Do horses get small when they are oap's?

[kerrieberry2]

Just wondering as my mare is 28 and she seems tiny now. Was once 15'2 but I've just measured my 3yr old as 15'3 at the withers and 16'1 at the bum but when they are next to each other he looks like a beast.

So is it possible she has got smaller? Or am I measuring the 3yr old wrong? Though most people put him at about 16hh

Thanks

 

[Costypop]

My old mare certainly lost a few inches, she was height certificated at 15.1hh she is now 14.2 1/2hh still has shoes on too. Bless her

 

[kerrieberry2]

Ok that's great. She does seem tiny now but thought that was coz the boy is so big. Ill measure her tomorrow to see if she has shrunk. She still has front shoes on

 

[Persephone]

My mare was 14.2 but was 13.3 by 30

 

[Kallibear]

Yes, definitely. Their ribcage is just suspended between their front legs in a muscle cradle. As they get older it all sags and stretches so their ribcage drops. Our old 33yr old was 16.1. By the time she died she was 15.2.

 

[fatpiggy]

Yes, they do shrink a fair bit. Vertically and widthwise! A full hand is not unusual. That is why it is so important to check that rugs fit properly as they age. If it gets too deep or loose around the shoulders so that it rubs it isn't doing them any favours.

 

[kerrieberry2]

Cool thanks guys. I'm not going mad then. Her rugs are still a good fit. Got her a new light weight a few weeks ago and tried on at the weekend and it fits well. I did measure her earlier on this yr and she was still 15'2 then but will try again at the weekend.

 

[Megibo]

I never knew this ! Wonder if my 13.3 will end up 12.3?!

 

[poiuytrewq]

How interesting! I always was convinced my pony had shrunk as he got older, never actually measured him but everyone I mentioned it to laughed and pointed out id got a lot taller in the time since I first got him!- Not strictly true as I was in my late 20's when he died and im quite sure had stopped growing long ago