Holstein traits

[coen]

I have a 5 yr old 16.2 Holstein gelding.
He is incredibly pretty and sweet natured but also very gangly and skinny, e.g. huge shoulders jutting out and can't seem to get any weight on him Also eats like a pig.

I have heard they are slow maturing and wondered if this is true.

I was just curious to see if anyone knew anything about the characteristics of this breed.

 

[BallyshanHorses]

Hi they are very slow to mature and most look fine when they are four.The problem is they usually are very pretty foals and then as yearlings and 2yr olds they go through a really horrible phase,like most horses do I suppose but any we have had are very much on the leg from nine months-3rising 4.Have a look at the photo gallery on my website and look for Ballyshan Solstice and Lux Z colt.The Cobra is very much in proportion but the Lux Z colt is nine months now and you will see how much room there is between the top of his legs and the ground.He will mature to 16.3-17hands though.

www.ballyshanhorses.webs.com

 

[coen]

They are adorable. I can totally see the difference in those two foals.

Maybe my boy is just a late developer I got him in June and he has grown an inch since then.

In your experience at what age do they tend to reach full maturity.

 

[Resupgirl]

Gangly long legs that have a mind of their own, huge shoulders lovely paces, very intelligent and gets up to mischief if you don't keep them occupied! Owned mine since she was a foal and is now 4 still growing at 17hh would not swap her cleverness and temp. but like you said eats for England but very slender.

Has huge ears I should have known she would have to grow into them!

My biggest problem is finding a saddle to fit her long sloping wither huge shoulder have had 3 since she was backed last year. Anyone knows a make that fits this type of horse much appreciated I have tended to stick to dressage saddles but they are not great for a very athletic 4 year old

 

[BallyshanHorses]

Thet can be the funniest type of horse.We have a four year old filly that only started to put up bone rising four and has just about filled out now.They seem to be very intelligent and I absolutely love their movement.I would say yours should start to fill out now but again it depends on his type.He may have more TB blood in him than ours so therefore maybe harder to furnish.

www.ballyshanhorses.webs.com

 

[Resupgirl]

My mare is Landgraf, Liatos x Dick Z Quick Star lines don't know much about this lineage would like to know more. She has so much potential as long as you take it slow and keep it calm and do-able. She really wants to please, but gets cross when I am not being clear with her in the school (I hate schooling but its a must) but out she will carry me past anything as long as I stay relaxed if you get uptight or angry with this type of horse you are on a loser!

They are too clever and learn good or bad very quickly hence take it slow get it right and this mare once learnt will never question. Get in a fight and she will remember til the end of her days! Not to say I back down because thats just as bad I generally tend to ignore most the time and continue with my plan and she forgets. They need lots of positive reinforcement and they will carry you past anything - very brave horses with big hearts.

 

[volatis]

My mare is by Landino and has the power walk, huge shoulders (well most of her is huge). She has a heart of gold but is also very focused! She evented to advanced level and is now out on loan as a (forward going) happy hacker!

 

[coen]

Wow they do sound exactley like my boy.
He is so genuine and brave and really affectionate and intelligent.
Also very cheeky and needs to be occupied. Oh and absolutely loves other horses.
His paces and jump are excellent but can get pretty bored schooling.
It is the nicest breed i have come across and would definitely get another.

I just think he is late developing, dentist came on the wk end and said his canine teeth had only just erupted so hopefully will fill out over the next year.

Saddle wise he is a pain, I can only have vsd or dressage at the mo as his shoulders are too big & high withers.

 

[lollypops]

I have a wonderfull Holstein Brood mare By Lordship,17 hands, she has the most fab temperament, and all her progeny have been superb, they are very late Maturers , and grow up till they are 6ish,are very gangly yearlings two yr olds, but are very genuine, intelligent Horses , with brilliant trainability and minds, they do take there time to grow into themselves , love them as they are so versatile, Ladykiller a fab foundation Line both Dressage and S.J.

 

[cruiseline]

The Holstein has to be my favouite warmblood breed of them all. I will one day have a full herd of Holsteiner mares, one day!!!!!!!!

 

[hedgehog1]

i have one who was very slow to mature, wasnt until she was at the send of her 6th year that she filled out and stopped looking scrawny, although she ate like a right piglet.
character wise she's very genuine, but marish. once you have her on your side she'd do absolutley anything you ask. she loves her job too, they're fab to train.