48 MEMOIR ON THE CASTRATION OF THE HORSE. 
losses. They tell us the Arabians never practise castration, and 
that their horses are in consequence the best in the world ; that in 
Spain the cavalry horses are left entire ; and that in France we 
find uncastrated horses preferable for certain laborious work. These 
facts, however, are not sufficient to rebut the argument in favour of 
the operation*. 
Knowing from experience that the changes castration produces 
in the animal’s organization are more or less conspicuous, and are 
accompanied with more or less advantage according as the opera- 
tion is performed early or late in life, the question becomes raised, 
at what age castration had better be undertaken ? 
The arguments in favour of late castration are — that, when per- 
formed early, time is not given for the development of the croup 
and neck of the animal, nor for the formation of his temperament, 
his powers remaining comparatively weak. The testicles descend 
into the scrotum as early as the fourth or fifth month ; but, if we 
would insure perfect development of frame, they ought not to be 
removed prior to the fourth or fifth year. 
On the other hand it is contended, by the advocates for early 
castration, that the operation is safer at this period of life ; that 
the animal feels the effects of it less ; that he escapes the weakness 
of loins and croup, dejection and disinclination to work, and shrink- 
ing of the muscles of the fore quarters, consequent on the late ope- 
ration. According to them, it is an error to suppose an animal 
will, after being castrated late in life, retain the development the 
possession of his testicles has given him. Not only, says Professor 
Renault, are these developed formations modified by castration, 
rendering the animal less robust, but in consequence of castration 
being performed at a period when the genital functions are in full 
vigour, we expose the animal to greater risks from the operation. 
The way to decide this important question will be to observe the 
effects of castration on the organization of the horse, and to watch 
its operation on colts cut at different ages, so as to be able to 
establish some sort of useful comparison. 
At five years old the horse arrives at adult-hood; the great 
changes educed by puberty have taken place. Under the influ- 
ence of the genital organs, the fore quarters have become much 
developed in comparison with the hind; strength and vigour are 
at their apogee ; the character is formed, and in every part almost 
displays indications of independence and pride, which are very 
* In British India the horses of the lion. Company’s cavalry are all — or 
rather, were wont all to be — entire. Of late, some regiments have been sub- 
mitted to castration ; and it has become a question with the authorities how 
far geldings are, taking all circumstances into consideration, preferable to 
stallions. — Ed. Vet. 
