good god... please don't get that big!

[TBlitz]

Today I got out and finally measured the little man that I'm completely in love with. He's now 11 months old as of March 3, so we're getting closer to being able to accurately predict height. I took a measuring tape out and measured from his knee joint down to the start of his hoof and read just under 18 inches :eek:. Baffled, I repeated at least 4 times, getting nothing less than 17 3/4 inches. He's currently just under 15 hh in front and just over 15.1 at the butt. I'm trying to figure out how to do the other string test, but with just me (who makes everything complicated).

Is he really going to get that big? Now I'm not small (and I have a very muscular build), but 17.2+ of Irish Draught seems like a monster to me. Anyone know of a young (20-25), single, horsey man who has long enough legs to ride my horse? I'm currently single! :D I'm too in love with the little man to get rid of him, but he just may end up being a mammoth, and my legs aren't THAT long.

[horsetales]

I can't help you too much, but I feel some of your pain. My one RID girl measured 17.1 at her inspection. So at 2 and 17.1, I expect I'm looking at 17.2 or more. I'm afraid of getting altitude sickness :lol: And yes, to make matters worse I'm a wopping 5'3" - I already told SO, guess that makes her yours (he's 6') and the 16.2 RID mare is mine. Can't wait to see your boy someday! Sorry can't help on the tall handsome fellow to help either ;)

[BelladonnaLily]

Well, the string test was a total bust for me. I checked instructions carefully, and measured many times and I always got that my filly was going to mature between 17.0 1/4 and 17.1. She is 15.2 now and will be 2 next week. I don't think we're seeing 17 hands. Thank goodness.

But, if he is almost 15 hands at not quite 1 yr old, I'd say you have a very good chance of having a huge boy :yes:

[camohn]

Today I got out and finally measured the little man that I'm completely in love with. He's now 11 months old as of March 3, so we're getting closer to being able to accurately predict height. I took a measuring tape out and measured from his knee joint down to the start of his hoof and read just under 18 inches :eek:. Baffled, I repeated at least 4 times, getting nothing less than 17 3/4 inches. He's currently just under 15 hh in front and just over 15.1 at the butt. I'm trying to figure out how to do the other string test, but with just me (who makes everything complicated).

Is he really going to get that big? Now I'm not small (and I have a very muscular build), but 17.2+ of Irish Draught seems like a monster to me. Anyone know of a young (20-25), single, horsey man who has long enough legs to ride my horse? I'm currently single! :D I'm too in love with the little man to get rid of him, but he just may end up being a mammoth, and my legs aren't THAT long.

Well he might not be almost 18H at maturity but it is probably pretty safe to say he will be at least 17H at his present size........he will still be some sort of big!!

[jilltx]

I have a 3/4 TB 1/4 RID mare that measured exactly the same as your boy as a yearling 15.1 in front (18.0 string test, knee to coronary band). The vet SWORE she would easily reach 17.0 +. At two she was 15.2+ in front and 15.3+ behind. At three she was 15.3 in front and 16.0 behind. She will turn 6 in April and she is exactly 16.1 and 3/4.

She looks much bigger because she is so ginormous everywhere. Huge, wide chest. Huge gaskins. Huge sloping shoulder. Butt to spare. Most people think she's a hanoverian when they meet her...until they see her move. :lol:

Your boy might end up that big, but he might just be an early, quick bloomer too. :)

Just imparting my personal experience with a similar breed!

[TBlitz]

I have a 3/4 TB 1/4 RID mare that measured exactly the same as your boy as a yearling 15.1 in front (18.0 string test, knee to coronary band). The vet SWORE she would easily reach 17.0 +. At two she was 15.2+ in front and 15.3+ behind. At three she was 15.3 in front and 16.0 behind. She will turn 6 in April and she is exactly 16.1 and 3/4.

She looks much bigger because she is so ginormous everywhere. Huge, wide chest. Huge gaskins. Huge sloping shoulder. Butt to spare. Most people think she's a hanoverian when they meet her...until they see her move. :lol:

Your boy might end up that big, but he might just be an early, quick bloomer too. :)

Just imparting my personal experience with a similar breed!

Thank you for giving me hope! :D He doesn't have anyone over 17hh in his pedigree (that I'm aware of). I bought him without expecting him to get Xtra tall, taking into account his parent's height and the fact he's his mom's first baby.

I think I can deal with 17hh if he gets there... but over 17.2 is when I might start worrying. :yes: (and man-hunting)

horsetales- what's your mare's pedigree? I'm wondering if there might be a common height thrower in there somewhere.

So no one found a man for me?!? So much for using this board instead of online dating sites! :winkgrin::lol:

[jilltx]

Hope it made you feel better, TBlitz, but, you just never know! ;)

My mare is also a "firstborn" out of 15.3+ TB mare and by a 17.0 hand stallion. I was hoping for 16.0-16.2, bay filly, little bit of white and the mare filled the order to a "T". :)

Sorry about the man! Can't help you there. ;)

[redhorse5]

My baby is now off the stick. Over 18HH and a real gem. I have to say that riding him he just does not seem large. He's well balanced and feels completely normal to me. You just have to get used to it. I'm only 5'3 and have to get up on the three step block to get on but I wouldn't trade him for the world. Don't despair.

[FLIPPED HER HALO]

A TB I had a few years ago was 17.2 hands and thick boned. I am 5'3" and used to laugh and say, "I don't need to diet. I just keep getting bigger horses!" Ah, those big ones make you look so tiny! Personally I prefer the tall ones.....mine are all over 16 hands.

[JB]

The other string test is to take a string from the point of the elbow down to the ergot, then pivot the string around the elbow to the other end is now above that. That is your presumed final height.

Keep in mind that if a horse has genetically long cannon bones, the predicted height using the knee to coronet band length will be too tall, and likewise if the cannons are overly short, it will be too small.

[Ibex]

If I recall correctly, my coach did a string test on her last baby that suggested he'd be around 16.1. And he is. At 22 months (he'll be 2 in May). :eek:

Mom is 16hh, and Dad is 16.2...

[work4horse]

didn't do teh string test, but I knew when he was born and was at my waist and a bit higher then (I'm 5'6) I knew he was going to be ginormous. He isn't technically two until May but he is already 16.1hh. Yup, I think he is going to finish on teh taller side of things. He will kily be like his big sister...want to do everything big....jump big, big strides. Of course he is on teh lower side of wattage intelligence so he maybe easier to break than his sister (she was very resistant to be broken, took a bit longer. Wore a surcingle for two weeks before she would settle down to that pressure. Likely a wise idea they sent her to someone very knowledgable.)

Hopefully doodly dude won't be so hard. Like "here is a saddle, oh look it's attached. Is that ok? great now we can discuss teh finer aspects of moving with me sitting there and you just putzing along for the first little bit. Don't kill me or you won't get fed tonight"

[Rival]

Measuring the cannon bones is useless. My filly measures at 14.2. Given that she already stands 15.2 or 3 you can see the problem. My 17.1 hander stood 16 hands at a year. If yours is 15 hands I am guessing you will get something in the 16.1 or 2 range.

[Ladybug Hill]

Yes, if you calculate height by considering the yearling height to be 90% of mature height then you will probably get just over 16.2 hands. You can't really predict these things for sure.

[Ride'emCO]

I think predicting is useless - often makes us feel better, but really we never know.

My gelding was 13.1 when he was 13 months old. He has always been a slow, steady grower. He is now 4 1/2 (5 in June) and measures just 16hh even, front and back. I think he has another half inch or even an inch in him to finish at 16.1hh or just under; he still looks like a "kid", sort of gangly and unfinished, with LOTS of filling out to do.

I would have predicted your horse would hit 16.3 EASILY, but others have posted different experiences, hence my statement that you just can't predict height. :no:

[horsetales]

horsetales- what's your mare's pedigree? I'm wondering if there might be a common height thrower in there somewhere.

So no one found a man for me?!? So much for using this board instead of online dating sites! :winkgrin::lol:

Both of my mares are by the same stallion Glenlara (Pride of Shaunlara line), but the big girl is out of Knockaderry Pearl by Mountain Pearl - so this is where the size is coming from as dam is 17.1. I knew she would most likely be tall, but I didn't think or hope she would go past sire and dam :o

[BeastieSlave]

Hmmm, this thread made me break out my measuring tape. My guy is 17 1/2"+ from the center of his knee to top of his hoof (coronet band). Is that where I'm supposed to measure? He turned one a few days ago and his mom is a very big gal so it could be right...
I forgot about the string test! I'll try that tomorrow.