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ali bali
Gold Member
Scotland
641 Posts |
 Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 6:01:33 PM
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Hi, I have a 4 y.o. gelding, pure bred (about 85% crabbet if this makes any difference?!). At 9 months of age he went about an inch bum high and has stayed this way ever since. I measured him today and he is 15.1 1/2 at the withers and 15.2 3/4 at the highest point of croup, so an inch and a quarter difference.
Two questions really, firstly what are the chances of him ever levelling out?
Secondly due to being so bum high he still looks quite immature but is rather flabby and lacking muscle as he is not working. Would you break him in now to tone him up and bring him on into himself a bit more or leave him another year to mature a bit more?
He is lame at the moment so obviously starting him depends on getting that resolved first but Id be interested to hear opinions. There is no hurry, I dont want to rush him but sometimes wonder if he would benefit from a bit of work... Originally I had planned to do the basics with him over 3 weeks this summer then turn him away for the winter and start work proper next year....
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garnet
Platinum Member
2382 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 7:27:11 PM
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| I'm no expert but if his lameness is resolved before the weather gets bad (please not as early as last year!) I don't think it would do any harm to back him lightly and then turn him away over winter. I would expect him to lose the 'bum high' look over the next couple of years as he matures, muscles up and learns to carry himself in ridden work. |
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phoenixbruka
Gold Member
England
1190 Posts |
Posted - 06 Aug 2011 : 9:09:15 PM
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at 4 he'll be up and down like a yoyo!
I backed my boy at 3 1/2 and just hacked him about gently for 6 months then started work proper
He's now 6... just over 16hh... and STILL growing!  
go for it!
susie |
   
www.liveryatcordwell.co.uk |
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georgiauk
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2605 Posts |
Posted - 07 Aug 2011 : 01:33:38 AM
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| My 4 year old is also bum high, he's only doing ground work at the moment although he has been sat on, wore a saddle and has had a couple of lightweight lunging lessons. He's still very immature mentally and does still have growing and maturing to do. |
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Mags
Silver Member
354 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 09:27:41 AM
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| Im very interested to read peoples responses, iv just bought a 3yr old who is 15.1h(iv been told not put a stick on her myself yet) who is very bum high. |
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Edited by - Mags on 08 Aug 2011 09:30:24 AM |
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ali bali
Gold Member
Scotland
641 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2011 : 1:21:54 PM
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Hurrah, vets just been, Mali is sound. Down side is he is still dragging his nearside hind toe in trot  which is disappointing. However he has had both hinds flexed and trotted up, also walked and trotted up a hill where it was most apparent before and the vet couldn't see any lameness at all. In all honesty he has dragged that toe for a couple of years, being paranoid I am now concerned it may have significance but maybe its just because he is lazy or bum high....
So the vet advice is now to do controlled exercise but no turn out as he does like to gallop up and down the steep hill which the field is on. So, yikes, I'll be starting him under saddle from box rest. Normally he is quite chilled out but even trotting him up for the vet today I could tell how fresh he is feeling after 2 weeks confinement! This could be a bit more exciting than I had originally anticipated 
Thanks all for your replies, general consensus of all Ive spoken to is a little gentle work may actually help so crossing fingers and cracking on. |
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4 year old - croup high
