How big will my little mare get?

[HackWithMe]

So, where do I start. A few months back I adopted from rspca a ‘rising 2’ trotter?? dark bay mare. Absolutely beautiful lovely paces, incredible temperament nothing more I could ask for really. I bought her to produce for my niece to ride in a few years time, while as she’s backed she can learn to properly ride elsewhere (a riding school). So my problem is, I got the dentist out -a very experienced one worked across the world for top riders- out to look at her teeth. I didn’t have any concerns just wanted a once over and age estimate. So cut to the chase she’s 5. Got full set of teeth ridges and back teeth. But she was from a welfare case where she was malnourished and full off lice. She was seen by two vets at the centre and both said she was 1 going on 2. She’s extremely dainty, very flimsy, unbalanced and foal like, she also has attempted to nurse from a ex broad mare (hasn’t had a foal in years and didn’t let her suckle either). Winnie lives in a herd of 9 and got kicked quite badly during the herd initiation anyway we got the vet out and got it cleaned etc and is now fine. The vet even said she’s 1, farriers have looked at her said the same. But I guess the teeth can’t lie. So my question is how big will she get? She was again adopted to us, with the intention of her getting 15hh plus if she was a rising 2yr and being 14hh estimate. We soon got her measured properly and she’s actually 13.1. She is bum high, very bum high and we have no record of her breed, Dam or Sire. No clue really. But if she is 4.5,5 as the dentist said she is will she grow to make 14.3 15hh at this age? But I’ve also had many opinions to her and the most common one was, if she was malnourished for her whole life she wouldn’t of been growing at this time, just keeping all her energy to survive I guess. Would there be a growth spurt soon? She’s not greedy not picky but will eat all her hay and hard feed, and if she is to grow and fill out I don’t want to cut back, I actually am giving her way more. She’s not fat nor slim just about right. Atm she’s on fast fibre and dengie no molasses. Loves her time in the field and play mates but also loves human attention also. I look forward to hearing some feedback. Thanks

 

[HackWithMe]

Also, how do you post pictures on here?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

If she is the age you were originally told she is, she will still have all her baby teeth at the front and these will start changing to adult teeth in due course. Keep a close eye on them and you will find out for definite what her true age is. She certainly sounds very immature. Any chance of photos?

 

[HackWithMe]

If she is the age you were originally told she is, she will still have all her baby teeth at the front and these will start changing to adult teeth in due course. Keep a close eye on them and you will find out for definite what her true age is. She certainly sounds very immature. Any chance of photos?

She’s is defo not 1 or 2. She has more teeth than my 4.5 yr gelding, it’s so hard to believe it though as she is like a yearling literally. Even moves like one. If you wanted to obviously I wouldn’t but you could probably push her over she’s so unstable. It would be understandable if she was a yearling or rising 2 yr but she’s not. I’m sorry I have no clue how to add photos any tips? Thanks

 

[JoannaC]

To add photos just click on the insert image in the tool bar along the top, it's the square with picture in it and drop your photo in

 

[HackWithMe]

It says I need to type in a link for my photo? I’ve inserted photos before but now it says I need to write this http link to upload it?

 

[rextherobber]

Teeth can lie, I had a Welsh sec A who I owned for 20 years, who had the teeth of a horse of about 10. But regardless, your horse is obviously both physically and mentally 1-2 , so should be treated as such

 

[I'm Dun]

I 'd be worried there was something nasty underlying all of this. Even deaths door emaciated horses recovered and wouldnt present the way this pony is. I'd want a good vet to go over her with a fine tooth comb.

 

[Gloi]

Do a string test on her and see what that comes back as.
I would be very interested to see pictures of her and if her teeth.

 

[maya2008]

In terms of height - if 13.1hh at 5yo you are probably looking at 14hh ish (allowing for catching up for earlier lack of food - my 13hh 5yo turned into a 13.1hh 6yo and I doubt will get any bigger).

In terms of a 5yo being so weak you could push them over at 13.1hh - that’s really not right if your pony is now a decent weight. I have a six month old weanling and she is solid on her legs and would not at all be easy to push over. I would get your pony checked out by a vet then decide where to proceed from there.

 

[HackWithMe]

Teeth can lie, I had a Welsh sec A who I owned for 20 years, who had the teeth of a horse of about 10. But regardless, your horse is obviously both physically and mentally 1-2 , so should be treated as such

That’s so interesting! Winnie will be left to develop in the field for a good couple years (obviously handled regularly) but will not be educated until mature. Thanks you for your feedback.

 

[HackWithMe]

In terms of height - if 13.1hh at 5yo you are probably looking at 14hh ish (allowing for catching up for earlier lack of food - my 13hh 5yo turned into a 13.1hh 6yo and I doubt will get any bigger).

In terms of a 5yo being so weak you could push them over at 13.1hh - that’s really not right if your pony is now a decent weight. I have a six month old weanling and she is solid on her legs and would not at all be easy to push over. I would get your pony checked out by a vet then decide where to proceed from there.

Ok I’m not too worried about the height really just wanted to get a rough idea in my head of what height she will end up as. She is a good doer and can put in weight easily and only been rescued 3/4 months ago so she will bulk up and mature. She’s very dainty but got a hay belly atm but this will go as the weather drops and hopefully will be a nice weight for the spring. Thanks you for your advice.

 

[HackWithMe]

I 'd be worried there was something nasty underlying all of this. Even deaths door emaciated horses recovered and wouldnt present the way this pony is. I'd want a good vet to go over her with a fine tooth comb.

3 vets have assed her from her rescue and approved her being healthy and passed with flying colours when she had a health check. A vet is coming to the yard soon so will book in for another check as it won’t do any harm. But she’s loves her food, always has water left at the bottom of the bucket and loves her time in the feild if I can find a way to post a video of her I will. Thank you for your concern and reply i really appreciate it!