>>> On a positive note... maybe it is a situation breed-wise where the icelandic temperament is such that chryptorchidism may be tolerable.
Tolerable is a relative thing, and yes, I expect it's as tolerable within this breed as in any. BUT, even Melnir has been quite "tolerable" even as a breeding stallion - but there are still responsibilities in owning him. I can't just put him in any pasture with any mares - not unless I want them bred. I won't risk him coming out of the fence, so fence upkeep is critical for his pasture. I won't put him in a pasture with mixed mares and geldings. I haven't put him with Buck, the min mule, who despite being a gelding, has strong stallion traits. For people who only own geldings, waiting a couple of years to see if the testicles descend fully may not be a huge deal. But if you have other stallions or mares, it could be another matter altogether. >>>> and my experiences with my friend sylvia and her chryptorchid horse, is that biologically when a horse's sperm count is low due to chryptorchidism the hormone glands pump out more and more trying to compensate so the horse gets a sorta hormone overdose. Is he gelded? Does she KNOW he's cryptorchid - did she own him as a baby? I've personally known two crypts for many years, and both are completely docile, sweet and gentle horses - suitable horses for beginners in fact. BUT, they were gelded fully and correctly. Read the stuff on The Horse. I think there are a lot of myths about the conditions, and some people let their expectations become their reality. That doesn't make the surgery any cheaper though - or less risky. >>> My nasi was not chryptorchid, but his "ingual ring" didn't close which they found when he was gelded. I'm pretty sure that still means he was a cryptorchid. I don't mean to be nitpicky, but I think we need to face the music that the condition is rampant in the breed - I've heard too many excuses and I think it's time we face the facts. Here's the definition from The Horse, http://thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=307&nID=7&n=Cryptorchidism&case=2 : >>>A discussion of cryptorchidism in young stallions is fraught with controversy. Everyone agrees on what constitutes cryptorchidism, but that sometimes is as far as agreement goes. We know that the condition involves the retention of one or both testicles in a stallion, either in the abdominal cavity or the inguinal canal. Just exactly why the descent of the testis or testes into the scrotum fails to occur is not definitely known, although there are several theories.<<< According to my vet, Landi qualifies as a cryptorchid, even though we don't know yet where his missing equipment is...They MIGHT descend if I wait another year or two, but that's not convenient at all. He WILL be gelded; it's just a matter of how much it costs and the risks involved. Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
