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Im worried about my stallion, breeders/vets help2007-11-24 21:17:41

Is it normal for testicles and prepuce to be cold?? and What is a good site to look at glands on a horse? I'm worried that maybe my stallion is getting sick, i only want answers from people who know what they are talking about, ive been a breeder for 5 years but this is a first for me

Answers:

The testes should be several degrees cooler than the body because sperm cannot survive at the higher body temperature - same with men. That's why they are on the outside of the body.

Check the glands under the jaw bone where you would feel for pulse and you would have noticeable soft swelling under there if his glands were up. Take his temperature if you are worried but I think everything sounds normal.

If you notice swelling on the testes and the horse shows symptoms of colic, call a vet ASAP as that could be a torsion which means that the testes have twisted inside the scrotum. It's life threatening (for future reference).

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Yes, the testicles should be cool to the touch in hotter weather, hanging longer from the body. In cold weather, they will "suck up" closer to the body. This regulates the temperature of the sperm, which can only survive and be active/strong swimmers for breeding---at a certain temperature (2-8 degrees cooler than body temp.) So, as odd as it may seem, that is a good sign in your horse.

As far as finding glands in a horse, it would depend on which gland you are looking for. Glands are not usually found close to the surface, except, the testicles on the horse. Did you mean lymph nodes? Take your horses' temperature if you are concerned, it should be right around 99.8-101.3 degrees. As long as his temp. is normal an his vital signs are goo, and he is eating---you are probably ok.