what age do hanovarians mature at?

About 7 years old. They look mature when they are about 4 years old but there is a lot left for them to build up in muscles and bone density until 7 years old. This is why if they look completely finished at 4 year sold they will be coarse and old-fashioned by 7 years old -- this is true of practically all wamblood breeds apart from SFs who tend to mature more like TBs becuase of the amount of TB in their basic pedigrees.
 
Whew. My 3 and a half your old looks SOOOOO immature compared to horses I saw of the same age doing sportshorse classs this summer. She is currently very bum high with very little muscle but there is a lot of quality and power there and I know in a couple of years she will be fab.

One dutch warmblood I had was 16.2 at 5 but ended up 17.1 at 7 so he did quite a lot of growing up as well as out even at quite a late age.
 
thats what i thought. so all the horses doing the young horse clases of warmblood breeding will be useless by the time they reach about 7/8?
 
We have just backed our 3 1/2 year old hanoverian, he will be quietly hacked and ridden away during the winter. I don't think it is the backing that is a problem at that age, it is what you do with them once they are backed!!. I hope he will be ready for his grading and a few age classes next year, but we will see how he is looking. He is a big boy, standing about 16.2 now, he should mature at about 17 hands. He seems to have put all his effort into growing upwards, now he needs to fill out and strengthen.
 
I have the same problem with my hano filly. She's 3 1/2 now and still hasn't been touched cos she looks so immature
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I'm going to have her backed in the spring when she's just turning 4. I stupidly didn't buy another riding horse this year when the old girl retired as I thought my 'baby' could take her place but I don't think it's going to be for a while!
 
Yes, I agree almost all warmbloods look very immature until about 7. They also look rather narrow, they do all seem to grow up before they grow out. And I would also agree, I'd rather see one a bit immature so they don't go horrid and coarse as adults. It IS a pain in the arse as far as grading etc. goes though.
 
I agree with cruiseline - 3 or 3 and a half isn't too early as long as you take it easy. My hanoverian filly isn't doing any school work. Every day she goes for a hack for about 30-45 minutes, mainly in walk but with a little trot and canter too. Most importantly she gets to see the world - see traffic, people walking dogs, people on bikes, other horses etc etc. Its this education thats most important for her - the dressage stuff will come easily once she's more mature.

Some horses aren't mature enough in their head more than anything else and with them it can be worth leaving them until they are 4. Each horse has to be taken on its own merits.
 
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I'd rather see one a bit immature so they don't go horrid and coarse as adults. It IS a pain in the arse as far as grading etc. goes though.

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Unless the judge is actually knowledgable about the correct way in which wbs grow and doesn't expect then to look like TBs at the same age (which is unfortunately the case in a couple of Uk studbooks I could name <sigh>).

When you go to a grading on the European mainland the successful ones are certainly not the biggest and are almost always lean, fit and slightly narrow which allows for the correct development they need to make as they mature. Any kind of fat stock show they aren't.
 

I think lots of old breeds are slow maturing. My Cleveland Bays grow until they are six. I bought a three year old mare sold to make 15.1 who made 15.3hh. I have a 3 year old stallion who arrived today who is so thin and rangey you wouldn't know what he was were it not for his massive bone. He is a May foal but needs at least another two years - I think. Will post a pic of a three year old and 6 yr old if it would be of interest .... now we have found out the system!!
 
Would love to see pics of your babies! Don't worry - your three year old can't look much more immature than mine (she was an April foal)
 
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