62 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



THE GELDING OR EMASCULATION OF COLTS. 



Bi/ David WHsoi. 



In travelling through Victoria I have found that many -farmers 

 when they have colts to be gelded look upon the operation as a 

 matter of anxiety, because they are afraid of abnormal swelling, or 

 perhaps, death taking place. Under the old system of castration, and 

 searing, there is no doubt that horse-owners had grounds to be anxious 

 about results, but I do not think that the searing-iron was the sole 

 cause, unless unskillfully used. In my opinion, the blame, very often, 

 rested with the horse-owners themselves, because, as a general rule, 

 they did not give the colts any preparation before the operation. The 

 animals were brought straight out of the paddocks, thrown, and 

 castrated, when their stomachs were full of food ; in that condition 

 they consequently hurt themselves by straining, became sick and 

 distressed, and that was the main reason why the results in many 

 instances were not satisfactory. 



It has been proved, in Victoria, during the past year that searing 

 the arteries is quite unnecessary. In unskilful hands the searing iron 

 is an implement of torture, and, even when used with judgment, is a 

 severe shock to the nervous system of the animal, causing unnecessary 

 distress. The system of emasculation without searing is in general use 

 in America ; all the gelding of domestic animals, horses, cattle, rams, 

 dogs and cats is done with the emasculator without searing. During 

 the past year I have, by request of the various Agricultural Societies 

 under whose auspices I have been working, given a series of practical 

 exhibitions of castrating colts and stallions without searing. 134 

 exhibitions have been given, 410 colts, including 40 stallions, have 

 been gelded; the instruments used being "Kendall's Emasculator" 

 and the " American Emasculator." All the stallions were operated on 

 with " Kendall's " instrument, as I consider it the safest for them. The 

 results have been very satisfactory indeed, the animals showing little 

 distress, and in only a few cases has any swelling occurred ; the owners 

 express great satisfaction with the method. 



The Preparation of the Subjects. 



For colts in ordinary health and condition all that is required is to 

 have them empty of food, they must be kept in a bare paddock, or 

 yard, without food all night before being operated on, and be turned 

 out into their usual paddock when gelded. Stallions, especially if 

 stabled-fed, should be reduced in condition, and prepared for several 

 days before the operation, by giving them bran mashes, greenstuff, 

 or other laxatives, and also get them used to being turned out at nights. 

 The best time of the year to geld them is when they are out of season, 

 during mild weather in the autumn or winter. They should be empty 

 of food when operated on, and when gelded turn them out into a 



