Growing youngsters - what age did yours stop?

[ShadowFlame]

Purely out of interest, I know there's a few threads out there in regards to what age horses stop growing, but I'm asking for personal experience - what age did YOUR horse stop, and what breed are they?

As a sidenote, how common is it for them to remain "downhill" all their lives? Do the majority level out, even if they are downhill at, say, 5 or 6?

 

[McW]

TB, still growing at 5years 5months. He's grown from 15.3 to 16.1 and a bit since I got him in Feb.

 

[Maesfen]

It's hard to quantify as there are so many variations on how well (or not) it's been done as a youngster, living conditions, workload, nutrition, breeding (whether there are large or small back in the pedigree which it might throw back to) breed or mixture of, etc.,
On average, a big breed/type will mature later in life than a pony. Some IDs or warmbloods can go on maturing until they're 7 or more although they've usually got to height by about 6 years and then just flush their frame out. This is why it's so important to not rush or push a youngster too hard too long when young as you don't want to stress a still growing body.
The old maxim of not asking a boy to do a man's work applies equally to horses especially if you want them to have a healthy working life.

Sorry, downhill bit: they do usually come level eventually and those that don't very often have a poor shoulder/front limbs conformation which makes it look and feel worse. My suggestion would be for turn out on very varied terrain so that should help to strengthen everything up naturally; there is no schooling cure for something downhill as far as I know although it obviously helps if it is well balanced; by giving natural turnout you are giving it every chance to come right without the pressure of a rider.

 

[Coldfeet!]

We all know there are variables as the other poster says but if its personal experience you want:

Mine is a rising 4 Section D, was 14.1hh and very weedy in january this year, he is now 14.1 and a half and has gone bum high. He has finally started to bulk out a bit except his chest is still narrow and I expect him to finish at about 14.2hh but he may surpise me and grow bigger but I doubt it! Im hoping he carries on maturing and widening as this would make all the difference!

No idea about down hill sorry! x

 

[Goldenstar]

The most unusual one I had was a WB that I bought very cheaply at three and bit standing fifteen hands as it was assumed he was not going to make his expected size, from the day he arrived with us he grew until he finished aged seven at 17.1 it was assumed that a virus he had as a youngster had interferrred with his growth pattern and it took him some time to get over it.
He did not look scraggy and immature when purchased the opposite in fact I had to sell him he was just to big for me at that time.
My six year old TB had a growth spurt in January and a little more in the summer I hope he's finished now.

 

[Rupert-the-bear]

My NF has only just stopped growing and he is 8 this year!!

 

[Luci07]

Croup high is not that uncommon in youngsters and normally evens out. I wouldn't worry too much unless the horse was really croup high and say nearly 6!. Mine is ISH (tb stallion x ID mare) looking at his dams breeding he has some of the heavier ID stallions there too. He has gone from just over 16.1 in April to just clipping the stick at 16.3 atm. He keeps growing in fits and starts so has been slightly croup high at various parts of the year. Think he will finish off as a 16.3 and then bulk a little more. We have factored in the snow for his break this year !