No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5

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No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5 Moderators: luluwhit, gotothewhip, cindyt, crossspur, ForumAdmin Jump to page :	Last activity 2014-01-17 8:41 PM 5 replies, 3635 views View previous thread :: View next thread
General Discussion -> Barrel Talk


cyount2009 Reg. Apr 2012	Posted 2014-01-17 4:47 PM Subject: No Horse is Physically Mature Before 5.5
Expert Posts: 1898	This article is circling around FaceBook. I did not get the time to read the whole thing but what I was able to read was very interesting. I am currious to see what everyones thoughts are on this. Enjoy! http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
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Last Catt Reg. Mar 2013	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?
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Wrapn3inAK Reg. Nov 2007	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
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wimpyb Reg. Dec 2003	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.
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missroselee Reg. Jul 2006	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.
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Bibliafarm Reg. Jul 2008	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 Edited by Bibliafarm 2014-01-17 8:49 PM
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