How old is my horse?!

[Scribbles]

Bought a new horse, advertised as a four year old, went to see him being ridden, and also did a 'surprise' trip to ensure he wasn't doped or anythin glike that. Anyway, they then told us he wasn't 4 until June, which became September. Just had his passport through, year of birth 2005, but no month.

So how old do I tell people he is? Plus this impacts on how much I do with him. I could take it as DOB January, making him 4 in January, but then it could be June or December! I would say June as a good 'middle' but that means he is only *just* 3 now. He's just lost 2 baby teeth, and we had the dentist come out to him who said he was still a baby, around 4. Which wasn't any help really.


What do people suggest? Do I stick to the 'no pole work until 4' rule, or just play it by ear how he goes?


Thanks!

 

[scotsmare]

I take it he doesn't have a breed passport then? If he's still got lots of baby teeth then he's probably 3-ish (no help - sorry

)

 

[Syrah]

I bought a 4 year old, asked the vet and got the dentist out to see her as soon as I could. Dentist told me she was nearer to 3.5 so I kept her ticking over.

Light schooling, hacking, introducing her to things but not alot of canter work and no jumping at all.

I would take it easy with him and do no jumping until next spring. That way you cover all bases.

 

[Scribbles]

Haha no. He came from some dodgy bloke in Sunderland. Known to people at my yard who said as dodgy as he is (ex copper) horses are fine, and the suprise go see we did was ok. Horse is the sweetest thing, just very babyish. We don't actually have a clue what breed he is, and we've had everything suggested to us! Welsh D, trotter, TB, Selle Francais x Newforest, Newforest, just about everything!

Pics:

They're from his first day, he's really filled out now but sadly not uploaded photos yet!

 

[Lyndz]

That's a difficult one! I'd air on the cautious side and go with him "just" being 3, as that's what year his passport states! September is a bit late for foaling but he may have been unplanned(as our shire cross was!) Not much help, sorry!

 

[Scribbles]

Mollywops:

That sounds like a good idea. I have trotted and cantered him over a couple of poles on the ground. But I think I will leave all other pole work till next year. We are moving yards to a place with decent hacking so hopefull that'll be better for him.

SpikyMare:
Yeah I thought that, but the dentist did say "rising four". Thinking about it I might just give him the same day birthday as me in late May, as that sounds about the right time.

 

[Kenzo]

Well I must say he is lovely!

Back to the point, my boy just looked like him when I got him (ok differnt size/colour etc) but the same shape, I got my boy in May 07 and he was about to turn 3 in the June 07, however my boy was not in top condition (meaning up to weight) which is similar to your boy (I dont personally think youngsters should carry a lot weight and be fed up too much) so I mean that in a good way, nor did who I bought him from...hence why he looked imature compaired to another of the same age on our yard.

Anyway I didnt confirm his age to the horse dentist (just to see what he said) and he confirmed that he was indeed a year old (so he was right).

If your not overly convinced then get a second opinion from another ETD, my boy hasnt a breed passport, just one of those HPA ones, again no exact date of birth just says DOB - 2004 but the guy I bought him off told me his exact date of birth...not sure if it is totally correct but the dentist said it didnt matter, he was at least the age I was told.

Anyway....who cares, you've got a beautiful boy there, I love him!

ETD...found a picture just to show you what I mean, I think they have got similar heads too in a way

 

[CBAnglo]

He looks very babyish in those photos and he is croup high. I wuld be inclined to go with just 3 as well.

 

[Scribbles]

Thanks for your replies!

The vet put 2005 as DOB, Dentist said rising 4. So if I say a young 4 in spring next year, that'splaying it safe? So light schooling and hacking until then?

Kenzo - thanks, yours is stunning too!


New yard is a riding school so I may have some riding school lessons just so that I am upto scratch when it comes to introducing him to things. Did plan on getting one that was 4/5ish so that I have the next 2/3 years to play about and go slow (am at uni) but fell in love with my little boy as he's the sweetest thing, and didn't realise just how young he was!


Ah well, c'est la vie.

 

[Spyda]

Funny people UNDER estimating the age of a horse they're selling. Always thought it was the other way around generally. Years ago (when I was 13) my parents bought me an Arab gelding said to be a 7 year old. Got him home and our own vet said he was four years old, if that! Poor thing had been in a riding school too, before I bought him. Thankfully for him, as it turned out, he could only be walked around with a rider on his back for 'lessons' , if two 'helpers' were hanging on to either side of his head by the bit rings. He didn't last long in the 'riding school' as you can imagine! I bought him and turned him into a JA and Grade C show jumper. He was my best horse (well, pony - he was LC at 14.1hh) of ALL time. Still miss him, even now. A typical little girl's dream horse, a flowing chestnut Arab (that could jump 5' tracks as well.) Won't find another like him

Your boys looks lovely. Yes, he is still croup-high so got some growing to do yet. I'd treat him as a 3 year old. Can't go wrong if you do that, and it'll give him the time he needs to grow into himself. Good luck with him.

How big is he by the way? Maybe WB x Native possibly?

 

[Scribbles]

He is about 15.3 though I'd say he's grown perhaps 1/2 inch in the time we've had him.

Thanks
x

 

[Spyda]

Could still be WB x. He looks a really nice sort, whatever he is.

 

[CBAnglo]

I would say he has some growing to do. To me he looks as though he has something heavier mixed in - maybe ID? They mature much later.

I would be inclined to say turn away for the winter to mature and and start again when he is 3.5.

 

[VictoriaEDT]

PM me pics of his incisors and I can tell you the answer!

 

[Scribbles]

Victoria - thanks! I'll take some tomorrow.

Blumin' annoying as the idea was to have something to bring on over summer, then potter along with through winter due to uni. Ah well. I'll stick to the uni riding club lessons every wednesday.

 

[Scribbles]

Current photos:

And yeah, we don't have a clue to his breeding either!