Something To Think About

I found following information at Parelli Connect and I´m sure glad I waited so long with Milva before starting her under the saddle. When do the bone plates in horses close this is the most important part of the growing cycle

The 3rd Phalanx – later stage of gestation
The 2nd Phalanx – birth to 6 months
The 1st Phalax – 6 months to 1 year

The 3rd Metacarpal – 8 months to 1/12 years
Carpal bones 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years
Radus, Ulna and Tibia 2 to 3 years
Humerus and Femur 3 to 3 1/2 years
Scapula and Pelvis 3 1/2 to 4 years
Tarsal Bones – 4 years
Vertabral Bones – generally up to 6 years

What does all this mean , It means that untill these plates have closed if we put them under pressure and stress that they are not ready for we comprimise the way the bones set . The spine does not close untill 5-6 yet we break in at two and three and wonder why we have so many back issue . We breed from horses that have not closed in the pelvis and we wonder why there pelvis is twisted or is on an angle . The Femur and Humerus (bones in the leg ) do not close untill 3 1/2 – 4 yrs old yet we ride them and jump them .

We the average person know nothing about this we have no idea of the damage we are causing before the horse fully matures .