Do necks go through a funky growing phase? Filly is a 3yr old ISH (tb on top of an ish dam) and appears to be going through a funny growth spurt. Right now she appears very short necked and I’m wondering how much that might change? I haven’t seen her at any other phases of growth for comparison. Neither parent is very long but neither are quite so stumpy necked either and older siblings seem normal.
I think what you see now is what you get, in terms of proportion - but some necks on younger horses look awfully short until they’re muscled. I’ve noticed with some they might grow out a smidge but it usually grows in proportion with their body. I wouldn’t expect a Stumpy-Bighead to change into a Swan-necked adult, by any means. I was trying to find a picture of my current project, who in proportion to his body has a shorter neck than ideal – in his race listing pix he looks short as all get out but in a more recent picture his neck seems longer because he’s correctly muscled now. Maybe I’ll snap a pic later to show.
If I had to pick between a too-long neck and a too-short, it’d always be too-short. IMHO it’s easier to ride them a little more “up and out” vs longer necks which tend to want to curl BTV.
Lots of short-necked horses in SJ these days…
The neck fairy can come anytime before the spinal growth processes close finally, which is rather late.
Would love to see pictures to get an idea of just how short of a neck we’re taking here. I think it can go either way depending on the individual. Some may lengthen after 3 years, some only get more width. Don’t fret too much over a short neck. In my opinion, too short is better than too long if there is a strong hind end.
My now 8 year old went through the most godawful growth spurts where everything was out of proportion. She is beautiful now, but I have given up waiting on that last growth spurt of a longer neck. It doesn’t look bad at all, but ideally I’d like more. Her mom and full sister have very long necks.
With Irish in her I’d expect her to muscle up and when the topline is improved she will look longer. Besides, what can you do? Seems to me I thought one of mine was short-necked, but it didn’t end up that way and I’m one who loves a long neck, which does not seem to the the view of some here. I love “length of rein” dating to my TB days. Some say it helps put the centre of gravity further back…
I can’t help with the future of your 3 year old, but I will join you in worries about the finished product coming out balanced. I’ve got a 2 year old ISH filly who is teasing me with this finished horse thing. She also is currently lacking the neck to match her massive body (seriously, girlfriend has a shoulder on her only matched by a massive rear end, she’s just at 16.1 (front, rear is at 16.2), but measures 83" when I did a quick measurement wondering what my blanket situation would be this winter. She has a very attractive head, but sadly, my best horse size bridle won’t fit, I’ve had to buy her a cheap oversize one (surprisingly nice quality for the price Ovation Euro.). But her neck, well it’s just this thing her head’s hung on with. Not really inspiring, not the swan neck of her dam (ok, a swan neck would seem a bit out of place on her). When I close one eye and look at her, I can see that her neck ties in nicely, that things could work out here but we need a bit, um MORE. I feel your pain!
The spine is among the last structures to finish growing, along with the hocks. So backs, and necks, can get longer.
I would also look at whether she’s actually holding her neck in. After going through this with my own horse several years ago, I’ve come to realize that a LOT of horses hold themselves with a scrunched in neck, either due to poor riding, some body soreness, or just a way they learned as they were growing. My “short necked” horse (who also has a short back) actually has a really nice neck LOL
Thanks for all the feedback, guys! She isn’t mine, I’m just considering her, so I’m not comfortable posting any photos but I appreciate the input. It isn’t horribly short, but it doesn’t fit the rest of her so I was just curious.
There are times we pray for the Neck Fairy to appear!!!
Between 2-3 is when I often think about hiding my guys behind a barn depending on their growth spurts. My 2.5yr old currently has NO neck. It is a bit sad. I keep telling myself that she will be lovely someday, her mother and father both have gorgeous necks… But right now she looks like a ox. Sigh. She has a pretty backend at least.
[QUOTE=rememberthenight;8788311]
Between 2-3 is when I often think about hiding my guys behind a barn depending on their growth spurts. My 2.5yr old currently has NO neck. It is a bit sad. I keep telling myself that she will be lovely someday, her mother and father both have gorgeous necks… But right now she looks like a ox. Sigh. She has a pretty backend at least.[/QUOTE]
I would love to compare 2.5 year olds with you. I love quite a few parts on mine, they just haven’t all gotten quite tied together in a smooth flowing package yet.
This has been a great thread. Can we re-open it and get some updates from the folks who have 2.5 - 3 year old horses? Any updates on neck length? Come on… give us hope!
