Knees

Question
Hi -
Was wondering if you've ever seen a colt (gelded as a yearling) that has open knees at 32 months?  Have given him x-rays like 5 times now - and they're always different - the last time it's hold off for 45 days - which will make him 34 months?  Is this odd?  I've never seen it before and neither has my trainer.
Thanks!
Jo

Answer
I haven't seen it often, but I have seen knees take this long to close. How  close are they?  (B, C, etc.?)

The fact that he was gelded early may have something to do with it.  Testosterone actually signals the growth plates to close, so horses who are gelded early generally do take a bit longer, since their testosterone levels are so much lower than a colt's.  
I rarely geld my boys until they're two, if they need gelded at all.  I like the extra muscle they put on when still entire, a long as they don't get too muscle-bound, and I don't really care for waiting the extra time for the growth plates to close.

Good luck with your boy,

Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com