>>> She sounds perfect! I love stocky ice ponies. Most horses do not stop growing until about the age of 5, this is true for most breeds. I think that ice ponies, phsyically mature a bit later. I'm sure you'll get more info from other members.
Actually, I think the RULE is the opposite; that ponies mature a little earlier. However, like with humans, there seems to be some variation between individuals, although certain growth milestones may be fairly constant. I have raised only two horses from foals to adults. One was pure QH, and the other stock-type mustang X QH. The mare (the cross) was as tall as she is now when she was two, although she filled out a LOT. The gelding (pure) was only 13H at two and continued to grow in height very slowly until he was six or seven, finally reaching about 14.2H. He looked refined until he was at least five too, but ended up being a foundation-type "bulldog" QH. The only Icelandic born here, Ima, is almost three, and she was virtually as tall at two as she is now. I almost wonder if there's a stronger gender-link than breed link...? Girls do tend to reach their mature heights at least a couple of years before boys (talking humans here) in general. Even with the same family and gender: I was as tall as I am now by age 12, but my daughter didn't reach her full height until she was 15. (BUT... maybe in human terms, I'm a "pony" at only 5'0"...? Maybe THAT'S why I grew young!) Karen Thomas [EMAIL PROTECTED]
