What weight for a 15.2 youngster?

Jennyharvey

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I know this may be a controversial topic, but my home bred mare isn't going to be as big as I had hoped, only making around 15.2 at a push maybe only 15 hands. I was just wondering what people think of the right weight for her as a 4 year old to be backed and ridden away. I want to back her myself but if needed I will get a smaller friend to help me. She is a connie cross warmblood type. I am planning on losing weight anyway but want to see if its feasible for me to be the right weight for her. Is there anyone on here who ride a young 15 2 who would share their weight? Thanks so much for any replies.
 

JanetGeorge

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I know this may be a controversial topic, but my home bred mare isn't going to be as big as I had hoped, only making around 15.2 at a push maybe only 15 hands. I was just wondering what people think of the right weight for her as a 4 year old to be backed and ridden away. I want to back her myself but if needed I will get a smaller friend to help me. She is a connie cross warmblood type. I am planning on losing weight anyway but want to see if its feasible for me to be the right weight for her. Is there anyone on here who ride a young 15 2 who would share their weight? Thanks so much for any replies.

Jenny, it's a hard one to answer with any certainty without knowing WHERE she put her growth. If she looks more like a chunky Connie, then I'd say 10 stone max. to start (until back muscles are fitter and she's more balanced') If she's thrown more to the WB, then a stone less. The other thing - that eyes are needed for - is how mature she actually is at 4 (or 5 - or even 6.) Horses usually grow UP first, then the width catches up and a horse is stronger than it looked before. But I'd had 4 and 5 year olds SO bum high that the best place for them is out in the field until their front end catches up.

Hell - even eyes might not be a true help with maturity. Who can tell me how old this one is? (No cheating from those who know her, lol.)

Lizzie.jpg
 

ImmyS

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I’ve ridden my boy regularly from a rising 4 year old, he then had some time off and now as a just turned 5 year old. He’s a smidge under 15.1hh and Welsh D x cob although doesn’t have huge amounts of bone, lightweight cob type. I’m 5ft 9 and 10.5 stone and feel this has been absolutely fine but wouldn’t want any more on him personally.

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still standing

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Janet George, wild guess just for fun because photo shows her front mostly, 1-2 years old!
OP, sorry can't help with weight for starting a youngster as I've not done that but my last horse, a WB cross, did not finish growing until 7 years old (although he ended up at 16.1).
 

Pinkvboots

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Agree with ihatework I have a 15h Arab his not a fine type but has not always had the best top line so I wouldn't put more than 10.5 stone on him, I was 9.5 stone when I backed him but I only weigh 9 stone now so it's fine for him.
 

JanetGeorge

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With the length of tail I would say a yearling perhaps.

lol, that s not a good way to judge. My staff know that overly enthusiastic use of the scissors instead of a wash and a comb is NOT allowed, but the still sometimes get the tail on a 6yo shorter than that. She is 'officially' a yearling but when that pic was taken she was 11 months old and had left my place looking that age. I was gobsmacked when I saw quite how much she'd grown - but of course she HAD gone to Exmoor where horses seem to grow like weeds.

Now - her mother is 16.1 - sire is 16.3. How big would you guess she'd get when mature?
 

Sandstone1

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Jenny, it's a hard one to answer with any certainty without knowing WHERE she put her growth. If she looks more like a chunky Connie, then I'd say 10 stone max. to start (until back muscles are fitter and she's more balanced') If she's thrown more to the WB, then a stone less. The other thing - that eyes are needed for - is how mature she actually is at 4 (or 5 - or even 6.) Horses usually grow UP first, then the width catches up and a horse is stronger than it looked before. But I'd had 4 and 5 year olds SO bum high that the best place for them is out in the field until their front end catches up.

Hell - even eyes might not be a true help with maturity. Who can tell me how old this one is? (No cheating from those who know her, lol.)

View attachment 33591
Id say 4?
Shes lovely
 

DabDab

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I am 66kg and backed both my lightish 15.2hh mare and my 14.2hh stocky built Connie. I have backed all sorts at this weight.
 

Sandstone1

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lol, you're way out on age - 100% correct on lovely. Whatabout: Now - her mother is 16.1 - sire is 16.3. How big would you guess she'd get when mature. And - another clue - her full brother was 17.2 at 7!
haha miles away. Looks very grown up for her age.
id say 16 2?
 

JanetGeorge

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haha miles away. Looks very grown up for her age.
id say 16 2?

lol, her owner would be disappointed. Actually, if I didn't KNOW her age I'd say she was a balanced 2-3yo who'd stand a good chance of Grading in September, IF she didn't shoot up before then. After all, I did NOT predict the eventual height of her first youngster from me - he was by a 17hh stallion out of a 15.2 mare; biggest full sibling - 17hh. He is now 18.3! And she sure wouldn't mind if this one ONLY gets to 18hh - she likes the view up there. I do not know WHAT it is on Exmoor - but every horse I've sold young to down there, has grown like a weed. Another one was 16.2 at 4, biggest full sibling 17hh - he made 18.2!

Breeding horses IS like rolling dice - and the odds on BIG are halved if they go to Exmoor, lol.
 

JanetGeorge

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Back to the original question, I agree with IHW. 10 to 11 stone depending on how she looks when its time :)

And how they look - along with background - is the most important factor. Even a pic only tells you so much. You have to understand the breeding and which way they will go from how the look at 4. This mare was backed at 4 - lightweight rider barely 10 stone (and for a 16.1 3/4ID that is lighter than most really need!) But - within 6 months of easy backing and riding away - she had to go into the field for a year. Why? Because she shot up SO much behind she looked like a moderately severe case of lordosis. She's now 6, ALMOST level and the physio has declared her fit to start again - with care and with suitable exercises. I now get my very good equine physio to check a 4 or 5 year old BEFORE we even start. Weaknesses found can be treated in advance of weight on back.

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