Hello all. I have a just turned 3 yr old blue roan/shire mix, Lily Blue, who was a rescue PMU who is currently 14.2 and about 900 pounds. She was last measured in December 2007 & was the same size. She has rather large feet and feather hooves. She is doing well in training and looks like she will be heading into dressage when older. My question is I am worried that she has not grown since December. Should I be worried? I am hoping she will get taller or at least a little broader and longer. If she stays this size, she will be too little for me. I know that horses grow up until 6 or 7 years old. My trainer says I shouldn't worry about her size until she hits 6 as horse can have growth spurts. Her horse was smaller than my  baby and hers is now 15.2. I do not know anything about Lily's parents as she was a rescue.  She has definitely grown since I bought her last August 2007. I am just worried that she has not grown as other babies at the barn have been in growth spurts. I am quite attached to her already and couldn't bear it if she doesn't sprout just a little more for me. Anyone out there had a small baby at age 3 and were worried about height & then they sprouted  up? Any advice much appreciated

I heard once that if the growing foal is underfed, then it can result in an under size horse.  This is due to the leg length and some undernourishment issues.  Florida Horseman posted a formula on adult size based on young horse cannon bone length.  You might search that formula.  Other than that, if she is 3, part draft and still that small, that is unusual as far as I know.  I too have a PMU baby, part Belgian and he is just turning 4 and already topping over 16 hands.  See the pinto in my sig standing next to my 15 hand mare. You might also get a vet's opinion

Thanks for the reply. We know she is blue roan and were told she has shire in her but could also have quarter horse. Unfortunately, I didn't see her parents. I don't have a problem with her size if it stays at 14.2 as long as she grows longer and a little broader. If she stays pony size, I will be too tall for her. I guess I will have to wait and see if she hits a growth spurt

Yes, she can still grow.  I have a TB x Appaloosa mare that at 3 was about 14 hands, she is ended up around 16 hands.  How tall are you?  Unless you are well over 6 feet tall, it is unlikely she'll be to small for you at 14.2 hands. 

Spotted Pony

Thanks. That makes me feel better. I am 5'5" and about 137 pounds. My trainer says that Lily will be ok if she gets longer. I had previously leased a horse that was Lily's size but she was broader and I looked fine on her.  I was just surprised when I measured her yesterday because she looks taller to me and other people at the barn say she looks taller. 

As far as your size goes, I ride a 14.1 (stretching) QH mare, about 850-900lbs and I weigh 160 and am 5'7, so unless it really bothers you, size is not an issue. Well, not for me and my mare, as as far as the trphy's show, we can still work some cows......but of course, she's bred to be that small.

However,I do think your mare will grow. My gelding, at 2 1/2, didn't grow for at least 6 months, and right at his 3 year old year, or a little after, he went from 13.3 to 14.3, so don't worry, I think she's still got some growing to do, and most horses widen out with age.

I used to have a RMH. At 2 1/2 or 3, he was 14.1 and I was happy (I'm short). But by 5 years he was 15.2! So don't give up hope ;)

My 3 y/o is 13.2ish and I'm hoping she DOESN"T grow hehe ;)

Jessi

thanks so much to all! All your advice makes me feel so much better! I am holding out hope she will grow or at least fill out more. I was hoping for her to hit 15 hands or just grow a little more. I don't want to go to dressage shows in the future and have the judges judge me based on how I look on Lily.  Iam really attached to her and she is coming along so well. My trainer told me not to worry as she just turned 3 and sometimes they don't grow for awhile and then go into a growth spurt. I plan to measure her again end of summer and will hopefully post that she grew.

Thanks. Yes she is the one in my picture. She was kicking and chewing on the cavalleti pole before I took that picture. She is very playful. That picture was from last summer. This year her coat is much lighter and her legs and head are jet black. She is getting so pretty