Riding during growth spurts

[sodapop]

My chunky cob had a few months off this summer and used it to have a massive growth spurt; he is now so bum high he looks like a cut and shut cob. He started pulling off his front shoe so the farrier shod him shorter but left some toe over the front of the shoe to try and stop the front shoe being pulled off if he forged. He has been back in work for 2 months and he has started to feel like there is a problem with his pelvis or stifle. I am having his back shoes taken off and getting the vet out but I just wondered if it was best to let him finish growing before I consider working him again. His passport said he was rising 9 last October but the dentist puts him at 6; he wasn't exactly underweight when I bought him but he was very narrow in the chest and had that lanky adolescent look about him but now his chest and shoulders look like he could pull a tank along! I haven't worked him hard since I bought him as I like quiet hacks so it wasn't a problem to me about his age. I have ridden growing cobs in the past but I have never had one that had such an obvious bum high episode, I dread the thought that he could stay like this!

 

[Adopter]

Such a noticeable growth spurt would make me question his age, maybe the dentist got it wrong he might be much younger than 6. Has an equine vet given you an age for him?

My two year olds have filled out well this year and are very bum high at present.

Many larger breeds are known to carry on growing up to 6 or 7.

 

[sodapop]

He was passported and microchipped by a vet the day I bought him, then I had the dentist out about four months later but the vet that gave him his vaccinations hasn't had a look. I will have to ask the vet I am now registered with as she only does horses and has a good reputation. I wasn't surprised that he was younger than his passport, I have come to expect it from dealers. I have had horses before that haven't had a good start to life then they grow and mature after I had them but this spurt has taken me by surprise.