This week TheHorse.com posted an article about illegal horse castrations going on in New Zealand. Not surprisingly, snickers rose from the company’s Production Department as everyone wondered, “Who does that?”
In the article, the local district compliance manager stated, “It has certainly been a veterinarian-only procedure (in New Zealand) for more than 50 years so there are no excuses for anyone being unaware of its status.”
We know that you mostly only see veterinarians performing castrations, but does that mean we really know, and understand, that this is a procedure only to be performed by vets?
In Norway, castrating dogs is frowned upon because they believe it is best practices to have better obedience training of the dog than to use castration as a behavior modification.
In the United States, most cattle and pig farmers perform their own castrations, as well as sheep farmers, using tools such as banding, the emasculator, etc. In North Carolina, it is illegal for anyone (other than a licensed veterinarian) to castrate animals other than male food animals. In Kentucky there are no laws prohibiting individuals from performing castrations on animals they own. Perhaps we need to have something written on paper?
In my collegiate equine science class we were shown exactly how to do castrations–both standing and with the horse lying on the ground. We were instructed how the emasculators worked and where exactly to make the incision.
re: Illegal Horse Castrations in New Zealand
I knew a man years ago who was taught by a local veterinarian how to geld horses. I have since witnessed many castrations and have seen quite a few botched surgeries. All those botched were by veterinarians, not my him. He would not geld a
re: Illegal Horse Castrations in New Zealand
30 years ago my 2 yr colt was castrated by a vet without any medication for pain or antibiotics.. Needless to say he acquired an infection that took weeks to clear up. He always hated men from that day on and took great pleasure in removing
re: Illegal Horse Castrations in New Zealand
My best friends pony was gelded right after she purchased him at auction. The previous owner (and auction organizer)was supposed to get a vet but they threw the animal with leg ropes and cut him with no sedation or pain meds. They used foot powde
re: Illegal Horse Castrations in New Zealand
I forgot to mention that my girlfriend arrived during the procedure (to late to stop it). She said that the sound of her new pony screaming was something she will never get out of her head….