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My mare is just turned 4 years old and is and Arabianx. She has matured to look less and less arab- but I can't tell "what parts she got" when it comes to physical maturity.
She'll be an all-around ranch/trail horse, but my question applies more to search and rescue- in order to get certified (the horse) they have to be able to do a multitude of things, including jumping (obstacles up to 2').
I know horses mature at different rates, and arabs are supposed to mature slower than other horses- so how can I look at her and tell she can work on it (without hurting herself long term or otherwise)?
I have heard about "knees locking" and whatnot- but dunno how to tell or what to look for, or even if I could tell.
The next certification starts in September for search and rescue, which I would like to do- but don't want to hurt her.
Mind you, this would not be be like training her to be a jumper- it's not that physically daunting- all she has to show is that she'll take whatever in her way with a grain of salt- just push her way forward with or without obstacles, brush, trees, dogs, horses, etc.- and I have the capability of controlling her under any and all circumstances and she'll simply try what I ask. (There are things she HAS to be able to perform- but it's not a show, just has to get it done)
Thanks! PS- she's my avatar. If anyone has any guesses about what she's mixed with- go for it! I know daddy was arabian- if not full, was pretty close to it- and mommy with just a bay mare whom I was told was some kinda not-so-common-breed-around-here-but-not-obscure- like a morgan or something. Neither parent was "paint" but she popped out pinto- and I suspect mom was just a qh/paint who was solid. Mom didn't look any different that the average qh/grade mares that are over bred around here.
She'll be an all-around ranch/trail horse, but my question applies more to search and rescue- in order to get certified (the horse) they have to be able to do a multitude of things, including jumping (obstacles up to 2').
I know horses mature at different rates, and arabs are supposed to mature slower than other horses- so how can I look at her and tell she can work on it (without hurting herself long term or otherwise)?
I have heard about "knees locking" and whatnot- but dunno how to tell or what to look for, or even if I could tell.
The next certification starts in September for search and rescue, which I would like to do- but don't want to hurt her.
Mind you, this would not be be like training her to be a jumper- it's not that physically daunting- all she has to show is that she'll take whatever in her way with a grain of salt- just push her way forward with or without obstacles, brush, trees, dogs, horses, etc.- and I have the capability of controlling her under any and all circumstances and she'll simply try what I ask. (There are things she HAS to be able to perform- but it's not a show, just has to get it done)
Thanks! PS- she's my avatar. If anyone has any guesses about what she's mixed with- go for it! I know daddy was arabian- if not full, was pretty close to it- and mommy with just a bay mare whom I was told was some kinda not-so-common-breed-around-here-but-not-obscure- like a morgan or something. Neither parent was "paint" but she popped out pinto- and I suspect mom was just a qh/paint who was solid. Mom didn't look any different that the average qh/grade mares that are over bred around here.