Friesians

[Blitzen]

Hi all,

I have a question about age and height.
A lovely young Friesian boy has caught my eye.
He will be three years in April 2008, and is of a heavy baroque build.

He currently stands at 155/156 cm, so 15.1hh ish.
Ideally, I'd like him to be a smidge bigger.

Do you think he is likely to gain another inch or so and mature to around 15.2hh - I realise that by now, he would of gained most of his adult height - but, then again, I'm thinking that Friesians don't mature until around the age of 5, so he could make 15.2 -15.3hh - what are your opinions?

J xx

[Sammii819]

Horses in general don't stop growing until they are six, i think you have a very good chance of him gaining another inch if not two as you say friesians mature late.
Good luck with it they are gorge horses and i'm jealous i really want one to start competing on but i can't afford two and i'm not getting rid of Prince even though he isn't able to compete at the level i would like to.
:D

[Blitzen]

Thanks for that - I'm sure he will grow, its just hard to be sure.
Yep, I love em too, they are just such a wonderful kind hearted breed.
What level are you competing at currently?

[Sammii819]

Area showjumping mainly. Prince is a WelshxArab and lovely but 15yrs and 15hh, i would like something young i could break and bring on for dressage and eventing. Also something that is about 16hh that isn't to stocky for me being only 5'4" but something that my husband who is a body builder and is quite a bit heavier due to muscle can also ride. He rides Prince sometimes but he isn't totally happy with the weight. I would love to do serious competing. Prince was free to me from a friend so can't complain about him plus i love him so much.
One day i'll be able to afford another, Prince has a lot left in him yet so will have to get a better paid job i think.;)

[pineapple]

fresians can carry on growing very gradually until they are 6 or even 7 years old. this horse isnt even three yet so i would say he would grow at least another 2 inches over the next 3 years

[Jessica23]

Yep, he'll grow some more. The problem is that i believe he wouldnt be able to be graded into the stud book as they have to be 16hands at 3 years i think?? (may be 15.2) but if you're just wanting him as a riding/driving horse then im sure he'll be fine.

My Una is 18months and 15hands already so god knows what she'll end up at!lol

[stroppymare]

Yep, he'll grow some more. The problem is that i believe he wouldnt be able to be graded into the stud book as they have to be 16hands at 3 years i think?? (may be 15.2) but if you're just wanting him as a riding/driving horse then im sure he'll be fine.

My Una is 18months and 15hands already so god knows what she'll end up at!lol

A minimum of 1.50cm (14.3hh) at 3 yrs to be included in the main studbook. If he is already registered in the Veulenboek (Foalbook) then many people will not bother to take a gelding to inspection for entry into the studbook.

[Jessica23]

Just looked on the FHAGBI website and this is what it says about height:

Friesian stallions must be at least 1.60M by the age of four and mares must be at least 1.50M. However, between 1.58M and 1.65M is considered ideal.

No mention of geldings at all :rolleyes: But i guess you'd want it to be around 1.58M then :D But he still has a year to go!

[Blitzen]

Hi

thanks, I realise heights for grading etc......just can't be sure at the moment whether he may get much more extra height.
He's already VB currently, still entire at the mo.

My friesian mare had a growth spurt between the ages of 3-4, and finished at 15.3hh, which is nice for a mare, but then, they're all different.

[lachlanandmarcu]

A lady who used to be at our yard took her 3yo Friesian gelding off for grading somewhere up north.......so they def will do it, he got accepted but not anything elite etc

[pengapenga]

yep he will grow some more. Frits stopped growing upwards at 5 and half but he is still maturing mentally.

[Jessica23]

Frits stopped growing upwards at 5 and half but he is still maturing mentally.


Well.... He is a boy, give him time :D

[pengapenga]

Well.... He is a boy, give him time :D

:eek::eek: oh dear that means he will never grow up:p:D

[Blitzen]

Thanks everyone - after all that, I havn't gone ahead, due to vetting
results - only something minor for consideration, but I think I have made
the right decision.
Thanks anyway!!