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.
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!
He might, but not all in one year. Good nutrition should let him keep growing for awhile, maybe even 6 inches. My 7 year old ex-rescue grew at least an inch after we got him, asnd yours is only 2
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.
He is 7 - 8 months older than your cutie pie lillie and an inch shorter - that was why I was kinda worried. I'd like to see how tall she is at 27 months.
Oh goodness I don't expect him to grow that much in one year. We were thinking by the time he was 5. I really didn't intend to back him until he was 4 anyways.
The original pict I posted was the day I took him over. I am going out to his trainers tomorrow so will try and get some good recent shots as he has grown a bit and filled in since then.
Considering the fact that he is only 2 he should grow quite a bit more. I got my gelding as a wormy, underfed yearling and he was about 12 hands. He is now coming 4 and has reached 15.1 ish. Don't give up hope, horse can grow up until age 7.
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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?
Another method you might try is measuring from the middle of the fetlock to the point of the elbow and then use the same length of string and start at the elbow and go up toward his withers. It should end up the same length when he is fully grown.
Ya thanks we did that one too and it comes out way higher than his height now (although we havent done that one since summer. I am going to see him again tomorrow so I will remeasure that way.
I just have to tell you how wonderful your guy looks with food and love put into him!
I have a little filly I have yet to measure and wasn't sure how to guesstimate height so this thread has been helpful. Hope you continue to post updates!
I'm going to be the odd one out and say that he probably won't reach 14 3hh. I think you will be lucky if he reaches 14hh. My full blooded QH's hardly go at all past their 3y old year!
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.
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!
lol I was sooo hoping you were going to say that. lol
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