Irish Horse Breeders/Owners

Passage...

Passage...

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14 March 2010
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Hey guys,

Just wondering how true the "myth" is that irish horses take longer to mature than other breeds? I have a just turned 6yo (he was 6 about 5 weeks ago) and although he is very healthy, bright eyes, gleaming coat etc etc he is not underweight by any means but just looks so babyish! and i feel lacks muscle behind and slightly on his topline. I have put him on bailys outshine which hasnt made much of o difference He has been on schooling livery for the past 8 weeks (inc lungeing and hacking) and hasnt seemed to change shape at all is all legs and looks slightly out of proportion with his body... just wondering if i was missing something, if he will always be like that, or if he will mature a bit later lol!?!? and info or experiences would be much appriciated (also in NL) xxx
 
His shape depends on his lines or they will have a lot to do with it, that is very true especially in Irish horses. Post a photo please. What has this horse been doing upto date? What do you feed?
 
My husband's will turn 7 in August, and only filled out properly this year. He finally looks and feels like an adult. Also, after patting ourselves on the back for having an angelic youngster, he has just gone into a teenage phase!
 
Hi Simsar, his sire is dunkerrin grey mist http://www.irishdraught.ie/index.php/General/dunkerrin-grey-mist-rid-809.html dont have a pic of his dam but she is out of Clover Hill. Before i got him he was (as far as i know) purely hunted and jumped. We are working on his schooling but he is still hacked twice a week jumped probably once evry other.

Dont have a good confo photo on this comp think they are all under tack but will try and get one. He is on chaff, nuts and now bailys outshine for condition, Ad lib hay, turnout everyday etc grazing is good etc.
 
Honey08 said:
My husband's will turn 7 in August, and only filled out properly this year. He finally looks and feels like an adult. Also, after patting ourselves on the back for having an angelic youngster, he has just gone into a teenage phase!
Click to expand...

LOL Dont scare me! xx ;)
 
Nice breeding with just enough TB to add that much needed quality!! Draughts are very slow to mature I showed a 8 yr old mare for a friend last year and she still wasn't fully furnished. I'm sure he will get there eventually:D
 
Honey08 said:
My husband's will turn 7 in August, and only filled out properly this year. He finally looks and feels like an adult. Also, after patting ourselves on the back for having an angelic youngster, he has just gone into a teenage phase!
Click to expand...

Lol, I didn't realise I was that tired, I've just read that as your husband is just 7 but he finally looks and feels like an adult, sorry! :o:o:D:D:eek:
 
LOL. I just got back from the states today, so could be jet lagged but think I wrote it right!

My husband has just turned 44, but still isn't an adult! (Only joking!)

His horse is Clover Hill lines with Cav Royale in there too. He is stunning now. Worth the wait...xx
 
As Simsar said, some lines take much longer to mature, and it is not unusual for them to not get there properly until 8-9 years old. I have a 6yo mare who bless her has produced me 3 corking youngsters, but herself is from a VERY slow maturing line, so this year I have not covered so that she can be broken and we can start working her properly, and do lots of long slow work up and down our mega hills and hopefully by this time next year as a 7yo her bottom and top line will start to look as if they belong to the rest of her.
Don't fall into the trap of over feeding and trying to compensate in that way, just crack on with good flatwork, plenty of hill work and a huge amount of patience.

Pics?
 
As the others have said the draught lines can take a little while sometimes. My 5yo cob is draught/ISH on one side and he is definitely still babyish. I don't expect him to have grown into himself properly until he's about 7 possibly 8.

As above - time, well-considered work routines and patience!
 
Solly1.jpg


This is my 4 yr old Irish Draught - who is still very narrow and has absolutely tonnes of filling out to do. But I don't expect to see my horse matured until he is about 7 yrs old. Until then, I just keep schooling and exercising with plenty of turnout and grass. My 4 yr old is by Ard Grandpa, by a Pride of Toames mare.

EclipseFoal4-1.jpg
This is his dam, by Pride of Toames with her 2008 foal. As you can see, my 4yr old definitely has a heap of filling out to do.

Currently he is growing upwards more than outwards. So I am currently in the lanky with skinny neck and ass catagory. But if I give him time, he will grow into himself and build up muscles from exercise. He can't grow up and out and build muscles all at the same time. So once he stops growing up, he can start growing in other parts!!

Don't worry, your lad will get there. Just needs time to mature into himself...
 
Thanks guys, Musto that sums it up well lol he just looks like a pure baby. He is my first "youngster" and comparing him to other breeds I know through friends etc ( all around the 5yo mark) he just looks like a bub. Got pics tonight, will upload asap whe I have foud the wire! I love him no matter what he looks like though even if he does grow up and not out for a good while yet! Thanks again guys - xx
 
Hello .
Certain Irish lines do indeed take a while. I find most if not all RID's take untill they're 7-8 to fill out. As another poster said do not try to feed him up-he'll come in time. They also last much longer too so it's worth it!!
I nearly didn't recognise pics of one of my homebreds in his new home as i sold him at 4 and he was all grown up!!
Good luck with him xx
 
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