Can horses shrink??

[Grey_Arab]

Just wondering whether this is possible or not. My boy is 18 and is registered as being 14.1hh without shoes (as a three year old) when we measured him again he had shrunk to 14hh with shoes???

Is this possible or was there a faulty measuring stick

 

[Ezme]

I don't know but people can so i don't see why not. Years of resiting gravity and a rider. Could also be a faulty stick at either time or they way he's stood.

 

[highlandhart]

Horses can vary from measurement to measurement .Due to the unusual way the scapula attach being tired or hot and lazy can shrink him a bit . Likewise ,scare him or get him revved up he is a bit taller . Also, a fit horse will be taller than the same horse after a long layoff. And no you aren't daft for jumping an Arab !

 

[niagaraduval]

LOL i think my horse has shrunk

 

[Shilasdair]

Well, it depends how long his feet are...and how much muscle/fat over the withers, too.
S

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

My cob was 15hh at his first measurement and 1 year later the biggest the vet could get him was 14.3 and a half inch! And he was 10 and 11 years at the time of measuring

 

[Eira]

If he was measured as a 3yo , it could have been an estimated adult height ?
My NF was passported as 14.2 , he only made 14hh's