Last Updated on December 2, 2021
Horse’s growth is a hot topic in the Sporthorse industry and is an important concept for all horsemen to understand. So, when does a horse stop growing? Horse growth determines when horses can begin their careers and when it is acceptable to ask them to perform in certain ways.
Horses are done growing at different times for different categories of growth. Their growth can be divided into height, weight, and bone. Horses finish growing up before they finish growing out, and they finish growing out before their bone development is completely done.
In this article, I will discuss all three of these growth categories to determine when a horse is done growing in each and overall.
When Does a Horse Stop Growing in Height?
A horse’s growth upward in height takes the least amount of time to complete. If you think of foals or yearlings, they are often “all legs,” thin, and gangly. This is because they’ve grown in height more quickly than they have in weight.
Light, riding horses have grown to approximately 84% of their full height by the time they are six months old. They are 94% of their full-body height by the time they are twelve months/ one year old. And they are 97% of their full height by the time they are twenty-four months/ two years old.
Equinews illustrates this in an example of a thoroughbred, whose full height would be about 15.2 or 15.3 hands. This horse would be 13.2 hands at six months, 15 hands at twelve months/ one year, and would be 15.2 hands at twenty-two months/approx. two years.
Horses also grow out in length in about the same time as height. Their spine lengthens as they grow taller.
When Does a Horse Stop Growing in Weight
A horse will grow out more slowly than they grow up. Equestrians often refer to their horses as “filling out,” for many years while they are still young. Young horses are often below the average weight until they have had time to fill out and gain muscle and fat they need to be a healthy, mature horse.
Horses will be between 46-50% of their total body weight at six months, about 65% and twelve months/one year, 90% at twenty-two months/approx two years. The remaining 10% will fill out progressively over the next 2-3 years, depending on the horse and its program.
Going back to the example from Equinews, this means that a Thoroughbred with a mature weight of 1100 lbs would be 506 lbs at six months, 715 lbs at twelve months/one year, and 990 lbs at twenty-two months/approx. two years.
When Does a Horse Stop Growing: Bones
Growth in a horse’s bones and joints is the most controversial topic in terms of horse growth. Many trainers and owners feel strongly about what age it is appropriate to start breaking, riding, or jumping a horse. This is largely in part to the growth process of a horse’s bones and joints.
There are studies that have shown that starting to work a horse while its bones are still developing can have negative consequences for a horse later in its career. The industry most heavily attacked by these findings is the racing industry, where horses are raced at as young as two years old. It is also commonplace for many European breeders (and even some American breeders) to be jumping horses as early as three years old and moving up the heights very quickly.
Everyone must make their own decisions regarding what is best for their horse and their horse’s training. But, in order to make these decisions, one must be informed on what the growth process is in a horse’s bones and joints.
Growth Plates
Horses have growth plates on every bone in their body, besides their skull. These growth plates can take up to six years to fuse. This doesn’t necessarily mean that horses shouldn’t be broken or ridden until they are six years old; it simply means that, until they are six, it is important to keep in mind that they are still developing.
Make sure you and your vet have a plan of action to best ensure your horse’s well-being. Your young horse should be checked by the vet regularly to make sure your horse is growing and developing correctly.
Vets can also properly assess whether a specific horse is mature enough in its growth to perform certain tasks or jobs. Every horse is different, and every rider and trainer will make different decisions.
Taking necessary precautions, regularly consulting with a vet, and staying informed on modern research are the best ways to ensure that a young horse is getting the best start possible.
Bone Minerals
Similar to growth plates, it has been proven that horses don’t hit their mature bone mineral content (BMC) until they are six-year-olds. The growth of BMC is even slower than a horse’s growth in height and weight.
Bone mineral content sounds like a fairly scientific term, but it simply means that a horse’s bones aren’t fully healthy and strong until they hit their mature BMC level at six years old. Similar to growth plates, this doesn’t mean that horses shouldn’t be ridden until they are six, it simply means that due caution should be taken until all parts of their body have fully developed.
Conclusion
When a horse stops growing can be a difficult topic to analyze. There are many aspects of a horse’s growth, but a horse should be completely done growing and developing by age six. All horses are different, and some horses can physically handle more than others at younger ages.
I hope this article helped you better understand horse growth and when horses stop growing. If so, please share this article, and share with us your experiences watching young horses grow and develop!
FAQs
Will a 3-year-old horse grow anymore?
Yes, horses will grow for their entire lives. Typically horses are considered fully grown between 5 and 7-years old. However, horses can continue growing until they reach 10 years of age. The growth rate slows down significantly after 3 years of age, but horses will still put on some weight and muscle as they get older. Proper nutrition and care are important for optimal growth at any age.
So, if you have a 3-year-old horse, don't worry - they will continue growing until they reach their full potential. Make sure to provide them with a good diet and plenty of exercise so they can reach their maximum growth rate.
How can you tell how big a foal is going to be?
There is no one definitive answer, as growth rates vary significantly between horses. However, by looking at a horse's breed and growth rate up to 3 years of age, you can get a pretty good idea of how large they will eventually be.
Foals are typically born around 33-35 inches in height and between 75 and 100 pounds. Foals will continue to grow rapidly in their first year, with growth rates slowing down in their second and third year. Foals born to small mares may be smaller than average, while foals born to larger mares can be significantly larger.
The breed also plays a large role in the size of a horse. Horses with Arabian bloodlines tend to be on the smaller side, while big horses like draft horses and warmbloods are commonly larger than average. However, growth rates can vary within a breed, and so cannot be relied upon entirely.
Does gelding a horse stunt his growth?
There is no definitive answer to this question - it depends on the individual horse. Gelding (removal of the testicles) does typically slow a horse's growth rate, but not always significantly. Gelding is typically performed at a young age (between 2 and 3 years old) to stop the growth of male hormones. Some geldings will continue growing at the same rate as their un-gelded counterparts, while others may be slightly smaller. Gelding a horse will not normally reduce its growth rate by more than 2-3% - which equates to no more than a few inches. However, growth rates vary significantly between horses and so it's not easy to make correct assumptions on their growth.
How tall should my horse be for my height?
A good rule of thumb is to pick a horse that is the same height or slightly taller than the rider. This will ensure that both horse and rider are comfortable when mounted. Horses are typically measured at the withers, which is just behind their shoulders. This corresponds to the spot where a horse's neck meets the body. A horse that is 15-16 hands tall (65 inches) will typically be able to carry an adult rider without too much trouble. However, if you are particularly tall or short, you may want to adjust this height range to fit your specific needs.
What promotes horse growth?
Proper horse feed is one of the best ways to promote horse growth. Feeding a horse correctly will ensure proper growth and muscle development throughout its entire life. It's important to make sure that a horse gets a variety of food groups in a balanced diet, as well as access to clean water at all times.
Exercise also plays a major role in horse growth. A horse needs plenty of room to move around and run, as well as regular exercise to stay healthy. If you can provide your horse with a good diet and plenty of exercise, they will continue growing until they reach their full potential.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.