Ridecamp: Re: [RC] The Aging Equine Athlete!

> > > I think a lesson that can be gained from this, is that foundation >
> is > important, even more than starting age.
>
> Do you think that the fact that Kahlil was a small horse contributed?
> Seems to me that some of the big guys might need a little longer to
> mature.

Actually, even the small ones are often not fast to mature.  (Most of ours
are in the 14.2 to 15 h range, and I'd go Jim Holland one better and say
that the average age of maturity is closer to 7 than 6 years.)  I think that
why the smaller ones on the average last longer is because in most cases
they are better balanced and better conformed.  It is very difficult to find
an Arab much over 15 or 15.1 that is truly balanced--there are a few out
there, and those that are seem to hang together ok, too.  But most
taller/larger Arabs get their height by being out of proportion--longer
cannon bones, incorrect angulation, etc.--and that's not conducive to
athletic longevity.

Heidi


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