How old is a horse when it stops growing

In this article, I will discuss all three of these growth categories to determine when a horse is done growing in each and overall. Equinews illustrates this in an example of a thoroughbred, whose full height would be about This horse would be Horses also grow out in length in about the same time as height.

Their spine lengthens as they grow taller. A horse will grow out more slowly than they grow up. Young horses are often below the average weight until they have had time to fill out and gain muscle and fat they need to be a healthy, mature horse. Many trainers and owners feel strongly about what age it is appropriate to start breaking, riding, or jumping a horse. There are studies that have shown that starting to work a horse while its bones are still developing can have negative consequences for a horse later in its career.

Horses that are started too aggressively under saddle may suffer damage to the legs and growth plates, though this is usually rare.

Later in life, these horses are at an increased risk for needing joint injections. Their backs could also suffer damage. While horses have unique personalities and demeanors, most reach a mature level at five to seven years old. This is especially important when planning your training sessions. Young, immature horses may struggle to focus. They may also be playful and have an abundance of energy. It can be fun watching your horse grow and develop both physically and mentally.

Take time to enjoy these moments and not rush your horse. There will be plenty of time to train and ride! Emily Fought discovered her passion for horses early on in life.

When she isn't writing about them, you can find her in the barn riding. Although Emily's background is in dressage, she enjoys cross-training and is an avid trail rider. She resides in Northeastern Ohio with her husband and small dog. Together, they own and operate Humblewood Farm. Emily not only writes for YourHorseFarm.

You may want to know whether it's time to start breaking in your horse, or simply how much taller he's going to grow. It's important not to start riding a young horse too early in his development, as it can cause physical or psychological damage. It's hard to give a specific age when horses stop growing, because this varies wildly among different breeds. While most horses reach their full adult height between the ages of 4 and 5, some tall, heavy breeds won't reach their full height until they're around 8 years old.

Horses grow much more quickly at first, before greatly slowing down. The majority of breeds reach about 90 percent of their adult height by age 2, taking at least another 2 years to grow that remaining 10 percent. Horses have growth plates on either end of every bone in their bodies, other than their skull, which allow their bones to grow. These plates at the end of their bones are made from cartilage, but once they've finished growing they convert to bone and become more durable and less susceptible to damage.

The plates belonging to bones that are involved in how tall a horse gets -- such as hocks, tibias and femurs -- have usually fused by around 4 years of age.