Introduction: A closed inguinal castration technique was compared with field castrations based on the post-operative (p.o.) inflammatory marker Serum Amyloid A (SAA). Third day p.o. SAA, which has been related to trauma, has been reported after field castrations in four different studies in literature between 500 mg/l and 700 mg/l. These values were compared with SAA values measured on day three after routine castration using a closed inguinal approach applied under general anaesthesia under strict aseptic conditions. Materials and Methods: 51 Male horses were presented for routine castration. Serum was collected pre-operatively and on day 3 post operatively. Castration was performed using a closed inguinal approach in dorsal recumbence under general anaesthesia. The vaginal process was retrieved by blunt dissection over an inguinal skin incision. The closed proximal vaginal process was crushed by a Sand emasculator and ligated at this site. Vaginal Process with content was cut off 10 mm distal to the ligated site. Skin incisions were closed intra cutaneously. Antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs were not applied. Results: 48 horses tested negative (SAA< 3mg/l) pre-operatively. Two ponies and one standardbred showed pre-operative 5mg/l, 7mg/l and 75mg/l respectively. Mean SAA value of all 51 horses, three days post operatively, measured 94mg/l. 27 Horses showed no elevation in SAA (<3mg/l). Only 8 horses showed SAA values >100mg/l, of which 4 horses > 500mg/l, (514mg/l, 747mg/l, 1110 mg/l and 1160 mg/l) possibly related to additional trauma. Excluding these 4 cases results in a mean SAA value of 27mg/l. Conclusion: Castrations, using a closed inguinal approach, in which proper surgical standards can be maintained, proved to be far less traumatic than field castrations.