Baffled by foal's height

[zaraanne]

Hi,

I admit I am possibly being a tad paranoid, but this is the 1st foal I have bred myself. My question is... Foal is 8 months old, and he measures 14.1hh on his croup and 13.2 on his wither. To my inexperienced mind, that seems very tall from parents who stand at 15.1 (Sire), and 15.3 (Dam). I know the height could be a genetic throwback, but I have looked into this and none of his relatives (back 4 generations) stood above 16.0hh.

He's fed half a scoop (standered round scoop) of Alfa A Oil, and a quarter of the same scoop of Suregrow twice daily, ad lib hay and limited grass (due to current poor grazing). I am concerned that he is growing at a faster rate than perhaps he should be. I've included a link to a pic taken yesterday. Could someone please advise on whether or not he looks to heavy/big/completely normal. As I said, perhaps I'm worrying to much, but would rather be safe than sorry.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=25...mp;id=613509632

and

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=25...mp;id=613509632

Many thanks

 

[arwenplusone]

hmm... I would say he'll make 15.3/16hh ish.
Just because none of his ancestors are tall, doesn't mean he won't be - it just reduces his chances.

I can't view the photos.

If it helps, my 08 Foal is 14.3/15hh and is to make 16.3

 

[Brenjack]

If it's any consolation - I'm in the same boat except mare and stallion are only 14.2hh !!!. Filly is about 14hh behind and 13.2hh in front and is only 7.5 months old.

She arrived large and has stayed tall ever since. I reckon she'll make about 16 or so hands. I only wanted to breed something about 14.2/15h. You just never can tell what you're going to get.

 

[zaraanne]

Thanks for the replies, I guess its its up to the higher power at the end of the day lol (especially in your case Brenjack... lol.)

I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[CBFan]

I'm afraid you really can't tell much by those photos - really need some of him stood still, from the front and sides!!

He does sound quite big considering his parentage but it could be a throwback...

On the other hand it would be an idea to keep an eye on his joints for any signs of puffiness - a textbook sign of any growth related problems, and if you are at all concerned it might be worth reducing his protein intake. swap the alfa a for hi fi lite (alfa alfa based diets are a common contributing factor to growth problems) and even taking him off the suregrow and putting him on a broad spec vit and min supplement might be beneficial. Not sure of his breeding but it is worth baring in mind that Warmbloods are particularly prone to such growth related problems. Not sure of the feeding recomendations of the suregrow but halfa round scoop twice a day sounds like quite a lot... I know most balancers are meant to be carefully weighed or measured according to the horse's weight. might be worth double checking this...

my vet advised that ad-lib hay alone is perfectly adequate for growing younsters in this country as our grass is so rich compared to the US and AUS where a lot of the research that feed balancers are based on comes from...

If you are at all worried, get a vet to have a look at him next time there's one around...

 

[zaraanne]

Thankyou CB Fan. I've included a photo from the side. He's actually 3/4 TB and 1/4 Irish Draught. The sure grow is only 1/2 a scoop per day divided into 2 feeds. We had the vet on the yard today, and she said his joints are fine, although he could be a touch lighter.

8 months http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/photo.php?pid=1390825&id=613509632

and

4 months http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54531&id=612116092#/photo.php?pid=1959154&id=612116092

Re: Vit and min supplement as an alternative to suregrow, what would you suggest??? Sorry for my ignorance, but I would be rather educated than do the wrong thing at such a crucial time in his development. Thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[CBFan]

Hiya!

Can't see the pics at the moment - my browser keeps freezing but going on your vets thoughts I'd be inclined to swap the Alfa a for hi-fi lite which should help him become that 'touch lighter' I alway prefer to be able to see a rib or two on a baby than have them well covered...

As for the vit and min supplement instead of the suregrow, that is completely up to you. Many a foal has been fed it and been fine and some might say if it aint broke don't try to fix it but it might be worth you looking at NAF youngstock supplement or just a regular feed supplement like equivite or indeed a stable lick would also suffice. We are a bit obsessed in this day and age of feeding 'recomended levels' of this and that when in reality, good quality forrage will do just fine.

Don't stress about it... god, I didn't know much of the stuff that I told you earlier, before it all went wrong for my filly - hindsight is a wonderful thing but I often wonder if it would have made a lot of difference to my girl anyway...