Resurrecting this ancient thread because it came up in my google search…my 8yo TB I swear has gotten bigger. I’ve never actually sticked him before so I can’t confirm, but more than one person has also commented he looks bigger. I suppose it’s probably a combination of things; his topline is as good as it’s ever been, as is his weight, and he’s pretty full of himself now that he’s slick and fit - kind of has that “presence” about him now. I’ve had him a little over 2 years…no way he would’ve grown from 6 to 8, right…?
Sure he could’ve. My OTTB mare grew about 1/4" in height at the end of her 6 year old year, and certainly grew outwards in her 7 year old year. I sticked her twice a year then. She is currently 8. Sticked her a few months ago, no change.
Or, he just looks taller due to his bulking up and perhaps standing prouder. People seem to think my mare is huge, but she’s a solid 16.1hh and we’ll muscled. She stands quite proud almost all the time.
Tamarillo
Theodore O’Connor
Headley Britannia
They come immediately to mind, but I’m thinking there is a long long list of great 3*/4* event horses who were under 16hh. 
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William Micklem has just written an article for EN on how size isn’t all that important. You can read it here:
http://eventingnation.com/william-micklem-does-size-matter-in-praise-of-smaller-horses/
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In my experience tb’s typically do grow well past the age of 4 especially particular bloodlines where they grow until 7yrs old! The unbridled horses tend to be very late growers.
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I got Carson in late March just past his actual 5 year old birthdate. He was 15.3H. He was 16H even a month ago and has now grown another 1/2 an inch. I want him to stop darn it. I am short so I like smaller. 15.3 or 16H was just fine. I do not need bigger than that.
I wanted mine to be done growing when I got him in his 4 yo year at just shy of 17h. He wasn’t not by a long shot. He grew 2+ at the withers and 6 inches in blanket size in the last 2 years, and is still doing a lot of filling out. Horse is built like a tank!
I agree with the 6 estimate based on my many years working with fresh OTTB’s. The biggest change I had was a 4 yo who I bought off of the backside of a VERY bad track. Threw him in a field for 6 months with good food, pasture, hay and kindness. He was a slab sidded 15hh when I bought him as a 4 yo. That boy finished at a BIG 16.3 with a great barrel!
Really interesting article! Really makes you think about how you/we’re bringing young horses along…
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I didn’t see how dated this thread was,
haha. But I have a 15.3 4yo that I purchased as a barely 3 yo - he hasn’t grown in height and he is more petite overall, with a very balanced and athletic way of going - not sure how much he will fill out. I’m about 5’6"-5’7", and I love his compact height/size.
yup - I will say I see the most variation in height from three to five; I’ve had a few shoot up like weeds during that time.
However, some lines can get bigger + wider quite late too - GC, Unbridled, Meadowlake, and the Private Account lines I have noticed grow slow.
I don’t think they are anywhere near done growing growth-plates wise by that time, though. By 8 I think for the most part they are fully grown (growth-plates and all) and filled out. All of mine have had one last spurt their seventh + eighth year where they seem to grow a bit wider + longer, too. My more recent project (Say Florida Sandy) kept getting bigger and bigger (height and filling out) until he was 9. He’s 17h now but was 16h when I got him at 5.
This can definitely happen. I just had a similar experience with my 8yo TB mare. She finally “stood up” in her shoulders and she’s probably 16.1+ now, even though she was 15.3 when I got her as a gangly 4yo. I showed up to the barn one afternoon and I swear it happened overnight. My farrier came to trim that day and noticed it right away too. Some of them are just late bloomers. Conformation is part of it, diet is part of it, and correct trimming/shoeing is a major factor as well. So is muscling and topline, but my girl isn’t in work right now so I can’t owe her growth to that!
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I know this is an old thread but interesting! I have a 3 1/2 year old. She was malnourished when she came to me a few months ago (no grain or hay just pasture). With good feed she had grown 3" in just a few short months. Everytime she fills out, she sprouts up in the hindquarters and away we go again :lol: . I was curious how long TB’s typically grow. I don’t know if she is a slow maturing horse or if she is just finally getting good nutrition and so she is catching up. One good thing is my daughter definitely won’t outgrow her!
In the equine studies article that was referenced above, the author states that no matter the breed, horses grow until age 6. It’s a terrific article, worth reading.
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To your point, Posting Trot, I think they are pointing out a difference between “maturation” and “skeletal growth.” All horses grow til around 6+ per the article (longer for males that are tall with long necks - which fits my guy’s bill - oh boy) but some breeds mature faster to give the illusion of being finished growing (IE: QH)
Beowulf, does GC = Giant’s Causeway?
Yes. They look very big very early on (even as 3 y/os) but take a long time to fully develop and finish growing. :encouragement:
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That’d make sense. Mine is coming 3 and has not even grown into his head/neck in the slightest. He’s just shy of 16.3 right now. I’m guessing he’ll top out 17.1+ (not mad!).
I’ve had four 4-y-o TBs and none grew any taller. But I also have a 14.3 hh paint mare that fits me just fine. And I’m 5’8" with long legs.
Having bought a 16.3 H OTTB as a 5 yo, iIwas amazed when over the first winter he went to 17.2.
However, I’ve observed that by late in their 4 year, they usually are done and done.
