Is the string test accurate for 5/6 years olds?

ImmyS

ImmyS

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My rising 6 year old tb seems to have been having some growth spurts recently and was wondering if the string test would still be accurate at around this age? I tried it tonight and if its remotely accurate then it looks I've got a horse at least a hand bigger than what I bought, she was bought as 16hh, she's now 16.3 and according to the string test she may have an inch or two left in her! Eeek :eek:
 
ImmyS said:
My rising 6 year old tb seems to have been having some growth spurts recently and was wondering if the string test would still be accurate at around this age? I tried it tonight and if its remotely accurate then it looks I've got a horse at least a hand bigger than what I bought, she was bought as 16hh, she's now 16.3 and according to the string test she may have an inch or two left in her! Eeek :eek:
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Sorry to butt in but very interested - what is the string test?? (sorry numpty question I know :/)

I used to ride an ex racer and when the owner bought him he was 8 yrs and measured 16.1.

After 6 months with her he grew to 17.2!!! :O wonderful horse though and never knew his size ;)
 
I think you have to bear in mind that many horses do not have perfect conformation, for instance we have a 17.2h blood horse who has very long legs topped by a shallow body. A string test on him would put him at 20 hands plus ! and seeing as he is 14 yr old it is testament that the string test is not always correct.

When you look at the conformation, cut off the neck and head and put the body and legs into a square box. If the horse fits into a neat box he has good conformation and the neck should have a good set and shape and balance the whole picture.

If the horse does not fit a box it either has poor conformation or is still growing.
 
AdorableAlice said:
I think you have to bear in mind that many horses do not have perfect conformation, for instance we have a 17.2h blood horse who has very long legs topped by a shallow body. A string test on him would put him at 20 hands plus ! and seeing as he is 14 yr old it is testament that the string test is not always correct.

When you look at the conformation, cut off the neck and head and put the body and legs into a square box. If the horse fits into a neat box he has good conformation and the neck should have a good set and shape and balance the whole picture.

If the horse does not fit a box it either has poor conformation or is still growing.
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Thanks, yes obviously conformation effects it. My girl still seems a little bum high at the moment. I also found some pictures of her racing days as a two year an she looked incredibly immature compared to many of the other horses, which makes me think she's a late maturer, and may have a little growing left.
 
My RID did not stop growing until he was 8.

16.2h as a 2 year old, shallow pipe cleaner type for years, more coffin shaped than box shaped !

18.2h at 8 year old heavyweight hunter, 11 inches of bone. He was very successful in the hunter ring. No tack bought off the peg, rugs made for him. The string test on him was correct but his final size was still a bit of a shock ! Thankfully he was a gentle giant and I miss him everyday.
 
AdorableAlice said:
My RID did not stop growing until he was 8.

16.2h as a 2 year old, shallow pipe cleaner type for years, more coffin shaped than box shaped !

18.2h at 8 year old heavyweight hunter, 11 inches of bone. He was very successful in the hunter ring. No tack bought off the peg, rugs made for him. The string test on him was correct but his final size was still a bit of a shock ! Thankfully he was a gentle giant and I miss him everyday.
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Aww well he sounds lovely :) hoping my girl is going to chunk up a little... Everyone says she looks like a super model, all legs and looks like tooth pick!
 
My 6 yo TB continues to have growth spurts, might have a go at the string test out of curiosity... I do hope he stops soon though although he doesn't grow huge amounts but has gone from 15h to 15.3 in the last 2 years :D
 
leflynn said:
My 6 yo TB continues to have growth spurts, might have a go at the string test out of curiosity... I do hope he stops soon though although he doesn't grow huge amounts but has gone from 15h to 15.3 in the last 2 years :D
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I just did out of curiosity.. Quite exciting to think that I bought a 16hh horse but might end up with a 17.1hh., I should be so lucky! :)
 
Which method do people find works best?

Elbow to floor X 2 for final height

Elbow to fetlock X 2 for final height

Or from centre of knee to coronary band in inches for final height e.g. 15 inches = 15 hands

???
 
I've done both string tests on our youngsters and made it that our coblet, 3.5 yrs and 13hh will make 13.3 and forester, 2.5-3 ish yrs and 13.2 will make 14.3-15.1 (he fidgets :o) . I'd be interested to hear how accurate the tests are as I'd really like them both to grow a bit more.
 
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Christmas Spirit said:
I've done both string tests on our youngsters and made it that our coblet, 3.5 yrs and 13hh will make 13.3 and forester, 2.5-3 ish yrs and 13.2 will make 14.3-15.1 (he fidgets :o) . I'd be interested to hear how accurate the tests are as I'd really like them both to grow a bit more.
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I'm sure they'll have a few growth spurts yet at their age :)
 
I did the string test on my 5 year old when he was 3 years and it came up 15.3hh. He is currently 15hh so I think 15.3hh is a bit optimistic.
I did it on my current 3 year old. She is currently 15.1/2 and it said she will make a touch over 16hh so will be interesting to see if it's correct.
I am only small so not fussed either way.
 
I've heard it's most accurate when done as a yearling. Method I've heard is ergot to elbow then swivel to withers.
Never bothered with it myself as there are to many factors determining final height. You can't make a horse grow bigger than it is naturally made to, but conformation, feed and management in it's early years can all prevent a horse growing
to full potential.
It's a bit like the nail test in breeding, a bit of fun, and a reasonable chance of getting the right answer.
 
I am praying my 6yr old ID doesn't get any bigger! Bought her as a 5yr old at 16.2 but she has grown taller and filled out lots this year and although I haven't measured her (daren't!!) I'd guess she is 17.1 currently! Very worried to think she will get bigger!!!!!


Although.... Jumps look smaller from up there! Lol
 
I did it on my welsh d as a yearling think it said he would end up at 15.1hh ish but hes 5 now and standing at 14.3hh and still quite fine so dont know if hes got any growing left he also seems to get longer instead of taller! Got a 4 year ISH hes about 16.2hh now dont know if hes got any more to grow hope not too much!
 
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