|
There are several methods that horse
breeders and buyers use to predict the mature height of a horse from the
time they are very young. None of these methods are 100% accurate, but
they do give you some idea and have been used by horse lovers for
centuries.
Mature Miniature Horses are measured
differently than their bigger versions. The measurement is not to the
withers, but to the last lowest mane hair (which can be fudged with
creative clipping). Hoof length can also effect the height measurement a
surprising amount. I will list the 3 ways below, but none of them are
100%. Foals have different growth patterns with some almost ceasing to
grow after 1.5 years. Others grow steadily until they are 3.5 years.
Nutrition also plays a big role in how fast and how much they will grow.
Nutrition does come into play when
speaking of growth, as do hormones. The age of gelding can affect final
size with horses gelded at a younger age getting a bit taller.
Likewise, height is affected by nutrition both during pregnancy and
after birth.
There are 4 ways we have found to predict
mature height: |
