String Test and Warmbloods

[Christsam]

My Warmblood gelding is 4 in January. He seems to be a very slow grower and is 16.1hh now (depending on whether he shrinks when you measure him!!!) His great grandsire was 17.1 and his mum (16hh) has had a lot of throw backs that are over 17hh. The breeders thought princey would make over 17hh as well. How much have your warmbloods grown upwards since 4? If I do the string test from middle of knee to coronet he comes out that he should be 16hh (obvs wrong) and if i do elbow to fetlock and then up he comes out at 17.2. However, his body seems quite deep and it does seem a lot that he would have another 4/5 inches to grow on his body but he does look like he has stupidly long legs sometimes. I have put a piccy below so you can see him. Any ideas anyone? This pic he was just 16hh and bum high (also on uneven ground) taken back in the Summer. Just as a note his sire was 16hh too.

his pedigree is http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/radical+prince if this helps anyone as to his actual breeding.

 

[becca1305]

Im not sure there is really any other way to guestimate final height, however I seem to remember reading a study saying WBs have usually reached approx 98% of their mature height in their 3rd year- so I guess this could mean to be up until they turn 4- though obviously they fill out more after), and speaking to my vet he said he roughly agreed with that in general.

However I really dont think theres any hard rule. String & measuring tests bring my girl out somewhere between 17.2hh & 17.3hh, shes a good 17.1hh atm (3yo). I think based on everything its likely she will finish at 17.2hh, however she has levelled off again & hasnt grown for a few months so I suppose its possible shes stopped growing up, but equally she could grow to 7 or 8.... Short answer is I guess I really dont know!

 

[becca1305]

Ps he looks very lovely

 

[Auslander]

I bought my WB gelding (Ramiro Z) when he was rising 4, and was worried that he'd be too small for me! He was 16.1h when I bought him, didn't really grow much for the 1st year I had him, then had a massive growth spurt when I turned him away over the winter of his 5th year. He ended up 17.3hh by the age of 7, and built like a brick outhouse. Warmbloods seem to be sneaky like that!

 

[Coldfeet!]

He definitely does look like he has to grow into himself, even out and mature some gene's can do odd things!
Probably no help but as a 14hh 2 year old my D's string test said 14" he is now 3.5 yrs old nearly 14.2 and the string test still says 14"! He has deepend in the body but his legs have not lengthend and he is still growing!

 

[Tinsel Town]

Aww he's lovely! Yeah I would think he'll probably still grow a little and fill out still

 

[Christsam]

Thanks guys. He is lovely Bought him at 3 months old and he came home when weaned. Im really proud of him and the time flies realising he is 4 soon! I did speak to my vet about it when he came out a couple of weeks ago and he said he "may have a bit to go". I have backed him lightly before winter and whilst I know he has to fill out a lot, he looked tiny under me (im 5'8)! Auslander - I knew a horse who actually did grow to be 18hh and I think he reached that at about 8 years old so maybe he will be one of those. I never really wanted something at over 17hh but only found out about his half siblings being over after I paid a deposit and whilst they did give me the option to "exchange" him I had fallen in love with him by then and couldnt do it and now find myself hoping he does grow!

Heres one of me on him for the first time so you can see what I mean about looking tiny. Yes on concrete but I figured he was less likely to arse around on concrete

 

[FfionWinnie]

He doesn't look tiny just looks young and immature. He will change a lot and look bigger even if he doesn't get taller so don't worry.

 

[Christsam]

He doesn't look tiny just looks young and immature. He will change a lot and look bigger even if he doesn't get taller so don't worry.

Its amazing how much they change their look from day to day. Some days he looks so babyish and others he looks like hes all grown up. He was my first youngster and I love them. I want another foaly now

 

[ElleD]

I've a slow grower too, mostly warmblood. She's two, just off 15hh and supposed to mature to 16hh. Was beginning to panic a little as people raise their eyebrows and say no chance but a few breeder friends have said lots of horses shoot up in 3rd or 4th year.

In saying that, my 17.2 was purchased by my friend as a 4yr old at 16.2 and grew an extra hand between then and 6. He's IDxTB.

 

[SallyBatty]

A friend of mine bought a 5 year old warmblood at 15.3hh who grew to 16.3hh by the time she was 7/8 years old.

 

[Nightmare before Christmas]

Mine was a touch under 16hh when I got him! He then grew 2 inches in 12 weeks which caused some issues! He is now 16.2 and a bit. Hes filling out but still going up! Hes just gone 4

 

[Orls]

My belgian warmblood grew a hand between the ages of four and six. They tend to keep growing longer than you think they will. My dutch warmblood is only three and only at 15hh at the moment, but I know there will be more height to come so not worried !!!