Very Common
OTHER DIAGNOSES CONSIDERED
Other conditions or ailments that might also need to be ruled out by a vet.
Diagnosis
Conditions or ailments that are the cause of a problem that you see - your observation.
Your vet may diagnose
Proud Cut, Retained Testicular Tissue in Previously Castrated Horse
Synonyms: Retained or Undescended Testicle in a Castrated Horse
Summary
In a normal castration, the two testes and the associated epididymis (sperm storage site located next to the testes) are removed.
A gelding is termed "proud cut" if the horse has been castrated, but all or a part of a testis remains after castration. This can happen when one testis has not fully descended into the scrotum (cryptorchid) when the castration is performed. It is considered unethical and improper to only remove one testicle from a stallion.
In this case, this apparent gelding will typically display stallion-like behavior due to the testosterone produced by the remaining testicular tissue. Proud-cut geldings are usually infertile.
If your vet suspects that your horse has a retained testicle, they will use diagnostics, including the measurement of testosterone in the blood, to determine whether this is the case.
Once diagnosed, surgical removal of the testicular tissue (a different procedure than routine castration) is advised.
Note: Some geldings, particularly those gelded later in life, continue to display stallion-like behavior despite complete removal of all testosterone producing tissues during castration.
A gelding is termed "proud cut" if the horse has been castrated, but all or a part of a testis remains after castration. This can happen when one testis has not fully descended into the scrotum (cryptorchid) when the castration is performed. It is considered unethical and improper to only remove one testicle from a stallion.
In this case, this apparent gelding will typically display stallion-like behavior due to the testosterone produced by the remaining testicular tissue. Proud-cut geldings are usually infertile.
If your vet suspects that your horse has a retained testicle, they will use diagnostics, including the measurement of testosterone in the blood, to determine whether this is the case.
Once diagnosed, surgical removal of the testicular tissue (a different procedure than routine castration) is advised.
Note: Some geldings, particularly those gelded later in life, continue to display stallion-like behavior despite complete removal of all testosterone producing tissues during castration.
my vet's role
Diagnostics Used
These are tests that might be helpful to make this diagnosis or further characterize the condition.
Treatments May Include
These treatments might be used to help resolve or improve this condition.
PROGNOSIS AND RELEVANT FACTORS
The prognosis is good with surgical removal of the remaining testicular tissue.my role
I might observe
You might make these observations when a horse has this condition.
Skills I Might Need
I might need these skills if my horse has this diagnosis.
Questions To Ask Your Vet:
- How do I know this isn't merely a behavioral pattern that persists from before my horse was castrated?
- What is my recourse, since I purchased this horse understanding that he was a gelding?
Prevention
Before castrating a horse, your vet should be able to feel both testes in the scrotum. If they cannot definitively feel both testicles, they will not castrate the horse at that time.
Sometimes, both testes are difficult to palpate in younger horses, and your vet may suggest that you wait to have the castration performed later, after the testicles more fully drop. This is unlikely to occur after 18 months of age. Keep in mind that most colts have two testicles present at birth.
The entire testicle and epididymis must always be removed. Even though the epididymis does not produce testosterone, proper castration removes this structure as well.
further reading & resources
Helpful Terms and Topics
Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
Outside Resources
CREDIBLE EQUINE HEALTH INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET