Length of back

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Saxon

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Can anyone answer this for me, at what age does a horse's spine stop 'growing'?

Long story short, it looks like my loan horse will be retired soon so I'm starting to look for my next horse. A friend has a cob x trotter, rising 4, for sale that I've always liked since she got her. She's approx 14.3 now and still a bit bum high but she's quite short bodied and the saddler says she won't be able to carry a 17" saddle as she is fairly short backed. This could be a problem for me as I usually need a 17" or 17.5" for my lanky legs (I'm 5'9") so I'm hoping she could 'lengthen' a bit yet otherwise I'm going to have to try a 16.5" if I do go ahead and buy her.

Don't know what to do as height wise I look fine on her.
 
I've got a 15.2 TB x Knabstrupper mare, she's 6 years old and her saddle is 17.5 just and unless it's fit snuggly it puts pressure in the wrong place!

At 4 she was in a 16.5" saddle so I'd say she's lengthened a few inches in a year or two. :) short backed makes them good for jumping :)
 
No idea if there's any conclusive studies on spine growth after 4. Most horses go up a few rug sizes after 4 but I've always thought that its more due to filling out than length. I'd play safe though & work on the assumption she'll never take more than a 16.5
That said, there can be big differences in seat size in 16.5" saddles & you can always have longer panels. I'm 5'10 with very long legs, mine has a 16.5" gp which is perfect for me, & can ride in a 15" saddle no problems. I ride very long though so panels not an issue & I have a scrawny backside. Might be worth speaking to a saddler & seeing what options you have for a smaller saddle
 
Thanks for replies. I could fit in a 16.5" as I too have a scrawny backside! I'm expecting her to be in a cob saddle so at least the seat is flatter and usually more comfy for me anyway. She doesn't look excessively short backed, you just expect a mare to be longer I suppose.

Hoping she'll have a decent pop on her, she has an extremely bouncy trot so I live in hope!
 
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