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Gelding covering mares
I have a 13 year old Appaloosa gelding that I have had for a year. He had been used as a stallion previously, but I am not sure how long ago he was gelded. I also have a 4 year old Saddlebred mare, they are pastured together on a daily basis. They are fine together until my mare comes into season. It is then that my gelding show stallion like behavior. He has recently started mounting the mare and breeding her. Is it possible that he will impregnate my mare? I was under the impression that he might still have the behavior but didn't think he could actually breed her.
He is a very polite horse with no aggressive behavior, he has not injured my mare and is a gentleman in all other aspects of training and riding. Please let me know why he still has this behavior.
Thank you, Athena
Hi Athena,
Your gelding's behavior is very commmon for a gelding who was bred fairly often when he was a stallion. He is habituated to the behavior. At his age he will probably continue the behavior throughout his life. If the castration was done professionally and thoroughly, there is no possibility of him getting the mare pregnant. In his mind he is still a stud. So long as his is a gentleman in all ways and does not hurt the mare, they both may enjoy the 'safe sex' experience without a problem.
Sincerely, Franklin