Is it possible for horses to grow taller than both parents?

My old boy was a big lad about 17.3hh and very lanky however his mum was 16.1 and his dad 15.2 his full brother is only 16.2 madness just shows you can never tell! x
 
My beautiful county standard Highland had a 14.1 dad and a 14.3 mum. He made 15.1 so he never made it to county shows because he should have stopped at 14.2. He was, however, my horse of a lifetime with wonderful manners and was a hefty, gentle giant.
 
Two biological reasons for this:
1. If the offspring has a lot better feed than parents, then it can get bigger.
2. Genetics: height/size is governed by a number of genes acting together. Imagine tossing a series of coins in which each heads increases the height by 2" and tails decreases height by 2". ( I simplify, but the outcome is the same). On average, there would be an equal number of heads and tails, so the offspring would be about the same as the parents. However, if you came up with a lot more heads than tails, then the offspring could be significantly taller.
Reason 1 is probably why you are now seeing a lot of larger off-spring, but genetics comes into play, too.
 
Maesfen said:
Harry is out ofd a 14.2 tank and by a small (under 15 hands) TB. He's still growing at 16.2; he was meant to be a show cob but nobody told him!
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Opps !,

What do you reckon my Archie baby will be, dam is 15h very deep, square vanner/cob, looks like a tank but moves like a dressage horse, def got a tad of shire or Clyde in her. A little too thick through gullet but hasn't put that onto foal.

Foal 14.3h now 9 months, loads of bone, really nice limbs, floats along, her back is broad enough to have lunch on ! I have told her Maxi Cob or HW hunter but I can't see her getting the 17hh + for the hunter.
 
AdorableAlice said:
Opps !,

What do you reckon my Archie baby will be, dam is 15h very deep, square vanner/cob, looks like a tank but moves like a dressage horse, def got a tad of shire or Clyde in her. A little too thick through gullet but hasn't put that onto foal.

Foal 14.3h now 9 months, loads of bone, really nice limbs, floats along, her back is broad enough to have lunch on ! I have told her Maxi Cob or HW hunter but I can't see her getting the 17hh + for the hunter.
Click to expand...


Be afraid, be very afraid!
Mauridia_07.gif
connie_mini_lalalalala.gif
LaieA_016.gif
JC_shamrock.gif


Bear was out of a solid built TB of 15 hands by Maurice. He's now hitting the roof at just over 18 hands.:p
 
Yes one of my old boy was out of a 15.2 mare sire was 16.2 and his grandsire was 16.3 and from what I believe northam dancer who was his great grandsire was only small. My boy turned out at 17.2
 
My 15.1 TB's first foal has made 16.3. The sire was 16.1. Turns out the 15.1 dam had a 16.3 sire though! So genetic throw back!!

It's definitely possible for offspring to outgrow their parents :)
 
Vinnie's dam was 16.2hh and his sire was 16.3hh.

He is now 17.3hh (unfit and with no shoes) and I expect him to finish around 18.1hh.

He was purposely kept lean when he was younger but it didn't stop him growing like a beanpole!
 
Maesfen said:
Be afraid, be very afraid!
Mauridia_07.gif
connie_mini_lalalalala.gif
LaieA_016.gif
JC_shamrock.gif


Bear was out of a solid built TB of 15 hands by Maurice. He's now hitting the roof at just over 18 hands.:p
Click to expand...

Just as well I have kept all my made to measure gear from my Embla George show horse (18h) then !! Sold the big lorry when he died though, she will have to be tied behind the little lorry and trot fast !

If i can ever work out how to put her picture on here I will.
 
I know this is an old thread but I have the same question, I’ve bought a colt who’s sire was 13hh and it’s dam 13.2hh. He was sold to me that he’d make 14.2hh which I doubt. Hes 12.2hh now at 16 month old. Will he make the 14.2hh?
 
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