--- In [email protected], "Nancy Sturm" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I don't raise horses or dogs, but I had Labrador Retriever Hankie neutered > at a very young age and shortly after read that this can cause a delay in > the closing of the growth plates resulting in a taller dog. I haven't a > clue if it's true, but he is a very tall dog.
In humans the closing of the growth plates is governed by the hormones of sexual maturity. Precocious sexuality ie abnormally early puberty (caused by tumors) definitely stunts growth in humans. In some ancient 'civilisations' men were castrated young to produce guards called eunuchs because they were tall. I think you have to get the timing just right. I don't know if there would be problems with bone structure or balance in a horse castrated young. I would be a bit suspicious. There must be a reason why nature has everything so precisely timed for survival of the fittest. Sue, Lincs UK
