Question by : How can I tell if my horse is fully grown so we can start barrel racing?
I heard their knees shut or close, I felt my old horses knees to compare them to my young horse and I didn’t feel a difference but I want to make sure. So what are some other ways to tell if he’s full grown?
My horse is four almost five if that helps. Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Morgan
If she’s 5 then go for it because now they just closed and she is filled out and ready for training!
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The only way to be sure the joints have fused is to have x-rays. Most vets have digital machines so it is easy to look at the joints.
Horses will grow until the age of seven (mostly filling out after the age of five). By the age of five you are looking at the spine. Barrel racing can be a taxing sport. At the age of five you can start working her on barrels but lightly. The following article will give you and excellent source of info for growth of a horse.
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/young_horses/69350
I’m posting one of the most widely read and well known articles on the subject of equine skeletal maturation that is written by an internationally renowned expert on equine conformation and anatomy, Dr. Deb Bennett. It is lengthy, but well worth the time it takes to read. Skeletal maturation occurs from the ground up for the most part, and the last bones to mature (growth plates close) are the vertebrae, with those at the base of the neck being the last. The bones of the spine are significantly more important to be concerned about when starting young horses in athletic performance than most people realize. I strongly recommend reading this article. it includes a chart listing the various bones and when their growth plates close, as well as a dental chart.
You would be doing your horse a favor to wait until he is at least 5 1/2 to 6 years old before training for barrels. An average height horse will be skeletally mature by that age, regardless of breed. Taller horses of any breed will still grow until the age of 7 or 8.
Here is the article………………………..
http://www.equinestudies.org/ranger_2008/ranger_piece_2008_pdf1.pdf
Most 3 yr olds you can see the knees not closed yet just by looking. I would think that comming 5 they should be pretty well closed providing the horse has had good care and feed in the past.
You most certainly could start doing some light training on him now but not that kind of stuppid over again and again training like a lot of novice people do. That will just make the horse hate it. I believe that a horse should be well trained and soft in the bridle before anyone will start jamming them through the barrels.