CASTBATTON.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



[CASTEATIOK. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



CASTRATION, OR GELDING; HERNIA, OR RUPTURE. 



CASTRATION, OR GELDING. 

 The operation of castrating a horse is by the 

 removal of his testicles, when, in technical 

 language, he becomes what is called a gelding. 

 The operation is the cause of the loss, to a 

 cousiderable degree, of that fiery disposition 

 sometimes displayed in the entire animal, or 

 stallion. The geldiug is considered of so 

 much more general use, that few entire horses 

 are kept, except in the racing stud, or by 

 individuals, to breed from. 



The proper time for castrating colts, is 

 when they are about twelve, or from that to 

 eighteen months old; but we have known both 

 testicles, even at that age, not having de- 

 scended into the scrotum. When such is the 

 case, the operation must be delayed a few 

 months longer. Some breeders, according to 

 the custom of their locality, will have their 

 colts cut when they are only about three 

 months old ; but, for all general purposes, we 

 should recommend that colts should not be cut 

 earlier than at twelve months. By this time 

 they are better formed, and it is at a time 

 when they cannot be used for any kind of work. 

 In Yorkshire they do not cut until the 

 animals are three or four years old ; hence the 

 high breed of coach-horses in that county. 

 Breeders there work them until they are 

 nearly four or more years old, then castrate 

 and bring them out at five years fit for the 

 dealer ; and, with the exception of cart-horses, 

 they are the most valuable kind to breed from. 



There is a great difterence in castrating 

 young colts and old horses — the former re- 

 quiring no preparatory means to be employed, 

 in consequence of their having been con- 

 tinually at grass. Not so, however, with old 

 horses, which should be bled, and liave a dose 

 of physic, and be fed on bran mashes for a week 

 before the operation takes place. 



In effecting the operation, the mode of pro- 

 ceeding is to have the horse led out on to 

 some soft straw or loose manure, then the 

 hobbles put on, and the animal cast on his left 

 side. The off hind leg should be secured with 

 242 



the side line, passed through a web collar 

 buckled round the neck, and the line taken 

 round the heel, and again through the collar. 

 Before the operation is commenced, everything 

 should be made perfectly and securely fast, that 

 there may be no possibility of its giving way. 

 Having everything in readiness— such as the 

 smallest scalpel, the clams armed with fresh 

 tow, and a curved needle armed with fine 

 pack-thread, in case of accident — take one of 

 the sacs of the scrotum firmly in the left hand ; 

 then having the scalpel in the right, make a 

 section in the skin in the most depending part 

 of the bag, through tlie integuments, and of 

 sufiicient length for the testicle to protrude. 

 Having accomplished this, lay down the 

 scalpel, grasp the protruded testicle with the 

 right hand, and gently draw back the scrotum 

 witli the other, so as to expose the spermatic 

 cord, on which fasten the clams sufficiently 

 tight to prevent its slipping. All this being 

 done, take the searing-iron, of a dark red heat, 

 and saw the testicle oft'. AVe say saw, because 

 if a saw-like motion is made, the end of the 

 cord becomes cerated, and then requires but 

 little more from the iron. Although in all 

 cases it is necessary to touch the end of the 

 cord again before loosening the clams, to pre- 

 vent bleeding, it is easily accomplished, pro- 

 vided due care is used. The clams may now 

 be gradually loosened; and if blood does not 

 appear, proceed with the other in the same 

 way. Should a little blood escape from the 

 first orifice, do not feel alarmed, for it may be 

 only from the struggling of the horse, which 

 may be permitted now to get up, and let him 

 be placed for a 'ie.'ff days in a barn or out- 

 house. AVhea the horse has been housed, 

 give a diuretic alterative ball, composed of the 

 subjoined ingredients : — 



Cape Aloes .... 3 drachms 



Resin 2 do. 



Form into a ball with soft soap. 



Continue the feed of bran mashes for three 

 or four days, then turn him out. 



We have never found this simple method to 



