summer_jackel

Well, the deed is done...little Equinox has been gelded. It was a brief and rather graphically low-tech operation, but the vet was skillful and 2 days later, the poor little guy is a bit swollen, but healing on schedule. Gentle readers of the male persuasion in particular, you may wish never to witness this procedure.

Incidentally, I guess my colt training doesn't completely suck this time 'round, at least by comparison to some. I thought I was in 'remedial fix-your-screw-up' land when I taught him to wear a halter, lead and tie only as a wild and crazy 6 month old (and I still do, but hey, I more or less fixed it). When I made the appointment, the receptionist asked me if "the colt was broke." After I blinked confusedly at the telephone and responded with something like, 'uh, he's not broke to ride since he's only a yearling, but he does tie, lead and stand still,' she decided that she only needed to send the one vet. He called half an hour later with the same question.

Eqx's behavior as I led him to the place where the vet wanted to operate was not what I'd call exemplary control of one's colt, but I thought he was pretty decent. Still, the vet told me he'd been really good and that "most yearlings are assholes." Go me, I may at least have semi-competently trained my horse.

Weirdly, the vet also told me to longue him (horse moves in circles around trainer on end of long lead) at day 4+ because moving helps the swelling go down. I don't plan to train Eqx to longue until he's 2 and I'm sure his knees are fused; I guess the QH/TB people who start colts so young must begin groundwork before 2? That just seems so risky. Anyway, vet said that leading him around the pasture is an acceptable alternative, so I'm doing that.