String Test? Guestimating Adult Height

[measles]

I'm sure there is a way of working out roughly what height a new foal might be when fully grown, something about measuring from the knee to hoof??

Does anyone know? Thanks

 

[hollyzippo]

I thought it was knee to elbow = depth of body?! Sounds too small tho so not sure now!

 

[Imonone]

My old farrier used to do this and Ive been desperately trying to remeber how to do it. I think it was hoof to knee and hoof to point of shoulder but cant remember the next bit.

He did it for my baby and was spot on.

 

[coedcae]

It's from the middle of the knee, where the joint is, down to where the hair meets the hoof. Measure from the front. You need to push the tape measure to follow the contours of the leg, rather than just let it hang. Whatever you measure in inches, say 16 and a half, then you will have that in hands high ie 16.2

 

[airedale]

I know a different one that has been 'right' 4 times for me

wait until the foal is 6 months old then measure from the point of elbow to the ground in inches

then double it

so if you get, e.g., 31 inches then it becomes 62 inches which is 15.2hh at maturity

none of mine have been more than 1 inch out - usually 1 inch shorter than the height given by this test.

ironically I didn't believe it with my 2 yr old when it came out as 16.1 as he was by a 16.3 stallion out of a 14 hh mare, first foal, but the measurement was correct as at 2 he's already 15.3 !!!

 

[annie02]

I dont know about foals, but I believe the long bones are basically at full height by two. If you measure elbow to fetlock and then keep your point on the elbow and flip the string up that is where their withers should end up. But you have to do it when they are older, not a foal.