WOW!! This is a lot of info. Good Stuff. Thank you. D'na

time to bring this one back

Cloudy - Thanks for bringing this back up. It certainly is appropriate at this time! Dr. Deb is great, and I have always read everything I could find, and even studied some of her works when in Equine Sports Massage School several years ago. She was great then, and still is! Vicky

With the discussion relating to the racing filly, I brought this back to the front... Cloud

Excellent post folks. It kept me interested all of the way through. I've often wondered about this subject as my 4 year old Latte (on Mar 7th 07) still didn't appear to have his confirmation. Living on a polo farm - others have commented that he's done growing and has it. I disagreed due to loss of shoes - over reaching with those long legs of his, large head, high withers but lower than hindquarters. It's nice to know that he's not finished growing but scary as he's 17 hands already... lol. So, if I read correctly he should finish out sometime between 6-8 years??? He's AQHA but was bred for the track - Dash for Cash bloodline.

Irlanda, my 4 yo was almost her current size as a yearling. Ppl couldn't believe I wasn't riding her at 2. Why would I? If you do the mathematical equation for age, you wouldn't ask a person to do such hard work. Good for you and stick to your plan. My Tosha was with us until 32 when I had to make that decision. She was in good health; however, due to the neighbor's activities, she twisted in her small intestines from stress. Otherwise, she was in excellent health, weight, and mind!

Hey Cloudryder, Thanks for that great reference to the article by Dr. Deb Bennett (page 4, this post). I finally got around to reading it, and it is a very clear explanation of the maturation process in horses. That article, and the one by Dr. Robert Miller (www.equine-reproduction.com/articles/Horse-Lovers.shtml) ought to be read by everyone involved with horses.

Incredible post! thank you for sharing. I have a young stud colt (two years and five months old), and reading your article answered all my questions. He is a big Warmblood, so everyone is telling me to start him slowly, I tell them I have all the time in the world, I want him with me for a long, long time, I want to watch every stage of his life...he is my companion, I am in no rush. Thank you again for posting this super important piece of information.

Finally, ppl that feel as I do. The youngest I will breed is 4 as I believe their backs aren't fused until then. My goal is to put a saddle on my horse no ealier than 3; however, my 4 yo and 3 yo have NOT had a saddle on yet. They do every little thing I ask from the ground just from my handling them daily. I have seen 2 yo that are being ridden regularly and just 3 yo in foal. I have a rescued barrel racer that is the same age as my 22 yo gelding who was started "late" (age 5). Molly looks to be 10 yrs older than my gelding. My vet and farrier have told me the only reason Molly has made it to 22 is because of the good care she gets and that most barrel racers don't make it to that age. WHY? They have given all they can to the human, why are they not given the same in return? I raise foundation appaloosas and believe in quality not quanity. I only wish every horse owner would read the first posts and listen! AAAApps

Filly, don't be sorry shugah, you didn't get off subject, but stayed the course!! I understand what you said, and it's the same in western disciplines. What you lack in technological experience, you have in conformational expertise. I think, if you were to watch a few performances in any discipline, you could train a horse to do a passable performance. Just remember that a horse is a horse...... ;)