questions with foals....

["Karen Sullivan" <greymare@jps.net>]

I took all my horses to the vet for their annual shots (rabies) 5 way and teeth check.

 

One is the Arab/QH filly that is 10 mos old.  The vet carefully checked her joints and felt they looked great.  She is almost 14 hands, feet trimmed regularly, wormed regularly, turned out, and also taken on short rides since weaning-up to 1 hour  (vets reccomendation)  My question is this-the vet suggested that I pony her on rides with a saddle-to get her used to carrying weight and especially, to strengthen her back.  What do you all think of this?  I would not have thought to put weight on her back until she was much older; Deb Bennet reccomends to wait until they have full growth.

 

Also, my comming 4 year old filly (Arab) is about 14.2 barely.  The vet felt she would not grow in height any more, but the breeder, and another breeder claim their Arabs grow until age 10.  Any ideas on this. the vet was fairly adamant that once the growth plates are closed, thats it for the height.  This mare still looks pretty immature and somewhat downhill in conformation, though both parents are over 15 hands.

 

Since both horses will probably be used for distance, I hope this is relevant.  Both horses are first attempts to "build" a good distance horse.

 

Karen