Re: RC: questions with foals....

[Lif Strand <fasterhorses@gilanet.com>]

At 06:33 PM 3/29/00 -0800, Karen wrote:
> 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

1)  We used to start young horses in harness & then have them
pull things.  First small logs, then tires, then a kind of sledge
thing we made.  (The latter two pile up a lot of dirt in front of
them and get heavier the farther the horse goes).  Pulling seems to
be really great for backs, plus you can have them pull when they're young
(if they don't pull too much weight), it teaches them reining & gives
them an "anchor" if they get too feisty!  Also gets them
used to things flopping around their legs & body.

2)  Latest we ever had a horse grow was when he was 7.  Grew an
inch in height, and a halter size.  3/4 Arab, 1/4 Welsh pony. 
Lif

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