Why geld racehorses instead of more benign methods like shadow rolls and blinders to control equine behavior?

Question

Why geld racehorses instead of more benign methods like shadow rolls and blinders to control equine behavior?

Answer 1

Two main reasons.

1.  The stallion reacts more to scent than to sight.  He knows mares - and particularly mares in heat - are around him because of how they smell, not how they look.

2.  Testosterone is a powerful, powerful hormone.  The stallion can be hard - even impossible! - to handle even when there are no mares or other horses around.  Testosterone will drive them to fight to the death for primacy and breeding rights.  If a horse is willing to die for what he wants, it's unlikely "benign" methods will do much to control them.

Gelding is pretty benign, to my mind. Stallions who aren't going to be allowed to breed are often really unhappy.  They cannot satisfy their most basic, primal urge.  Some stallions are more driven than others, of course, but those who are can be dangerous for all concerned.  They're gelded for their own safety, as well as that of people and other horses around them.  

Geldings don't care that they're gelded.  They're content and happy, and no longer have driving needs that can drive them to fight to the death.

Answer 2

Stallions react to smells as well as sight.  Also it makes handing them other than at race time possible. They tend to act stupid when a mare is anywhere in the area. If they are not of breeding quality it is not necessary anyway.

http://www.saferhorseracing.com/gpage17....

Answer 3

because no amount of blinkers or shadow rolls will stop the testosterone. if you cover his eyes he will still know he has balls, but it you cut them off then he forgets all about being horny and he concentrates on training