Hey all you Welsh/TB Breeders!

[ponylover2008]

I have a ten-month old welsh/TB cross that is looking big to me! He measures around 13 hands or so, maybe a little bit bigger. I gelded him a few weeks ago and it looks like he had a growth spurt and is looking mightly leggy and gangly right now. The only other pony I have bred was a small, and she never went through the ugly yearling stage. Can you pony breeders tell me what size your yearlings TB crosses are typically and if I should be concerned? His dam is 15.1 and the sire is 12.3. Thanks!

[VirginiaBred]

You are right on track!!!

No worries.

[Mel0309]

I agree you probably won't have any problems. I think you have to have them pretty close to 13'2 as a yearling to get a top of the line large. I freaked when my first large was exactly 13 hands as a yearling (measured on her birthday). She is now about finished at 14hands :( wish I had gotten another inch or so.

[ponylover2008]

whew...that makes me feel better!

[Sugarbrook]

Just measured my 18 month old that was recently gelded. He is 13.3 right now. Hope he ends up top of the line. If he was 13 hands at 18 months I would be worried he would finish at 13.3.

[Jsalem]

I just measured my yearling Empire's Power filly. She's right under 13.3. I also string tested her using both systems. The string tests say she should finish around 14.1.

[ponylover2008]

Can you tell me how to do the string tests? And, do they need to be yearlings before you do that? Thanks!

[showponies]

String test: measure from the coranet band to the middle of the knee. If it comes out 14 1/4 inches then your pony measurement could be around 14.1, My yearling thbd/ welsh are about 12.2- 12.3 with both measuring 14 inches on the string test....My 2 yr old, thbd/welsh is 13.3...It sounds like the height you bred shouldn't go over.

[Jsalem]

I was just checking this thread for everyone else's ideas and noticed that I made a mistake in my post. My 2 year old Empires Power (Welsh/Warmblood) is just under 13.3 and the yearling is just under 12.3. They both string test to 14.1 ish. I used both methods (the one mentioned above and the one from elbow to ergot and then swing the string up from elbow to wither). So I'm sure they'll be large- just crossing my fingers that FOR ONCE, I get a good size.

[Sugarbrook]

Here is my 18 month old. He is standing at 13.3 right now, but looks immature and butt high. I think he will be a good size large.

[Mel0309]

JSalem,

I hope you get some more size on that 2 year old. 13.3 doesn't sound like a good size for a pony 2 year old to me - most don't grow too much after that. I know mine that was 13.3 as a two year old (welsh sire/ tb dam) is now about 13.3 1/2 as a three year old. I hate ending up with bad sizes but that is what you get sometimes. Curious as to what the mare was and what size she was.

[quicksilverponies]

My 13.3 two year old 3/4 Welsh and 1/4 TB by Hidden Creeks Rain Fox is now 14.2 at the wither as a 3 yr old and 14.3 at the hip:(. Sometimes they really DO grow after their second year. Mine grew a bit too much.

[Sugarbrook]

Yes, I think 13.3 is ok for my 18 month old. Its such a tricky game we play to get the size just right. I hold my breath all the time. I am not good at doing the string tests. I always come out with a huge number that I know makes no sense. Guess I just dont know how to do them correctly!!

[VirginiaBred]

I think string tests are never accurate.

[Daventry]

I think string tests are never accurate.

Agreed! We NEVER use them. It does not take into consideration that one horse might have slightly longer legs and the same upper body as the next one. One might have a slightly longer scapula, one might end up with a mutton wither, the next one with a knifey wither. If horses all came out with identical orthopedic and skeletal measurements, the string test would definitely work. Unfortunately, not all horses and ponies are created equal!

[Sugarbrook]

OH good. I tried for years to make it work, and sometimes I came out with a size of 13.3 on a small pony using the string test!!! Thought it was just me.

[tntpony]

Sandy...that is ONE handsome fellow. Who is the mare/sire?

[Sugarbrook]

That is 18 month old Reagan. His sire is Sugarbrook Blue Pacific, and his dam is Apricot Hill by Welsh Hills. Half brother to Up Till Dawn, Blue Bayou among others.

[Jsalem]

I don't know about the string tests either. I did it several days in a row and I kept getting different things. My yearling and 2 year old are by a warmblood pony stallion, so I'm thinking they will keep growing, unlike a pure welsh.

[Star_Bound]

Ok I need to chime in with a question for all you pony breeding experts.. This is my first time owning a true youngester. He just turned a year on April 9th. I have held off on gelding him bc he was soo akward looking, and he looked so huge I was afraid of a growth spurt if I did geld! He measures just about 13.1 (slightly under), his dad is a top of the line small welsh and his mom is about 15.1 tb/qh/draft cross. His tempermant is wonderful, not studdish at all, very gentle and quiet. Do I keep him intact till the fall to get a good body on him, or geld him now?? I am soo torn with what to do -- I dont have any mares on my property, and his bottom of the herd, when I took him out to his first show (at vpba benefit) he was very well behaved and didnt seem bothered by the fillies around..
Please HELP!!