How do you figer out how many hands your horse going to be?

[Kate 05501]

I have a two year old on July 1. I am figering out how big she going to be. Do you know how to figer out what size your horse going to be? I need to find out because I need my horse to hold my weight. I am 220 pounds. What size of horse will hold that weight? I don't want to sell her. I am going to wait awhile before making that deside. Thank you for your help.


Kate 05501 and the gang

[CMR]

You will need a stocky horse(draft, draft cross etc.). I wouldn't put that amount of weight on a young horse, any weight at all can really mess them up for the future, and shorten your time with them.

[nirikina]

As cvreagzayn says, there are other things to take into account. Your horse will have done most of her growing by 3 years, when you can start backing her. But I wouldn't ask her to do serious ridden work until she is 4 years old, when she should have reached adult size. If you ask her to carry weight when she is too young it may damage her back and legs. Also, it would be best to have a smaller person to help back her and bring her on so she can build up her strength, before you ride her yourself.

If you're wanting to ride sooner than that I suggest you buy a horse that is already broken, working regularly and fit. Something stocky with good strong legs. Start off slowly just walking for short periods, then work up gradually over a period of months to trot/canter for longer periods.

[beanz's mum]

its simple really get the vet to look at her and ask how tall she is going to be:o thats the only way i know

[Kate 05501]

Thank you all for your help. I'm so sorry to post two the same. I'm not in a rush to break her. I can ride other horses at the barn. I was just wondering how do figer it out. I guess I will just wait and see.

Kate 05501 and the gang

[Santi]

Hi,
i spent ages trying to research this for my pony foal. There doesn't appear to be a standard way of working it out and alot depends on the parents.

Apparently by one year they are 90% of their adult height - that was the only definate thing i could find. This i suppose means there isn't much height left to grow by the time they are two, maybe only an inch or two?

I think there isn't 'a formula' because each horse grows up differently maybe to do with the breed. I'm sure there must be horses that grow loads in the third and forth year too!

[horsecrazysarah]

Hi,
It does depend on the parents on how tall he will be. But I did see something on RFD-TV about how to tell about how tall they will be. I think it only works when they are at least a year or two old or something like that. If you take a piece of string or bailing twine and measure from the front fetlock joint up to his elbow and mark that distance, it should equal the distance from the elbow to his withers when he grows up. Deos that make sense? I've never done it, but it's worth a try and see if it seems right.


What breed is she?

Hope that helps.:)

[Skyhuntress]

Haha, it's a guessing game and a lot matters on the breed.

For example, TBs reach about 90% of their height by a year or so. Warmbloods can take up to 7 years to fully mature, same with drafts.

Ideally, you need to take a look at the bone structure of your horse to figure out if he'll have the body type to carry your weight. Because realistically, its not the height. You dont' need a 17hh horse. You could very well have a stocky 15.3hh horse and look great on him.