There is alot of debate about the size a horse will mature to. If a horse doesn't get *that* big someone always says "Well, that horse just wasn't fed right when it was young and growing....."

What do you belive? Is the size already in the horse's DNA or does feeding (overfeeding) make them grow?

Some peopl belive high protein, some people belive NO protein, or very little. Which way do you go and how does it work for you?

There is a considered genetic predisposition for growth (multiple genes involved) - whether or not a horse reaches that potential is dependent on their environment (feeding being a factor). Overfeeding doesn't necessarily make a horse taller, however it can cause that growth to happen much more rapidly than it normally would.

Horses need a balanced ration, which includes all of the nutrients (protein being just one).

Beth

Environmental factors such as feed can definitely play a part in the development of any living thing. I was told that a particular horse was small because she was starved as a youngster. when I did a bit of pedigree research, I found that her bloodline was full of Raffles, top and bottom many crosses. So although the feeding may have been a contributing factor, she was also genetically predisposed as well.

Protien is important to the growth of muscle...For humans, the body only needs so much protien before it just starts getting rid of the extra...not sure if the same for horses...but hey there' is my 2 cents worth

a horse can be stunted if improperly fed but the biggest height factor is genetics...proof? I have two full sisters both raised with similar feeding one is barely 14.1 and the other is pushing 15.0

Do you guys think that different strains/bloodlines mature faster/slower?

We used a stallion in our program and ALL of his offspring mature slowly. We have two sons and a daughter of this stallion and the daughter is a 3 year old and still growing but probably only about 14.1 right now, the first son just hit 14.3 this year as a four year old, and the other son (out of a 15.1 mare) is a 2 year old and 14.3 and still growing. So there are definitely lines that mature sloweer than others.

The 3 year old filly was only about 13.2 at the beginning of this year. Her growth spurt started when we moved to a different boarding facility with better grass and that feeds higher quality feed and hay than where we were before. They actually get less feed and hay but are all in much better overall condition than they were at the previous facility, which had less grass, fed only Coastal hay (and not much of it) and used generic horse feed. We think in her case feed has definitely been a factor, too.

From what I have read I would say this is the case. I have not had first hand experience with many different strains so can not give a personal opinion, other than to say all my horses seem to keep growing until at least five. That is not just height but also substance (filling out). Is that maturing slowly, I don't know.

Exercise also is a factor in growth...plenty of room to run and race actually stimulates growth...along with all of the above
Joanne

Definitely...but give me a slow maturing line over one that looks adult at 2 years old any day. They seem to be more sound and hardy overall and continue to be more beautiful as they age.... alot of the horses I've seen that have been "all grown up" as a 2 year old tend to coarsen as they get older. JMHO