About Jessica Hughes Expertise I can answer diet and nutrition questions regarding performance, breeding/raising young horses, showing, and pleasure riding needs. I can answer questions regarding riding and training problems or advice. I can answer questions regarding equine behavior problems. I can answer questions regarding show horses, how to groom the english or western horse for the horse show arena. I can answer any general question regarding horses.
Experience My expertise includes owning and running a successful show and boarding facility. I have done much research on the nutritional needs of all different types of horses and how their digestive system works and how to keep that healthy. I have shown and trained horses for cutting, western pleasure, halter, breed show all around, and currently hunter/jumpers on the hunter curcuit. I have also raised babies and bred my own mares for the last 5 years specializing in thoroughbreds, warmbloods, and welsh ponies. I also give lessons to all types of riders. I evented for 3 years.
Organizations I currently belong to Blue Ridge Hunter Jumper Association and American Quarter Horse Association.
Education/Credentials I apprenticed under Mark Poovey an accomplished cutting horse trainer for 4 years where I was assistant trainer and barn manager. I have ridden under and participated in many clinics under such people as George Morris and Daniel Geitner. I have also worked as a vet tech at a local veterinarian. I attended Isothermal Community College where I attained my business degree.
Awards and Honors I was #8 in the nation in 1994 with the American Paint Horse Association at the end of that year in the event of Working Hunter 18 & Under. I was also 4th at the AQHA World Show in 1994 in the event of Hunter Under Saddle Youth Team Tournament. I won many year end awards with the APHA during that year. I also won the Raleigh Cutting Horse Futuritiy in the youth division in 1994. I was leader of a local 4-H group for many years.
Past/Present Clients Hope Bleeker, Freda Jessen, Judy Scott, Sharon Scruggs, Elizabeth White, Jackie Gardinier, Laura Bailey, Kevin Hamby, Jane Juanaco,
Anne Schager, Diane Randolph
Question hi i dont no if you could answer this or not but i have a 2.5 year old guelding and i have been feeding him grain. he is 14- 14.1 hands high right now and what my question is how big do you think he would get?
Answer Hi Amanda, It's hard to say without knowing the breed and heights of parents. Some breeds such as drafts and warmbloods mature slower and will grow in height until the age of 5 or 6. Arabians, QH (any stock type breed), and Thoroughbreds will usually stop growing in height around the age of 3-4. There are always exceptions with any breed or cross, though. Your horse may grow two more inches or four more inches, it's hard to say without knowing the history. As your horse is in his growing years you need to feed a grain higher in protein. Studies have been done regarding young horses who are still growing getting fed high protein good quality grain and hay and the same age group getting fed just hay. The outcome was the same with both groups, it just took the group who wasn't getting the grain longer to catch up but they eventually did. So, in other words just because you are feeding grain doesn't mean your horse is going to be any bigger than he would be without it. However, your horse will have healthier muscles and bones if fed a balanced diet and kept at a healthy weight during his growing years. Good luck, Jessica
