Posted 2014-01-17 5:12 PM Subject: RE: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Veteran
Posts: 253 Location: SoCal
Very interesting! I know that most horses don't fill out body mass wise till around 6 years of age, so this makes sense. I know he said "all horses", but there is a lot of difference in size between a shire, thoroughbred, quarter horse, welsh pony, and miniature. Does a mini as well not finish growing till 5.5 years of age?
Posted 2014-01-17 6:23 PM Subject: RE: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 437
I can tell you that their mouths mature between 5 and 5.5 and all of their joints have closed by that same time working from the ground up. So in that sense they are all mature by that age. Maturity is less about size and more about development
Posted 2014-01-17 7:17 PM Subject: RE: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Cinnamon Honey One
Posts: 6549 Location: between here and there
That was written by Dr. Deb Bennett and yes ALL BREEDS doesn't matter size. She is talking about skeletal development and how fast each part of the body matures and when. Very interesting for sure. She is a paleontologist & worked at the Smithsonian Equine Dept. and is very well known in the industry. She has written many books on the subject too. Highly recommend them for those wanting to learn. She also has a 'forum' on the website that you can learn from. All questions from 'students' of hers.
Posted 2014-01-17 8:26 PM Subject: RE: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390 Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace
I don't know the research behind it, but from years and years of watching young ones grow up, my personal rule of thumb is a horse doesn't completely stop "changing" until 8 years old. That includes muscle development and filling out.
I know plenty of mature changes take place long before that, but I always found it fascinating how much a horse can change up till 8 years old. Some Thoroughbreds I couldnt' recognize as an older horse after I'd spent years galloping them early in their career.
Posted 2014-01-17 8:41 PM Subject: RE: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846 Location: Florida..
the skeletal is done by 6 for the warmbloods.. generally..lighter horses a bit earlier.but they continue to grow and fill out til 7ish.. Then of course fat or muscle can develop as well. but the body will be done about 7 ish
No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
