how big will my pony grow?

[jonshell]

hi im just wondering if anyone can help guestimate if my pony will grow anymore. hes a nf x warmblood, 4 in july and hes currently standing about 13.2, he was ment to make 14.2 but im not seeing it somehow. anyone had any ponys that had miraculas growth????

 

[Meowy Catkin]

String test. He'll keep growing until he's approx 5 1/2 but I doubt he'll make 14.2.

http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/info/stringtesting.html

 

[frozzy]

I breed Welsh ponies (B and C ) and although they do grow until around six ish they do 95% of their growing in the first two years.
I would reckon your pony will end up around 13.3 max.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I feel like a broken record but...

breed makes no difference to the development of the skeleton, which we all must agree plays a big part in a horse's growth.

 

[TelH]

One of my ponies was 13.1hh aged 4 and 13.2hh aged 6. I doubt yours will make 14.2hh either.

 

[competitiondiva]

small warmblood?? agree with others past 4 yrs I think the most you'll get if anything would be an inch???....

 

[jonshell]

thats what i thought but keep getting told not to worry as warmbloods dont finish growing till their 7.

 

[competitiondiva]

I believe all the growth plates in a horse (no matter what breed) fully close at the age of 8, though there aren't many that grow in height past the age of 5, most just fill out after this age. I personally would be surprised if he made 14.2 but having read some of the replies on another thread 'selling my 3 year old as not made the height' you may yet get your hope!!! I have a warmblood 3 year old and if he grows anymore than 1-2 inches from now to maturity I'll have a heart attack!!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf

Page 8. the vertebral column is the last place for the growth plates to fuse at 5 1/2 years old. However really big horses can need more time.