Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #23

12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
12Z. Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End

Q:

I have a question about the colts. When is the decision typically made whether to geld or leave them intact, and what factors go into that decision?

Nancy Schaffer

Tucson, AZ

A:Typically we will never geld a colt before it leaves the farm, either for the sales or to be broken in, unless there is a medical issue involved. We often have a good idea that they may become geldings fairly soon into their training careers though! Some colts are definitely more “studdish” than others.

Buyers usually don’t want to purchase a yearling gelding, as this will often indicate they have a difficult temperament. On top of that, this is a dreamers game—when someone buys a colt they like to think they have a shot at owning a horse that will have a stellar racing career and go on to leave his legacy as a stud.

Photo by Alys Emson/Lane's End
Photo by Alys Emson/Lane’s End
Some of the colts that are headstrong and studdish as yearlings improve once they are in training and they have a job to do. With the horses that don’t settle down, it becomes a question of whether you can get the horse to train and race to his full ability if his mind is not on the game and he’s fractious and difficult to handle. If the answer is no, then often he will be gelded at this point.

The other reason to geld a colt is if they are clearly not going to compete at the levels that would then lead to a career at stud. A gelding is usually easier to handle and deal with on a daily basis. I know a lot of people will say they have had difficult geldings or easy colts, and of course that can be the case but generally it’s easier to have a gelding in the shed row, especially when there are fillies in the barn.

Our Expert

Cooper Sawyer

Yearling Manager, Lane’s End

Cooper was born in Lexington, KY and graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agriculture. He started working with horses in 1997 in the training barn of Al Stall Jr. Before coming to Lane’s End as the Yearling Manager in 2010, he worked at Wimbledon and Mill Ridge Farm.

Reader Interactions

965 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Loved all the comments as much as this informative expert opinion. I remember reading about a large horse who was gelded because the starting gate closed on his backside in just the wrong place. So, that may be a reason, too.

    As long as we’re on this subject, can anyone explain to me about the sutures on the mare’s vagina? That was in the video someone recommended, and she shows that the sutures have been removed from the horse who is about to foal. But why were they put here in the first place, or have I misunderstood? Is this the horse equivalent of a medieval chastity belt? I would think these mares would be cared for so closely that no stallion would get near her except the one she was bred to intentionally.

    Can somebody enlighten me?

    • / Reply

      Ann K,

      It is called a ‘Caslick’ procedure and it is a preventative measure to help keep feces out of the vaginal tract, particularly in TB mares where her vaginal opening tips upwards and is in danger of being soiled by manure.

      Even a small amount of fecal matter can cause damaging infection and result in either the loss of a mare’s reproductive ability or cause her to abort the foal she is carrying.

      It has nothing to do with her being bred by another stallion.

      • / Reply

        And another step…

        Before her due date have those sutures removed! It does help doing this procedure–cutting down on infections and stuff but this is one reason why keeping accurate breeding records is so important.

        This wouldn’t be the case with the Moss’s but many farms have been laxed about this in the past and it causes grave complications.

  2. / Reply

    No, it’s not a chastity “belt.” It is known as a Caslick’s procedure. Some mares have poor external reproductive conformation, and their vulvas are positioned so that they can collect manure (“vulval shelf”). This can lead to infection of their internal reproductive tract and prevent the mare from successfully carrying a foal to term. Stitching the vulva closed prevents contamination of the reproductive tract.

    • / Reply

      Many breeders do not use this procedure as a matter of course on younger mares, rather it is performed on older mares that have lost elasticity and the “sinking” of the vagina could result in bacterial infections.

    • / Reply

      Wow I thought I was seeing things.
      Susan Robinson we have the same name.
      Go figure 2 Zensters with the same exact name.
      I guess I have not seen you post before.
      Just wanted to say hello.
      Sue

  3. / Reply

    Dear Black Caviar fans: Have posted a piece by Gerard Whateley, who wrote the book on the mare, on the other site – don’t want to interrupt the interesting chats on this new blog. Hugs, KathyR.

  4. / Reply

    Dear Zenyen and Sue (and others!): Just love the way I can sit back and soak up the knowledge from Lane’s End and you other folk. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs, KathyR.

  5. / Reply

    dear Kathy lets hope peter moody and the owners listen to Gerald whateleyswise words plus I’d love to see nelly back at ascot!!! good luck and all my love to her tomorrow its like a winters night over here pouring rain gale force winds and freezing cold and its supposed to be spring!!!hugs sheena think12z’s ears are getting bigger so like his mom!!

  6. / Reply

    Thanks for the explanation of the Caslick’s procedure!

    I know the Mosses will pick the name of 12Z when they are comfortable with that. I’ve been thinking, though, that since Bernardini was the name of a famous artist, that perhaps 12Z might be named Cezanne (one of my favorite modern painters). It continues the Z theme from Zenny, but lets 12Z have his own name, too.

    Then again, he might be called Zorro… Or maybe Zoro (which just means “star.”) If he’s a great race horse, it fits, and if he just loves to schmooze instead, then we could say his name is for the marking on his forehead.

  7. / Reply

    Thanks for the great information Cooper.

    Zenny how are you doing? We are expecting some news anytime now.

    12Z you are a big beautiful boy!

    Love
    Linda

  8. / Reply

    dear judy goodnight sweet dreams God bless hugs sheena had news about JT McNamara today whilehis condition remains serious his sedation is being reduced and there is no brain damage difficult to say about the spinal injury only that the vertebral damage is serious keeping him in my prayers sheena

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena:

      Praying for JT. Hope he is as lucky as Eibar Coa was and is able to walk. Love and Hugs, JB

  9. / Reply

    What a dirty boy. He is like mom and enjoys the mud. Glad to see he is still with his chestnut friend. Perhaps someday Lane’s End and his owner will let us know who he is.

    Sleep well and safely all through the night our beloved Queen Z.

  10. / Reply

    Cooper and LE…thank so much for the information. The reasons you gave for most cases where this is done pretty much confirm what I thought but it’s good to have that stated by the experts! Have a great spring.

  11. / Reply

    Thank you Cooper and Alys. Great answer Cooper to a question I have always wondered about too. Alys, another great photo. My first impression when I first saw this new blog was wow! Z12 is absolutely stunning. He is a great looking teenager.

    Dear Zenny I am patiently waiting, pacing and checking here often for any news of you and maybe a baby. I only want a safe, easy delivery for you and a healthy baby. But, I would love to see a filly that looks the spitting image of you. Love you forever my angel.

  12. / Reply

    Thank you so much for keeping us outsiders in the loop and sharing information about Zenyatta and Z12 with us. I do enjoy knowing just a little bit more of what is going on. I do have one question — have they published the estimated due date for Zenyatta’s 2013 foal?

  13. / Reply

    hi Zsters :)
    HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY To Robyn, Lise, Lava Man, and Animal Kingdom!
    lovely poems as always trina :)

    my prayers go out to those who’ve lost loved 1’s -ppl or pets.
    its a rough time i know.
    may god watch over you all & keep you in his care.

    luv, vamp

  14. / Reply

    Wow! I’m finding it very hard to get my head around how grown up our Prince looks! What a commanding presence, and he certainly seems to know where the camera is :-) Thanks to Alys for the photos and to Cooper and everyone else who has provided information on this post. Nice to hear from some of our first class experts. I’ve learned so much in the past year (and have SO far to go yet!).
    Is it spring somewhere? The notion has not quite taken hold here on the north coast. A year ago we were having a spell of 4 days in the 80s (really not a good idea, but how nice it felt). I don’t think I will have to worry about buds coming out too early and then getting frozen this year. Snow today – more expected tonight and tomorrow. UGH!

  15. / Reply

    Hi all I just had time to read all of the most kind words and thoughts you shared about loss and grief. You are the best people on the planet hands down. I must say I liked thinking Dad, Jeff and Brian already know what Z will have and even what color. That did make me smile.
    Thank you all again I love you guys Sue

  16. / Reply

    What a great day here on the blog. Such great discussion of so many questions. We’re one day closer to foaling now. Good night, precious Z and Prince. Sweet dreams. We’re praying you through. Love to all.

  17. / Reply

    This site continues to be a great source of information and just plain good stuff. Thanks LE, the Mosses 12Z and our Zenny.

  18. / Reply

    Is Nelly’s race tonight? or tomorrow ….well no matter …will check with TVG…
    GO NELLY…..RUN LIKE A GIRL!
    …..
    PACE…PACE…PACE…

  19. / Reply

    Great question and answer.
    12Z growing and thanks for the picture(s)

    Like everyone else, I find the site is very informative.

  20. / Reply

    Dear Alys and Lane’s End Team.

    Thank you for another informative answer to Ask The Experts. Alys, I absolutely love that first photo of The Prince. What beautiful eyes he has and he gets more and more handsome as he grows. Thank you again so much. Hugs, JB

  22. / Reply

    Australian stud farm Eliza Park for sale
    By DRF Breeding Staff 03/20/2013 2:20PM
    Eliza Park, one of Australia’s top breeding operations, has been put on the market to be sold.
    The Eastern Australian operation comprises six properties in Victoria and Queensland. Those properties, along with shares and standing rights to 14 stallions, will be sold by public tender through bloodstock auction company William Inglis. Expressions of interest will be called before a closing tender date of April 26.
    “We are delighted to be offering the Eliza Park property and stallion interests for sale,” said Inglis Managing Director Mark Webster. “Eliza Park has been at the forefront of the breeding industry in Victoria for many years and is well placed for future growth with a highly competent team and an excellent portfolio of property and commercial stallions on offer.”
    Among the stallions under the Eliza Park umbrella is Bel Esprit, sire of undefeated champion Black Caviar. Bel Esprit is among ten stallions standing in Victoria. Group 2 winner Written Tycoon is one of four horses standing at the Queensland location.
    In addition to the breeding operation, the Eliza Park Kerrie location in Victoria also features the farm’s racing division, which includes two training tracks.
    “As a third generation breeder, Eliza Park is the culmination of a lifelong ambition, although when starting out I never imagined it would grow to what it is now,” said Lee Fleming, Eliza Park’s principal. “It is with somewhat mixed emotions that I’ve made the decision to offer the stud for tender.
    “I’m immensely proud of Eliza Park’s diversity, its continued growth and its position as one of the nation’s top Thoroughbred operations, but this has been in the planning for some time,” he added. “With all the pieces now in place and the stallions going so well, it really is the optimum time to put Eliza Park on the market and represents a tremendous opportunity for investors.”
    http://www.drf.com/news/australian-stud-farm-eliza-park-sale

  23. / Reply

    Everyone, Please pray for the young Sea Lion Pups that have beached off the coast of California. They are sick and very malnurished. Sure hope some can be saved. Wish all could be saved. So beautiful and precious. They need our prayers badly.

  24. / Reply

    I always wondered about those decisions about gelding colts. I knew about the main reason it was done but this was great additional insight. I also know from personal experience that when gelding takes place too late in life the “studdish” behavior is often too ingrained and still creates periodic behavior problems. So glad these horses are under such wonderful and professional care!

    Thank you Lane’s End for continuing to have members of your staff provide us with such great info and thank you Alys for your always stunning photos.

    Counting down the days……………the “end of March” could be anytime between now and Easter!!!!! Be safe Zenny and know we will all be waiting and watching for the new arrival.

    Love you Z!

  27. / Reply

    Blackstone Farm‏ tweet with PHOTO
    Paddy O’Prado filly. Dam 1/2 to champion El Viento. 2nd dam full sister to the dam of Spun Sugar G1. & Daaher G1.
    https://twitter.com/BlackstoneFarm/status/314934404726284288/photo/1
    Keta Note: You can see the snow falling in this photo

    Paddy O’Prado filly out of Quick Lil Lady. Looks like she looks forward to spring,
    Lexington cold today?
    https://twitter.com/BlackstoneFarm/status/314932971679383554/photo/1
    Keta Note: Someone get that baby a blankie!!

  28. / Reply

    I blink and there is our very own Prince! wow, how his has grown and always the leader and the charmer. My, is he ever so handsome?. He has such presence and always seems so sure of himself. That’s something he got from both parents.

    Thanks Alys for the pics, looks like you knew I was at the end of my endurance and you just saved me. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you.

    To Queen Z, how was your day? hope it was peaceful and full of love. Have a good restful night and the same is wished Prince and little Princess.

    To all my Z nation family, hope your day was Blessed, have a wonderfully restful night and God’s Blessings.
    .

  29. / Reply

    12z be friendly with horse mates and team_z, see apples, if need walk to paddock on long rope, often horse temperament is the same one of team and live conditions at yearling, horses like all around to be still, well and in horse nature, i always let horses to choose when it was possible, zenny and 12z kiss you, love you and horses near

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