “proud cut”?Being proud cut has an actual medical solution. There’s a sack inside the horses body that produces hormones that make them act like a stallion even though their testicles may be gone.Have you had a vet look at this horse? Is he a cryptorchid or monorchid? He may not have been gelded properly which will never be solved without medical intervention.I would start by having the problem taken care so he doesn’t act like a fruitcake. If he’s not proud cut then he is what he is and is not likely to change a great deal unless it’s some other medical problem. You have to get to the root of the problem and get it resolved. Good luck.
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squeekReg. Dec 2006	Posted2014-04-184:40 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
Toy Story FanaticPosts: 4148Location: Oregon	OregonBR – 2014-04-18 12:03 PMHow do you know he’s “proud cut”?Being proud cut has an actual medical solution. There’s a sack inside the horses body that produces hormones that make them act like a stallion even though their testicles may be gone.Have you had a vet look at this horse? Is he a cryptorchid or monorchid? He may not have been gelded properly which will never be solved without medical intervention.I would start by having the problem taken care so he doesn’t act like a fruitcake. If he’s not proud cut then he is what he is and is not likely to change a great deal unless it’s some other medical problem. You have to get to the root of the problem and get it resolved. Good luck. I have a gelding that will act like he is proud cut.He is not.I was present when he was gelded at 3.The vet got all on both sides.testicle, cord and squeeler.INTACT and showed them to me to prove that if he retained some of his behavior it was not because he was proud cut.He is a gentleman around people and never displays those when being handled but out in the pasture you would think he is still a stallion. What everyone above said.Groundwork until you know you have his total respect and attention on the ground.Then move on to riding in the roundpen.Try and explain to your sister that in order to make a good horse it takes time and you want to make him the best horse for her.Good luck!
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OregonBRReg. Dec 2003	Posted2014-04-185:36 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
ChampPosts: 19623Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm	My point was, if he’s just an ass, then he’s not necessarily proud cut.That is a term for a gelding that wasn’t gelded properly.I had a gelding that I know was gelded properly as well. He was just an ass. Can you tell I didn’t like him?
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fatchanceReg. Oct 2003	Posted2014-04-185:42 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
The Original Cyber BartenderLocation: Washington	OregonBR – 2014-04-18 3:36 PMMy point was, if he’s just an ass, then he’s not necessarily proud cut.That is a term for a gelding that wasn’t gelded properly.I had a gelding that I know was gelded properly as well. He was just an ass. Can you tell I didn’t like him?Amen!We had a horse come to us, same deal, he was an idiot.What it took to get his attention was not nice.He was never a horse I would have trusted. But the owner loved him, I loved him when he left.
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HoneymoneyReg. Apr 2012	Posted2014-04-1810:34 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
Fire Ant PeddlerPosts: 2881	Sounds to me like he has your number.Very few if any horses are proud cut nowadays.Sounds to me like he has been allowed to act this way and continues to do it.Too many nice riding horses around to put up with this kind of behavior.Don’t get hurt.It is not worth it.Most stallions that I am around are not allowed to act like this.
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paturninburnin89Reg. Feb 2014	Posted2014-04-195:08 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
VeteranPosts: 160	I think some of you missed the part where I said he IS NOT MY HORSE.hes my sisters. She doesnt keep her horse on my property he is actually alone in a pasture by himself because he will hurt other horses. I was trying to get peoples input on here because there are a ton of very well educated horse women on here:) If i had him I would work him and do it the right way(but then again i probably wouldn’t keep a horse like this around). She wanted me to pretty much do a miracle so she could begin trail riding him and i explained he NEEDS A TON OF WORK AND TIME which she is a total green rider and also lacks the time.I know the difference between silly geldings and proud cut. I have a silly gelding but he is no where near acting like a proud cut. She was told from the people she bought him from that he was a proud cut, he was gelded around 7 or 8 and was used for breeding.not really sure why she bought him but she didnt ask anyones advice just liked how he looked. Thank you for everyone who gave me good tips and helpful advice!I am going to tell her to ask the Vet about it and see if theres something they could do?
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SouthtxponygirlReg. Nov 2006	Posted2014-04-195:39 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
A Somebody to EverybodyPosts: 41200Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas	Yes you need to talk to a good vet and let him know the problem with this horse, and another thing too its even worst to keep them isolated from other horses, this horse has no manners at all it seems, I think I would send him down the road if hes as bad as he sounds, befor one of y’all get hurt.
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cheryl makofkaReg. Jan 2011	Posted2014-04-197:01 PMSubject:RE: training the proud cut gelding!
The Advice GuruPosts: 6419	There is no miracle cure, hard work and determination the horse may come around, but this is not a horse for a green rider.I have rode horses gelded after 10 years, and they didn’t act like dinks.Proud cut is not the term for gelding later on in life, if the horse is truly proud cut, the vet would need to surgically remove what was left.I believe it is quite expensive.If I were in your shoesI would tell the person there was no miracle cure, and that I am not the person for the job(family should never work for family), I would give recommendations of great trainers in the area, and explain to her that it will probably cost anywhere from 1500-2100 to get the horse broke enough where she can jump on and trail ride.I would also tell her if she wants help finding a nice reliable trail horse, I can make a few calls and see if anyone knows of any.
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‘Studdy’ Behavior in Geldings

Because stallions are typically kept only for breeding reasons, many horse owners have little or no familiarity with them or with their sex-related behaviors and characteristics. Our geldings are not expected to exhibit masculine characteristics, as they were castrated primarily to prevent them from displaying such characteristics. However, geldings have been known to behave in a stallions’ manner on occasion, causing trouble, aggravation, and even damage to themselves and others. In this section, we’ll look at some specific traits that stallions exhibit that are neither anticipated or desired in geldings.

What Causes ‘Studdy’ Behavior?

Castration is the process of removing a male horse’s testicles, which are the source of the masculine hormone testosterone. Unfortunately, because colts in utero have extremely high testosterone levels, some of the most damaging consequences of testosterone manifest themselves long before castration is performed. The mare’s pregnancy hormones also stimulate the fetus’ gonads, resulting in the fetus’ testicles secreting a large amount of male hormones, known as androgens. These androgens have an effect on his brain, making it more masculine.

Consequently, as a result of this early influence, many geldings continue to behave like stallions, engaging in behaviors such as displaying the flehmen response (top lip curled up), attempting to breed mares, fighting with other geldings, acting aggressively with humans and/or attacking foals, and/or herding mares.

1. We are baffled as to why these older geldings behave in such a different manner than younger geldings.
2. When mares are present, “stubborn” geldings may force other geldings away from the herd.
3. This can occur when a horse is cryptorchid, which is a condition in which one of the testicles fails to drop into the scrotum completely.
4. The veterinarian performing the gelding process will be aware that one testicle has been kept at the time of the treatment.

If this is the case and the owner wishes to have the situation rectified, a surgeon will have to examine the abdomen for the remaining testicle.

Identifying Stallion Behaviors

Any of the stallion-oriented characteristics listed below, or a mix of them, may be observed in a gelding’s actions and behaviors. Cryptorchidism is a genetic disorder that affects horses. Some of the symptoms are more problematic or hazardous than others, but if you notice any of them in your gelding, you should have him checked for cryptorchidism immediately. Flehmen’s retaliation The stallion takes a deep breath and raises his head, curling his top lip back. By adopting this position, smells are more effectively transferred to thevomeronasal organ, a scent-detecting structure located inside the nasal cavity.

1. Horses of either sexe will exhibit the flehmen reaction under a variety of settings, but it is most prevalent among stallions who are in close proximity to mares.
2. Mares.julianna/stock.adobe.com should not be accessed by “studdy” geldings even if they are only on the fence line.
3. Another stallion-like habit that is completely harmless is the creation of “stud heaps” of dung.
4. Masturbating.
5. Some will even make a thrusting motion with their hands.
6. Furthermore, farriers—and particularly their leather aprons—may have a distinct odor that is similar to that of other horses, particularly mares in heat.
7. Mares in the process of mounting.

Local humans, the targeted mare (and even an embryo in the early stages of pregnancy), and the stallion himself may be injured, especially if he is kicked by the mare while trying to encourage her to accept him.

The display of stallion-like behavior is one of the most typical characteristics among geldings.

He may even exhibit the “snaking” move that stallions employ, with the head low and ears flattened back, which seems to be highly hostile.

Similar to how a wild stallion would battle other males in order to safeguard his mares, a gelding may engage in fights with other geldings in order to keep them away from “his” mares, inflicting injury on any horse he chooses to fight as well as on himself in the process.

Foals are being attacked.

Aggressive behavior when dealing with others.

It is possible that anyone working with or near such a gelding will be bitten, charged with a foreleg, or hit with a foreleg, especially if mares are nearby.

That’s a reference to ‘Studdy.’ Whether a mare shows stallion-like behavior, she should be examined by a veterinarian to see if she has a granulosa cell tumor on one of her ovaries, which might be causing her behavior.

The tumor-bearing ovary can be surgically removed, which should allow the horse to resume her regular behavior.

Managing Troublesome Behaviors

Disputes arising from “studdy” geldings can occur in the barn, in the pasture, in a horse trailer, and at competitive events, with the geldings themselves, other horses and people all at risk of injury. Stable-management strategies and medication are the two most common approaches to dealing with geldings in this situation. Smart management is the most straightforward method of preventing potentially risky activities. Certain stallion-like behaviors, including as the flehmen response and fecal marking, have been shown to be non-lethal in some cases.

• It is best practice to pasture a gelding well away from mares, disallowing fence-line contact with them if at all feasible, in order to prevent him from mounting them, herding or protecting them, or fighting with other geldings.
• When introducing new horses to the farm, especially mares, use caution since this type of social upheaval might cause an otherwise well-behaved gelding to behave in the manner of a stallion.
• If his stall neighbor is a mare, you may want to consider relocating him to a different stall.
• When it becomes impossible to keep the gelding away from mares for any reason, you may choose to have a veterinarian conduct tests to identify whether or not he has cryptorchidism.
• His testosterone levels will decline as a result of this procedure.
• Progesterone, a feminine hormone, has been shown to lessen male-like behavior in some cases.
• Using one or a combination of these strategies should assist you in resolving your problems with a “studdy” gelding while keeping him and everyone else in the vicinity safe and secure.
• From the Horse’s Point of View is a guide to understanding horse behavior and language, as well as tips to help you communicate with your horse more effectively.

Managing a “macho” gelding

Q: My gelding is the herd’s leader, and he takes his responsibility very seriously. He is constantly on the alert, he longs to be with his girls, and he becomes concerned when he is removed from them. Because he is constantly interested in where his ladies are, they are a major source of diversion. Barn- and buddy-sour horses are nothing new to me, but this guy is so bursting with life and enthusiasm that I’m not sure what I’m doing is going to be effective. I’m open to more suggestions, or even just reassurance that I’m on a long, slow road that I’m not alone on.

Pittsboro, North Carolina is a city in North Carolina.

This type of behavior can be observed in a large number of geldings.

He may also be domineering, which means he may demand first access to resources like as food, salt licks, and the run-in before others.

He has, however, taken on the role of a stallion within his own herd, which is a serious problem.

To learn how to understand horse body language, please visit this page.

The unfortunate reality is that one of the most damaging consequences of testosterone occurs long before the colt is castrated, during his development as a foal.

These androgens have an effect on the brain, making it more masculine.

As a result, many geldings retain their stallion-like behavior even after their testosterone supply has been depleted.

They may attempt to breed mares, herd their mares, and engage in combat with other geldings, among other things.

The majority of these “sexy” geldings are still in their twenties.

It’s also possible that your horse was not entirely gelded, which is a small probability.

A popular method of identifying cryptorchids requires obtaining two blood samples: one for the diagnosis and one for confirmation.

If these hormone levels are elevated in the second sample, it is likely that your gelding is actually a cryptorchid stallion, and a surgeon would have to look for and remove the remaining testicle from the belly of the horse.

Training can be beneficial for a horse in this situation, but as you’ve pointed out, it might be tough to overcome his biological limitations.

Smaller farms may not be able to accommodate this.

Cyproheptadine, an anti-androgen medication, might potentially be beneficial.

Houpt, VMD, PhD, DACVB, is a veterinarian.

In the May 2017 edition (476) of EQUUS magazine, this article initially appeared as an article.

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