CASTRATING. 



649 



not the case among Arab horses that are used for riding and 

 driving in India. The fact however remains, that castration has a 

 powerful influence in preventing a colt from becoming heavy in 

 front. If performed too early, it decreases the future development 

 of the forehand too much, and also diminishes the animal's vigour, 

 which fact, as regards working bullocks, is well recognised on the 

 Continent. A long experience of Australian geldings of the Indian 

 remount class, has shown me that many of them are too light in 

 front and are lacking in energy, which fact Veterinary-Surgeon 



Fig. 163. — Drawing a hind leg forward. (Borrowed from Peuch 

 and Toussaint's " Chirurgie Veterinaire. ") 



Desmond has explained to me is due to the Australian custom of 

 castrating ordinary colts at the early age of nine or ten months, so 

 as to prevent them giving trouble at grass. Speaking generally, 

 we may fix the age of castration between one and two years ; and 

 while working within these limits, we should be guided by the state 

 of individual development. 



The testicles of a colt do not usually descend into his scrotum, 

 until he is from six to ten months old (Chauveau). 



Under similar conditions, there seems to be as little danger in 

 castrating an " aged " horse, as a colt ; although the former 

 is, of course, more liable to have his testicles or cord in a 



