I know male horses don’t normally have nipples…but has anyone ever seen a gelding with mammary glands?
New horse to my barn: initially assumed it was a swollen sheath, but upon closer experience I don’t think it is, as his sheath looks pretty normal and is slightly in front/between the two boobies. Swelling does not go down with exercise, but does warm up. The “nipples” point forward and out just like a mare ready to start lactating.
Just curious if anyone has seen this before.
Are they possibly castration scars? Can’t think of a horse I’ve seen anything like that on, but quite a few steers that look that way.
Hermaphrodite?
I wonder if he could have Klinefelter syndrome? Would love an update if you ask your vet or go the genetic testing route!
XXY genotype - there’s not much info on horses with the condition outside this link (https://www.vetstream.com/treat/equis/diseases/reproduction-gonadal-dysgenesis) and another paper suggesting that often it’s not detected until a phenotypic male appears infertile at puberty.
I’ve seen a few geldings like that over the years.
Most other male mammals have nipples, really kind of weird horses don’t. Vets have just shrugged and say “it happens,” and at least one called it a throw back to a more primitive horse? I don’t think anyone really pursued karyotying or anything.
That is really interesting! I wish I could find more information on it, but I will see if my vet knows more!
Male donkeys often have nipples on their sheath. All three of mine do. I’d agree with Simkie about the primitive throwback thing
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