When do they actually stop growing?!

E

enchantedunicorn

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 December 2013
Messages
122
Visit site
I have a connemara who is suppose to be 8 yrs old however my dentist said he's more like 6. I have had alot of people who have been surprised when I have said he is as old as 8 , because his hind quarters are higher than his withers. I had the physio and she thought he was still going to grow - I didn't have her just to tell me that by the way! More than 3 people have told me , including my instructor - so it must be pretty noticiable. I'm just wondering if he could still be growing - and if anybody else has had any experiences like this? He's around 15hh/15.1hh at the moment. :)
 
Most horses top growing upwards at 4 or 5 and then they tend to fill out and put muscle on. However the skeleton is only fully mature at 8, and the vertebra is the last to mature.

If he is croup high now, it may be that either levels out, or that he may remain croup high, but I wouldn't bet too much on him putting inches on now.
 
I've got a connie type (I say "type" because I don't know for sure, but he looks like a connie with a bit of something else thrown in) who was 14.2/14.3hh when I got him as a rising 6yo. He grew in spring/ summer last year, getting to 15hh, when he was 7 and went very angular too. He is 8 now. Has stopped growing but has really filled out and matured. His posture is better, he is better muscled, but he hasn't grown this year and he's also keeping weight well which he didn't at all last year, presumably due to the growth spurt.
 
Casey76 said:
Most horses top growing upwards at 4 or 5 and then they tend to fill out and put muscle on. However the skeleton is only fully mature at 8, and the vertebra is the last to mature.
Click to expand...

I have always been told this too! A horse can grow until about 7/8. However the majority of the growing upwards will happen until the age of 5. From 5 onwards any further growth is generally due to increased muscle (top line) and the frame will really fill out. If he's 6 its likely he will still grow…. more unlikely with an 8 year old… I ride a 9 year old that is incredibly croup high which he never grew into!
 
My 6 yer old is still growing. He's very immature and not really up for a lot of work still. I sure hope he stops soon though, he's best part of 16.3hh, and I'm 5'2"!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top