How much more will he grow

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Maz AJ

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My new horse is an Irish cob currently 4.5 big boned but I don’t have measurement yet he’s still with dealer. He is currently bum high. I can’t seem to find a definitive answer on how much more he will grow. Some say he won’t grow much others say he could grow another hand? I’d love just 15h but a bit more would be great.IMG_0495.jpeg
 
If you haven't already paid, please do not purchase that horse - its weak lumbar spine, slope of its back at 4.5yo and the angle of its quarters are ringing alarm bells. It could be a whole heap of vet bills for you.
Equally I may be terribly wrong, but at least please get someone experienced to look at it and vet before you pay.
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
If you haven't already paid, please do not purchase that horse - its weak lumbar spine, slope of its back at 4.5yo and the angle of its quarters are ringing alarm bells. It could be a whole heap of vet bills for you.
Equally I may be terribly wrong, but at least please get someone experienced to look at it and vet before you pay.
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Totally agree.
The cob also cannot carry that size rider, either weight wise or saddle size wise (and I'm not being mean about the rider's size, it’s just that the horse is far too short and weak in the back for anything other than a small, lightweight rider, you would never get a suitable saddle)
 
Looking at other threads the horse is already purchased. Also the owner has disabilities and the intention is more ground handling/cuddles than riding.

We don't know if that's OP in the picture, it may be the sales photo? Certainly that rider is too big for that saddle and their legs would be a bit long if they sat in a better position. But perhaps the dealer chucked whatever rider was handy on-board to get a picture?



Here are two calculation for you @Maz AJ .

1) The string test isn't completely accurate but can give a rough idea of final height. (There are a lot of YouTube videos of how to do it.)

2)If you do intend to ride him - your weight, plus weight of all clothing, plus all tack, need to add up to less than 15% of his weight, up to a maximum of 20% when he's fit and fully grown if you are only hacking.
 
Goldie's mum said:
Looking at other threads the horse is already purchased. Also the owner has disabilities and the intention is more ground handling/cuddles than riding.

We don't know if that's OP in the picture, it may be the sales photo? Certainly that rider is too big for that saddle and their legs would be a bit long if they sat in a better position. But perhaps the dealer chucked whatever rider was handy on-board to get a picture?



Here are two calculation for you @Maz AJ .

1) The string test isn't completely accurate but can give a rough idea of final height. (There are a lot of YouTube videos of how to do it.)

2)If you do intend to ride him - your weight, plus weight of all clothing, plus all tack, need to add up to less than 15% of his weight, up to a maximum of 20% when he's fit and fully grown if you are only hacking.
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OP has posted on another thread that the intention is to build up the cob's workload.
This horse will never, ever be able to carry 20% of its weight. Look at its back conformation and the hindlimb. I wouldn’t actually expect this cob to carry any rider other than a child, I still wouldn’t expect it to stay sound.
 
I’m sorry but I am who another is worried about this cob’s very poor conformation.

If the OP just wants a horse for cuddles / groundwork then that is one thing but if that is the OP in the photo then please advise the dealer that you have changed your mind regarding this pony. The photo is screaming out discomfort.
 
AShetlandBitMeOnce said:
If you haven't already paid, please do not purchase that horse - its weak lumbar spine, slope of its back at 4.5yo and the angle of its quarters are ringing alarm bells. It could be a whole heap of vet bills for you.
Equally I may be terribly wrong, but at least please get someone experienced to look at it and vet before you pay.
Click to expand...
He’s had a 5 stage vet all clear
 
eggs said:
I’m sorry but I am who another is worried about this cob’s very poor conformation.

If the OP just wants a horse for cuddles / groundwork then that is one thing but if that is the OP in the photo then please advise the dealer that you have changed your mind regarding this pony. The photo is screaming out discomfort.
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He’s had a 5 stage vet
 
Having a disability doesn’t give you the right to have an ride unsuitable horse 5 stage vetting means nothing I know horses that are constantly lame that easily passed a 5 stage vetting . I have a disability and to be honest I struggle with my weight but I ride a 16.2 horse that horse looks no more than 13.2 it looks like a child pony.
 
He may grow another inch, doubt any more.
I think you will seriously struggle to find a saddle that fits you both.
Rider in picture is way over the back of the cantle but the horses back cannot take anymore length.
 
Celtic Jewel said:
Having a disability doesn’t give you the right to have an ride unsuitable horse 5 stage vetting means nothing I know horses that are constantly lame that easily passed a 5 stage vetting . I have a disability and to be honest I struggle with my weight but I ride a 16.2 horse that horse looks no more than 13.2 it looks like a child pony.
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Well your wrong he’s 14.3 and I’m 5’8 and size 14 no struggle with my weight
 
I can only assume that this is a post made in jest by some form of troll.
If it isn’t then there is no good outcome for either the OP or the horse in this situation.
What is most sad is that somewhere out there this is a real horse being asked to carry a totally unsuitable rider. I hope it was only for a moment to take a photo.
 
Maz AJ said:
Yes it’s me I’m 5’8, size 14 12.5 stone. Wearing body armour
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Thats too much for *this horse*. Another nicely built cob of similar height would be fine, this one cannot be expected to carry that weight. Your looking at 14.5 stone including tack. My friend has a similar stamp, shes on a permanent diet to get her weight down and only walks when she is light enough. With that pony I'd only want a 9 stone rider I'm afraid. Thats a very compromised pony.

The other issue is you wont get a saddle to fit. You cannot ride in the saddle currently on the pony, but even that looks a bit long. Its going to be an out nd ut nightmare to fit a saddle, and you arent going to fit in it at 5ft8 even if you do find one suitable.

Do you have a knowledgeable person you can ask to look at ads and go to viewings with you? If not I'm sure we could recommend someone near you.

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THAT PONY
 
Maz AJ - I appreciate you are not hearing what you want to hear but this cob is definitely not suitable for you. The conformation is appalling and he looks to be a walking vet bill. He is either much younger than you have been told and is going through that odd youngster growth although I highly doubt it or is just very badly put together.

Were you there at the vetting? Was it your choice of vet of one the dealer recommended? Have you checked the dodger dealer sites? I am very surprised that a reputable dealer thought that selling this pony to you was a good idea.

Apart from anything else I just cannot see how you could get a saddle that fits you on that back. The saddle in the photo definitely does not fit you.

FWIW I am also 5'8" and regularly rode my daughter's 14:2 Dales pony and did not look that underhorsed on him. Unless you have measured this pony I very much doubt he is 14.3 (well his bum might be but not his withers).
 
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I will have a saddle fitter out when he comes. Everyone is answering questions I didn’t ask. He is a horse not a pony he’s 14.3 with growing to do. Thanks to all the negative comments on here I sought extra advice from a vet (at cost even though he’s passed a 5 stage) he has been cleared for any back issues/confirmation issues and acknowledged he is in a growth spurt his age confirmed and will level out. No issues of flexion tests or trot ups.IMG_0519.jpeg The vet knows my stats and states he is more than fine for me. So can everyone stop following the rubbish advice on this post either answer the question originally asked or not at all. Oh and below is his side on and a picture of me above I’m not fat as you can see. IMG_0507.jpeg
 
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