Would you buy a very bum-high three year old?

[Shinx]

I feel like the answer is yes but something is making me hesitate.

His sire is balanced. His dam is balanced. His full sibling, also balanced. But compared to the others in the same crop of three year olds from this stud, the one I’m interested in looks like a baby while they look grown (some of them also share a sire), despite all being born within weeks of each other. Heck, some of their two year olds look more grown. He’ll be four in May.

If they were all wonky looking I wouldn’t be so hesitant. But he really looks like his entire front end (neck, shoulders, legs) need to catch up to the rear end. Instead of just being taller in the back it looks like two different sized horses put together, if that makes sense? He’s also slightly cheaper than some of the others (not by a lot but still) which makes me wonder if the breeder isn’t completely confident he’ll even out either.

He has a lovely temperament and his sire, dam and full brother are all to die for, so I’m tempted to roll the dice anyway but would love some reassurance!

 

[Shinx]

For what’s the worth the brother is not for sale (I already tried!).

 

[webble]

Was he born later than the others from the same year?

 

[tda]

They do grow at different rates, he might have been the level one three months ago. It wouldn't worry me

 

[Barton Bounty]

Orbi is 4.5 and has been like a see saw for a year so yes, what are you waiting for

 

[LEC]

Ask for a foal 3 - 6 months photo as will be your best indication. If looks wonky then, don’t bother.

 

[Shinx]

Ask for a foal 3 - 6 months photo as will be your best indication. If looks wonky then, don’t bother.

Oh this is so clever, thank you! They take lots of pics so should have one.

 

[CJoe]

bought a wonky 2 year old, he is levelling out nicely, although going to be huge!

 

[dapple_grey]

It wouldn't occur to me to worry about being so bum high at 3. My 4.5 year old has suddenly shot up behind and looks like two different horses, but a couple of months ago she was very even.

It may just be that he's going to get bigger than his siblings, they all grow at different rates.

He sounds lovely, we need pics if you decide to go ahead

 

[Hormonal Filly]

A friend bought a very bum high 3yo, he is still very uneven and bum high as a 6yo. Both parents level, and siblings. He won't change now.

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Wouldn’t bother me.

 

[Asha]

They say 3 weeks, 3 months and 3 years are the time to look at youngsters. So have a look at photos from then. theres been days when i couldnt bear to look at my 2yo he was a proper ski slope. But hes levelled out now, and to be fair he was a cracking sort as a foal so i always felt he would grow right.

 

[Midlifecrisis]

I did…last year. She looked gangly and bum high..but it’s just growth spurts…she levels out then goes croup high again, it’s how they grow.

 

[Milliechaz]

I got a bum high 2 yr old who at 7 remains very bum high and as a result of her confirmation has developed suspensory problems in her hinds.

 

[Shinx]

I got a bum high 2 yr old who at 7 remains very bum high and as a result of her confirmation has developed suspensory problems in her hinds.

I’m sorry to hear that, Milliechaz. Youngsters are such a gamble, aren’t they

 

[Jango]

I think it depends what you want to do, if the horse is going to be a happy hack and do some prelims you should be fine. If you want to dressage regularly at elem plus I wouldn't, the horses built on the forehand often really struggle to sit on their hind end and paces can also be affected. But it's a personal choice!

 

[maya2008]

I did - was 14.1hh in front and 14.3hh behind. Levelled up beautifully by 8yo as full up 14.3hh. Back never grew, front end caught up!

 

[Shinx]

I think it depends what you want to do, if the horse is going to be a happy hack and do some prelims you should be fine. If you want to dressage regularly at elem plus I wouldn't, the horses built on the forehand often really struggle to sit on their hind end and paces can also be affected. But it's a personal choice!

So would you expect a 3.5yo to look more like their final form? That’s really what I’m wondering, whether he’ll even out or not. If he was for sure going to stay bum high I wouldn’t buy him.

 

[rara007]

No, why take the risk.

 

[LEC]

So would you expect a 3.5yo to look more like their final form? That’s really what I’m wondering, whether he’ll even out or not. If he was for sure going to stay bum high I wouldn’t buy him.

They might be a few inches off depending on breeding but I would be looking at the general quality in their shape, the wither and where their neck comes out of their body. Essentially if they are bum high they are useless as can’t do anything until levelled out.

 

[Jango]

So would you expect a 3.5yo to look more like their final form? That’s really what I’m wondering, whether he’ll even out or not. If he was for sure going to stay bum high I wouldn’t buy him.

Nobody can answer this for you, he might or he might not it's a gamble. If having a horse bum high for life is an issue for you (it would be for me) then I wouldn't buy. At 2 it wouldn't concern me as much if they had been more equal previously, but at 3.5 there's a reasonable chance they are done growing upwards!

I had a mare who was a very scrawny pathetic looking 15hh as a 4 yo (not bum high), then looked an absolutely different build and was 2+ inches bigger at 6. My next 4yo built a bit of muscle, but was ultimately a very similar shape at 6 as she was at 4.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Do you have a picture ?