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Question
QUESTION: Hello thanks for reading this. This might seem like a dumb question but please answer to the best of your knowledge. i have a three year old filly cross 1/2 quarter horse and i don't know what the other half is. but my question is when will she reach mature height and body build right now she is only 14.00 hands and not really that much muscle to her so is it wrong to exercise a filly or will to much exercised stunt her growth or will it help her growth. and do you think she will be any taller??

ANSWER: Exercise is always good to build good strong joints and muscles and promote growth.  Running in circles is not good exercise since the horse can develop joint issues and could impede good growth, so it depends on what you mean by exercise.  The rule of thumb is most horses get as tall as they are going to get by 3 or 4, then they can fill out and still get bigger for the next couple of years but not necessarily taller.  Some breeds grow taller later and some earlier.  At about four you will have a good idea about how big she will be, but depending on what you use her for, how much she works and builds muscle, what you feed her, how is she kept (in stall or pasture) will all affect her growth.

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QUESTION: So what kind of excersises can you do for a three year old other than circles. all i know is lundging. could you give me a few that would be good for her muscle development and tell me how long and how many times a week i have plenty of time to do what ever i need to so give me a schedule lol. thanks AGAIN.

Answer
Take it for walks, take it for a job, let it play with other horses in a big pasture area, take a ride on a Quad and lead it around, pony the horse with another horse, ride another horse and let it follow freely, circles are bad for horses, too many just use them since they can't think outside the box and find another way.  You can walk it away from barn or herd and and then let it go and it will run back to barn and herd.  Find a way, but freedom and playing with horses is best.