ENGLISH TEXTS
riding me in cross-country , has 4 wins in 4 rides . Starts are still tricky , and leaving the parade ring often turns into a spectacle , because yes , I am a diva , and certain racetracks don ' t suit me . Those who lead me to the ring know that every race is a bit of a workout for them , too . My entries are now even more carefully planned , and some efforts , like in hurdles , are now limited . I am the king , but I know my throne is always under threat . I continue to give my all to keep my special place in the field . See you at the end of winter for what ’ s next !
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PEDAGO
� PAGE 96
TO HAVE OR NOT TO HAVE
By Céline Gualde
The Greek philosopher Aristotle already referenced the gelding of horses in his work History of Animals in 343 BCE . Throughout history , with methods ranging from rudimentary to advanced , males have been " gelded ." Why is this procedure performed , and what physiological changes does it bring to the horse ?
If one horse stands out , it would be him — a legendary racer who graced the most mythical tracks worldwide , dominating prestigious international competitions ( at least those open to geldings ). With 67 races from ages 2 to 9 , 22 victories , and nearly € 7,300,000 in earnings , Cirrus des Aigles-trained by Corine Barande- Barbe and owned by Jean-Claude Dupouy-left an indelible mark . Many recall his 2012 Champions Stakes duel against Frankel : the commoner versus the aristocrat . Though Frankel won decisively , the French champion was far from disgraced . In the 2014 Prix Ganay , at 8-years-old , Cirrus faced the unbeaten Trêve . In an epic stretch run , shoulder to shoulder , it was Cirrus who edged ahead for a narrow victory ! Born of humble lineage ( Even Top and Taille de Guêpe by Septième Ciel ), Cirrus was gelded in March of his second year . He lacked the pedigree of a stallion and had behavioral issues-not due to temperament , according to Corine Barande-arbe . " Horses are emotional sponges , and Cirrus was always on alert . The slightest emotion would make him flinch , causing his testicles to retract painfully . On the track , when other horses approached head-on , he ’ d veer sideways — not out of fear ; he was fearless ! His emotions seemed to ‘ tickle ’ his future champion ’ s attributes . During the castration , the vet found his spermatic cords abnormally twisted , not smooth . This explained why emotions caused him discomfort ." Barbe believes male flat racers often suffer genital pain , which may lead to waning performance . Deauville-based trainer Yann Barberot shares , " I ’ ve never found a way for males to race until 8 or 9 years old . Their testicles either cause discomfort as they grow , or the males become hot-tempered or stubborn . In my experience , it ’ s a 100 % occurrence !" For horses without strong pedigrees or exceptional talent to justify a breeding career , Barberot prefers clinical castration :
" It ’ s a quick procedure-open , remove , close . Post-operation , there ’ s a waiting period for anesthetics and anti-inflammatory drugs to clear , but after eight days of walking , the horse can resume training ."
THE ARMY OF GELDINGS An old book written by veterinarian Jérôme Lacoste , " De la castration des chevaux " ( On the Castration of Horses ), published in 1851 , informs us that the French army encouraged breeders to sterilize their foals . In 1835 , the Minister of War ordered the commanders of remount depots to only purchase castrated horses . The author mentions that breeders were initially reluctant , convinced that their horses would ultimately show less strength and development , but the comparison between the growth of castrated and entire foals in their fields eventually reassured them .
Goodbye , Testosterone
Castration removes the testicles or induces their atrophy , halting testosterone production . This steroid hormone is vital for sperm production , has anabolic effects and develops secondary male traits , such as body hair and deepened voice in humans . " Eliminating testosterone reduces unfavorable male traits ," explains breeder-veterinarian Marc Foursin , " such as sexual excitement , though geldings can still experience erections ." The effects of castration typically manifest six weeks post-surgery , according to surgeon Matthieu Cousty from CHVE in Normandy . He notes , " Studies show castration doesn ’ t hinder a horse ’ s skeletal or joint development ." A foal can be gelded as soon as its testicles descend , making the procedure less invasive
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