Long story short we recently had our equine bodyworker out and said he believed the my recently turned four year old had a lot of growing to do, he believed 2-3inches (hes already 16.3!). I didn’t really believe him but then did the string test and this showed a similar amount of growing to do, how common is this? do you believe that to be accurate?
For full reference is full sister is 5 currently 16h and looks ‘finished’ the string test also showed as much.
String tests aren’t 100% accurate predictors, obviously, but mine grew about 2" over the course of his 4th year, which is consistent with what I got doing a string test on him late in his 3rd year. I have had horses that grew (albeit slowly) through 6-7, and ones that were done at 4.
So basically, the answer is maybe. :lol:
Just curious cause I have a 4yr old, but what is the string test?
There are a few ways, but the one I’ve used is to measure from elbow to ergot, then rotate the tape (keeping one end on the elbow) up to the withers so the tape is vertical again. The height of the tape is the predicted height. So if the measurement is 2" above the current height, the horse “should” grow that much more.
Ahhh, thanks! Gonna try this tomorrow!
I did the string test this morning on my boy turning 5 in May. He’s currently 16.1 and the string test put him at 16.3. I’m a little stoked as I’m 5’8 and would love him to end up at 16.3. 
Weeeellp. I have a 7 y/o who sticked at 17.1 when he was 6. He is… no longer 17.1, that much I have determined. How far beyond that has he gotten? I am scared to measure :lol:
Geldings often grown until 7
My gelding was recently turned 5 when I bought him and definitely grew 1.5 inches over the next 2 years. It was obvious to everyone who knew him as well at the stick! He finished at 18 1/2 hands. I’m very tall so we’re a great match :yes:.
Not at all! Haha. I got my horse as a barely 3 yo, he will be 6 in a couple of weeks. He was 15.3 at 3, and he’s 15.3 now. He has always looked well-proportioned and moved in a balanced way, so I think he just matured quickly.
The other string test is mid-knee (bend the leg if you need to find it) to coronet (pull hair back if you need to find it) following the contours of the leg. Inches = hands, so 16 1/2" is 16.2
My homebred was 15.3 at 4yo, very proportional and balanced. String test suggested 16h. I sold him at 5, still 15.3h. In the fall of 6yo, his withers had sprouted and he finally reached 16h.
Yes, it’s very possible with a gelding. It seems to be much less common with mares.
My gelding grew 2.5 inches after 4 yrs. He was 16.1hh on his 4 y old birthday and finished just under 17hh. :eek:
Mine was the same size at 4. He grew over the winter and on his 5th birthday, was measured at 17.1
16h flat at 4, almost 16.2 at 6.
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