A Castration...

Ok folks...  This one is a little graphic.  So if body parts make you squeamish, then avert your eyes. Equestrian centre Quinta do Archino in Ota, Portugal...

This is Alambique (minutes before the surgery) which is an Arabic name that means 'place of distillation'.

Normally, horses are castrated around 3-4 years old...  But Alambique is 7.  One of the most tense moments is getting a massive animal down on the ground gently after the general anaesthetic is administered.

This is a team effort.

The groom, Fernando, keeps his the head still since there is still some movement and twitching...

3 feet are tied together to keep them out of the way...

Paula Tilley DVM, MSc, PhD of the Equine Unit - Large Animal Teaching Hospital in Lisbon, performs the surgery right there on the arena floor.  This older horse is particularly difficult to snip.  That's the second testicle coming off...

Removal complete.

Detail 1

Detail 2

First steps... After the operation site is closed, the horse is up and walking (very tentatively) within about 15 minutes.

Amazing care by the vet...

An equine castration costs 160 Euros and takes about 1 hour total.

Alambique will receive antibiotics for 10 days and wound care plus exercise twice a day for 10-15 minutes.  Within 2 weeks he will be back on his regular training schedule.