Growth plates in horses: Everything you need to know about bone growth and the development of the horse's body

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Growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, play a central role in bone growth in horses. Longitudinal bone growth occurs in these plates. While these areas are fully ossified in adult horses, they are still cartilaginous in foals and young horses and thus particularly susceptible to injury. Too early or excessive strain, such as that caused by excessive athletic demands or the use of side reins, can lead to permanent damage to the growth plates.

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This knowledge is essential for the species-appropriate training and age-appropriate training of horses. It shows us that young horses should be nurtured gently and not fully exercised until a certain age.

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Overview of the age stages of growth plate adhesions:

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• Hoof bones : fuse at about six months of age.
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• Cannon bone : The joints here grow together until the age of about 1.5 years.
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• Carpus joint : Fusion occurs between 1.5 and 2.5 years.
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• Forearm (radius) : The lower joints close at the age of about 2.5 years, the upper ones about six months later.
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• Upper arm : The growth plates grow together between the ages of 3 and 3.5 years.
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• Scapula : Fusion occurs between 3.5 and 4 years.
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• Thigh : Is fully fused at the age of 3 to 3.5 years.
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• Hip : Complete fusion occurs at the age of 3 to 4 years.
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• Sacrum : The growth plates do not close until the age of about 5 years.
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Conclusion

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Bone development and the fusion of the growth plates provide a clear indication of when horses are physically capable of bearing greater loads. Especially during the first years of life, it is important to ensure slow, gentle, and horse-friendly training so that the growth plates have sufficient time to fully develop and fuse.

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