Massive foal from a pony stallion

[Smoky 2022]

So my friend mare had a foal last Thursday the mare is 16.3 and the sire is 14 hands . The foal is massive a lot bigger than previous foals from bigger stallions 17 hand. I was just wondering Is this normal .

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Quite normal in my experience, depends on what genes from which parent the foal has inherited. What size are the sire's parents?

 

[MissTyc]

Definitely not unusual! We had two in 2018. One 16hh x 16.2hh and one 14hh x 15hh. From 3-5 months they were about the same size. Then again as long yearlings. Now, at 4, one still seems to be shooting upwards (currently 16hh) and the other hasn't changed height in ages (currently 14.1hh)... I think both will end up 1-2 inches taller than now, but the growth comparison was fascinating as they were only 1 week apart so could be compared all the time.

 

[ihatework]

Well you have the genetic lottery to consider and also to some extent the mare uterus size has some influence too. So not unusual

 

[Errin Paddywack]

I had a 14hh mare who twice produced foals that were 10hh at birth. One was by an old style Knabstrup stallion who was about 15.1. He was a big chunky foal, no idea what height he made as sold as a yearling, the other was by my Appaloosa stallion who was barely 15hh. She made about 14.3hh. The second foal she had by an Anglo arab who was I think 15.3hh was 9.2hh at birth and made over 16hh. His full brother was similar size at birth and made a lightweight 15hh.