I've written about gelding scars before on my business socials, but it is a subject that I am passionate about, and I feel it does not get the attention it deserves. Castration is one of the most standard procedures in the equestrian world. It is certainly the most invasive of regular horse husbandry, and yet, because it is so common, it is rarely given the reverence that such an operation should.
An operation, of any kind, is registered as trauma by the body. The body doesn't know the difference between a laceration purposefully caused in a controlled environment, and one that happens in a paddock accident. The response is the same, triggering the immune system, inflammation, clotting, and rebuilding of tissue (healing). Some tissues in the body are very good at rebuilding themselves. Liver cells for example are great at creating more liver cells. However striated muscle, ligaments and tendons are not. They are considered among the worst at repairing, because they don't rebuild lost cells very well, but instead fill the gaps with fibrous collagen (scarring).
This tissue is not very flexible or elastic. It is also not very precise in its building process. During the healing, scar tissue may cause adhesions to surrounding structures. This can sometimes be to create greater stability to a wound site, though sometimes it has no purpose that we know of.
When a colt or stallion is gelded the healing process is exactly the same as any other injury or operation. The body will put down scar tissue on any structures that were damaged. Beyond the surface layer of the skin, this also includes the ligaments, spermatic cord and cremaster muscle. Scar tissue forming on these, may also form adhesions to surround structures including the inguinal ring, the sheath and the abdominal wall. As you can imagine this can make for very painful restrictions.
So, what are the signs your gelding might be affected by his gelding scar?
- Recurring lumbar pain
- Difficultly tracking up and using their hind end (both hind legs moving together in the canter, consistency cross cantering one-way etc)
- Reluctance to move forward or perform transitions
- Mild and / or intermittent hind lameness with no other cause
- Straining during urination
- Inability to collect
- Standing tucked up under themselves
Now all of these can be caused by other problems as well, but the next time your gelding is getting bodywork, ask if your bodyworker knows about gelding scars and if they can check for restrictions. You would be surprised how much difference this can make.