Excellent article regarding skeletal growth and maturity

Wasn't sure where to put this - it would also fit under training as it address what can happen when horses are started too young.

Anyway - it is an article by Dr. Deb Bennet. I just read it through and it was a really good read, and confirmed a lot of what I believed.

Mainly geared toward racehorses but the knowledge is applicable to any breed - it also dispels the myth that some breeds mature faster/slower.

http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_..._2008_pdf1.pdf

Thank you...very nice information! I'm tempted to send this to some people who wanted to ride their 2 yr. Olds JUST because they were 2 yrs. Old...it's been done for years, right, so it's safe and the horse is mature? *give me a break!*

Great article, thanks for sharing. However for future reference articles such as this one are capable of triggering a severe anti-racing industry rant from me in relation to starting racehorses too young and then working them into the ground before they have even finished maturing.

I especially liked the statement that up to 90% of illegal drugs and training practices would be eliminated if two year olds were not raced. OF COURSE THEY HAVE TO GIVE THEM GROWTH HORMONES AND SUPPLEMENTS, THEY ARE BABIES FOR GOODNESS SAKES!!! Racehorses are lucky if they are retired sound by age 5, unfortunately many are not and do not find good homes once their shortlived racing careers are over.

You were warned.

I read a similar article after getting my OTTB who had been raced from ages 2 to 4. Thankfully he's sound and capable of doing whatever we want. Wish all former racers were so lucky. The whole "that breed matures faster" thing does drive me batty. I just bite my lip until it bleeds.

I find it absolutely fascinating that the racehorse Zenyatta wasn't raced until she was 3 and 1/2 years old - November of her 3 year old year. She's broken all sorts of records, won all 18 of her races (16 of them Grade I Stakes races), and beaten I believe THREE Kentucky Derby winning colts?

She broke the world record for consecutive Grade I wins on August 7, 2010 at the ripe old age of 6 which is virtually unheard of in racehorses unless they're cheap claimers and they win enough to make it worth not shipping them.

Definitely making me sit up and notice and cross my fingers that maybe we FINALLY have our ambassador to the goodness of letting FOALS BE FOALS!