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Will he grow?

11K views 92 replies 21 participants last post by  KatCashen 
#1 ·
OK I adopted Hunter in July 09. He was almost 2 years old and wasn't being fed properly for his age. He was very ribby and had no muscles. I don't know much about his first 18 months as he was originally purchased at an auction. I do know from last Dec until July he was in a paddock with a bunch of other horses and had to fight for his food. He has gained weight and grown since I got him. He has also been gelded and had hernia surgery so has been through a lot in the last 6 months.

He was at his first day at the trainers yesterday and we sticked him at 13.1.
We know he is a qh/cross but not sure with what. Was told pintaloosa, we think maybe arab or welsh mountain pony. Anyways, we did the string test and also measured from middle of the knee to the coronet and he came out at 14.3. Is it possible for him to grow that much. My trainer thinks so but I am not sure. Just interested in some other opinions.

Thanks
 

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#2 ·
Personally, I would not want him to grow that much! 6 inches in a year is a lot. He should just grow at a normal rate for his age if his nutrition is kept up.
In my experience at least, the horse will grow at a normal growth rate when it has adequate food and when it doesn't it will grow at a below normal rate. It is very very difficult to make a horse grow faster than normal.
This is why wild horses are small!

Good luck!!
 
#4 · (Edited)
I don't know if it helps...but I did the string test on my filly Lillie. It said she should be about the same...14.2-14.3. She's 20 months old and I think I measured her at 13.2.

So it sounds to me that even though he fought for his food and such, that he seems to still be on track with other horses his age. Btw..I adore his coloring.

Not the greatest picture for comparison..but the most recent one I have.

 
#8 ·
I can't wait to see the recent photos!!
 
#12 ·
Like everyone else, I believe he will grow. Especially because of the malnutrition, he may be stunted a bit but should grow more. He could grow until he's 5 or 6. Heck, my TB cross mare grew until she was 7!
 
#13 ·
my mare was 5 when I got her 6 months ago and hadn't had proper nutrition and hadn't been worked. Textbooks say she'd stop growing by then, but once I started her on a proper diet and training schedule she grew from 15 to 15.3. She grew like a see saw, her rump was so high it was very discernable.
 
#14 ·
wow thanks you guys. I have always been hopeful but I guess I just needed some backup. I have been researching this and a lot of people say they are almost their full height by now. But I know he will grow :0) I won't give up on my lil man
 
#17 ·
Wow, his coloring is absolutely gorgeous. I love those darker palominos. It woudn't suprise me at all if he gets to 14.3. He is still pretty much a baby and has several more years of growing to do. My bay mustang shot up another 2 inches in height (from 14 to 14.2) after I started riding him the fall of his 5 year old year. Just keep him on good balanced feed and give him time to reach his potential.
 
#18 · (Edited)
Yah! An update! He's absolutely GORGEOUS! He really does look like he has the same size/stature as my Lillie. Have you tried the measuring method (measuring from the middle of the knee to the coronet band)? They say one inch = 1 hand in height. I'd love to know what his measures. I'll throw a recent picture of Lillie on here for you to compare. She's 21 months.



Ps. I just think he and Lillie are going to be late bloomers when it comes to height.
 
#21 · (Edited)
Yah! An update! He's absolutely GORGEOUS! He really does look like he has the same size/stature as my Lillie. Have you tried the measuring method (measuring from the middle of the knee to the coronet band)? They say one inch = 1 hand in height. I'd love to know what his measures. I'll throw a recent picture of Lillie on here for you to compare. She's 21 months.

Wow how tall is she in that pict? The ones of Hunter were last Sat and he is either 2 and a half or 2 months younger than that. Although we are not entirely sure of his actual age. I have done the knee to coronet test and he measures at 14.3 so here hoping lol..

Its funny but 5 months ago he was really shaped like your cute little Lillie and now he has filled out some and of course grown. they will. What does she measure out to?
 
#20 ·
I hope my Lyric is that dark of a color when she sheds her baby coat! :)
 
#29 ·
What are your plans for your little guy?
 
#30 ·
Well I'm not sure, mostly just pleasure. I just felt so sorry for him that he needed a good home and some luvin. He was at the trainers at the beginning of Jan but had to come back temporarily, long story.

He will be going back in the next few weeks for a month. Some basic ground manners - he is being the terrible twos teenager and she will get him used to saddle/bridle etc but I dont plan to back him at least until summer (if then).

He was funny when he was at the trainers he made friends with a miniature donkey - I guess cus he was bigger than it lol. It followed him everywhere, I will get picts when he goes back.
 
#31 ·
Aww..I'm going to miss not seeing updates! I was just thinking of him earlier today but couldn't remember where your post was located! Good luck and don't forget to post pictures and updates when you can! I can't wait to see how amazing he looks this spring/summer!
 
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