Growth rate help!

[juliehannah58]

Just wondering what people's opinions are on growth rate in youngsters, as our youngster who is in her third year going on her teeth and info we have been told(don't know exact dates) is still sooooo croup high! I would say there is about 2-3 inches difference, I almost want to put a yellow pages under her front legs to level her up! She's in good condition etc although was a bit poor when we bought her in Feb 2006. Here's some pics:

As you can see she still looks quite leggy. Main reason for asking is that we are starting to do some work with her, no ridden work but she has worn full tack and we hope to start long reining lessons with her once a fortnight from next week, with a view to backing her in September. I’m starting to worry about whether she will be level by the time we wanted to start backing her – is it advisable to continue backing her if she hasn’t sprouted in front yet? I don’t want to do any damage to her! Vet has confirmed she is in her third year by her teeth (both adult front teeth fully through now)….

My friend had a similar type horse (heavy x TB) who continued growing until she was 5 and she said she was always bum high until then.

Opinions please!

 

[AmyMay]

We have a 5 year old on the place who is still growning - we recon he'll be 7 when he's finished.........

 

[juliehannah58]

AmyMay – would you back a horse who was still levelling up, or wait until they’d finished?

 

[mollymurphy]

We've had one of our mares since she was 3 and very bum-high. We were told she'd grow into it, but she never has - she's now 8, and is 15.2 at the withers and 16h at her bum!! Some people i know call it a "jumpers bum", and boy can she jump!! Yours is still only a babby yet though, so will probably grow into his - we were just unlucky! I dont see what harm it could do if you were to back him while he's bum high.

 

[juliehannah58]

LOL! Well we know she can jump, little b*gger jumped over a 5' metal partition with two strides either side

 

[Evil_Cookie]

According to my mares passport and her current hieght, she grew a whole hand in her fifth year...

And her chest has deffinately widened recently too, she's rising six now, she's had a foal so has only just been backed, but I'm quite happy as at least I'm not doing any damage... The last time I brought on a youngster, he was three and had been just backed before I'd had him, he got splints before his fourth year, which was worrying...

Heavier breeds mature slower than hot bloods like tb's...

 

[juliehannah58]

The funniest thing is that she's grow 9inches in LENGTH in 15 months!! LOL, I think she's been concentrating on getting longer, now the height has to catch up!

She’d only be hacking out once or twice a week until next Spring time, as I don’t have time during the winter for another one. I can’t see she’s going to have a very strenuous life as her main job will be a happy hacker for my nervous mum hopefully, but likewise I don’t want to be squashing her soft bones! LOL.

 

[AmyMay]

[ QUOTE ]
AmyMay – would you back a horse who was still levelling up, or wait until they’d finished?

[/ QUOTE ]
It's backed and been away to 'school' for a week or so. Been back in the field 'growing' since feb. About to go away again for the rest of the season. However, he is 5 now. But was backed at 3 and turned away till 4. Back in at 4, sat on for a fortnight - turned away again to carry on maturing.

Some just take longer than others.

 

[harrihjc]

Mine has (according to passport) grown a hand in the last year, he's just turned 5. Think he's pretty much stopped getting taller now, and just filling out

 

[Theresa_F]

Chancer is rising 3 and his bum is still about 1 1/2" higher than the front but he has been like a see saw since I have had him.

I did back him when he was level but then reverted to ground work when he went bum high. My physio said it can be uncomfortable for them if they are really uneven. I am just about to start short hacks and very short walk and trot sessions in the school but no real schooling until he is older.

My Hann x TB grew nearly 4" between 5 and 6 1/2.

 

[hollyzippo]

There was a paper published saying most native or cross breeds grow until 8! Can be longer- and vertebrae still grow outwards up til 8 or so- please remember that when fitting tack etc

 

[annie02]

I started my 3 year old this year, he is a pretty level horse but is growing a lot. I did 60 days and now he gets till the fall or winter off depending on his growth.

Personaly I dont think that backing them when they are a little bum high is bad. That is IF you dont work them to hard. Walking and getting them used to someone on them is ok but if you try trotting or more and they trip or unwilling it could be because it is difficult for them. I dont think that giving them something to develop their mind is bad. There is lots you can do at a walk. Let the horse tell you.

Saying that I start mine at 3 and then give them their 3 year old summer off and start them again in the fall/winter depending on the horse. I give them another couple of months in their 4 yr old year off again to grow and play.

It all depends on the horse.

 

[amandaco2]

the heavier horses take much longer to stop growing than the hot blooded ones.
for a normal backing i would say it would make much difference. you may be as well to turn her away to mature after though.