Castration day

He managed to delay the removal of his testicles three times before it was actually done. The first two appointments were scuppered by rain. It was a fairly pathetic drizzle and I felt amused that the vet wouldn't do the operation in such inclement weather - living here in Spain, nothing is done when it rains.The streets are quiet and appointments cancelled as we all marvel and comment on the deluge. To be honest, when it does finally rain here in Mallorca it usually really gushes, pelts, lashes down.

The vet postponed the castration for valid reasons, nothing to do with not wanting to get wet. For when the horse comes round after the sedative, lying down in the field, he could panic and slip when trying to get back on his feet.

The third time I had to cancel the operation due to the UBF pulling a muscle in his neck. Well, I think that's what he did, he couldn't reach the ground to graze but this was quickly remedied with an anti-inflammatory and his hay tied high so he could eat. It did look very alarming though, and after a quick Google I'd convinced myself that he had a spinal cord injury and nothing but a bullet would suffice. I worry. A lot. Of course the next day he was fine.

On the actual day his balls came off the weather was perfect, the UBF was feeling well and the vets were on time. Everything was explained to me and I signed forms in case of injury, death and intestines popping out of the wound - at least I think that's what the vet said, I'm still learning Spanish at snail-like speed. The UBF was sedated very heavily and he crashed to the ground with both vets controlling his fall - the rest of the operation I won't go into, I can imagine some of you crossing your legs already. I covered his eye from the sun and sat on his neck until the sedation started to wear off.

I now had a gelding.