Glad to hear that Nicanor is well. Quick question - How are you aware that he is going through this growth spurt - does he act in a different manner than before? -may be a silly question - just someone wanting to learn.  Thank you.  All the best.  Darcy

I'm so happy to see that Matz is taking it slowly with him and letting him come into his own. Michael Matz is one of the best horseman I have ever heard of, he doesn't let anyone tell him whats best for a horse. To let them mature and grow is the best thing for them...just look at Curlin!

Amanda,

Any new news on Lentenor to report??

Matt

great to hear he's doing well! michael and peter are fine horsemen. i CANNOT wait for his first race!:)

I would like to know why you can not breeze a horse when he is growing? Wil it cause permanent damage? Thank you so much for you time!

Thanks very much for the update... I was just wondering at what age a thoroughbred stops growing?  I recall reading somewhere that Barbaro grew while he was at New Bolton.  

It is wonderful to hear that Michael Matz, Peter Brette and the Jacksons continue to do the right thing for their beloved horses.  I love that Nicanor is having a growth spurt.  Can't wait to see pics of the boy as he grows maybe as big as Barbaro !!!

I too would love to hear updates on Lentenor as well.

Just SO happy to hear about this equine family that feels like a part of our own family.

Thanks for the more frequent updates.

thats good, me and my friend are excited with him, just like we are with any horse!! We will be rootin for him no matter where he goes or wat he does!  Go Nicanor!!!

Thank you for the updates on a growing boy!  Michael/Peter are the best!  Obviously, the Fair Hill meals are very good and healthy for little 'Nicky Knocks'!  How great that they are witnessing the growth spurt, and know exactly what the little angel needs!

Do you know when Nicanor will get to the races?

Thanks for the info.  At what age are horses full grown?  Does it very w/ breed?

Wow Nicanor is beautiful!! He'll be a good racer with Matz training him!!

Caitlin, your post broke my heart.  So sad.  As for Nicanor, I've been asking and asking and it is now confirmed that he has grown.  It looks like he's grown a LOT.  Photos of him with Peter aboard, next to Michael on his horse confirm just how much he has grown in the last 2 months.  He's taking after his Daddy and is going to be a big fella! He is breathtakingly beautiful, whatever size he is.

Here's a question.  When does a horse like Nicanor stop growing?  Once they begin racing, do they race through growth spurts?  It was apparent that he had a significant growth spurt in the last couple of months, when I saw the DVD and pictures from July 12.

Don't forget, for all his fame and glory, Nicanor and Lentenor are just like Barbaro in one sense, they are all Mr. Prospector (fragile ankles) grandsons. So, if Mr. Prospector's fragile ankles gene can be bred out, Nicanor and Lentenor will possibly have the chance Barbaro didn't have.

So happy to have Nicanor news.  I have noticed this is the second time Peter has used the words "very pleased" when talking about Nicanor.

So during this time the gallop is to keep him in condition but not to overly stress him?

You basically don't want to work new bone too intensly, because it hasn't had the chance to 'remodel' or adapt to the stress forces placed upon it at intense levels.  There is approximately 4000lbs or pressure placed on the leg when worked at high speed.

Hi!

Nic is so cute. He looks alot like Barbaro.Do you think is a bigger horse than Barbaro? Could you compare and contrast Nicanor's personality to Barbaro's? How is his temperment? Kris

Most horses continue growing until they are 4-5 yrs old. There are SOME lines tat will even put on alittle more height up to 7 yrs old.  A growing horse of ANY breed is more likely to incue an injury if you keep working them when you knwo they are going through this.   SOme of the "signs" of the spurt or the hindquarters become higher than the front end, they eat the same ration they've been getting but then start to look a little more "lanky" instead of maintaining weight.  If you know your horse you know when theyr're going through it. If you ever saw Michael Matz whiel he was competing in the Jumpers you would KNOW how meticulous he is about his horse and how much he CARES.....he leaves NO stone unturned in finding the best for a particular horse!    I love & respect the man a GREAT deal having been one of his fans in te show ring as well as now!   If you EVER get a chance to meet him.....just ask him about a horse named JET RUN....simply an AMAZING jumper and I think one of Michael's BEST partners!

I am truly enjoying all of the updates and questions being asked.  Thank you.

One of the other things about growth spurts, besides not putting too much pressure on growing bones and tendons, is that some horses, like some humans, get really clumsy for a while when they're growing so fast.  Forego and Seattle Slew and Man O'War are just a few who were considered "behind" their peers because they couldn't get out of their own way - they were very unbalanced when growing.  Remember being a teen and buying new shoes every few months for while and then tripping over things because you didn't know how big your own feet were?  Well, as a trainer once told me, try that with 4 feet!  And DON'T try it at 35 mph!

So long walks, trots and slow gallops are all good for Nicanor now.  The rest will come in time.

Hey Karen, PA.  If you find any Lentenor news please pass it on.  I'll do the same.

Matt

MJ: The galloping does several things: conditions (like you said), helps wih the training (it takes a lot to teach a horse to race in a straight line), and helps him get through the growth spurts. Nic still doesn't know what to do with his body, and probably won't for a while. Matz will wait till Nic can figure all that out. Curlin is a great example. smart, fast, evergrowing horse. wait till he comes into his own and he'll do great things.

Glad that Nicanor is doing well under excellent supervision.  Keep up with the news!

let's hope Matz has learned something since Barbaro.  the newly developed part of the ephysial plate will be mostly non-mineralized collagen instead of mature mineralized bone tissue.  with the pressure exerted during fast galloping there's both a much much greater danger of injury to the growing area, and also that the growth will reverse itself.  if you measure them--they go up and down at this age--often in response to the degree of exercise.

I am still in awe of how much love

and care surrounded our beautiful Barbaro's life. If any two people know how to take care of gorgeous

Nicanor it is Peter & Michael. They

both are angels that were anointed

by God to keep our equine animals

safe & comfortable. As Michael quotes, "I give the horse what it

needs and wants." God bless your

mission to these horses, dear

Michael & Peter.

Thank you for the updates on Nicanor! I believe Michael Matz & Peter Brette are the best trainers in the world. I glad Nicanor is in their care. Roy & Gretchen Jackson are the kindest and most loving horse owners! May God Bless you all.  

Actually, Nicanor (and Barbaro) are great grandsons of Mr. Prospector, and Carson City is their damsire.  The Carson City progeny have been extremely durable as an overall bloodline, and the reputation of his Dynaformer-Roberto sire line is known for big durable colts.  I would agree that the one Mr. Prospector drawback is the feet/ankles, but I don't believe it to be recurring in the Carson City line.

I am glad that they are taking their time with a young horse you do not want to hurry up before is time he will be okay.

Once again, this blog is turning out to be wonderfully educational. Thanks for putting our minds at ease about our boy. Just makes me appreciate Micheal Matz and the Jacksons all the more for their good care of their horses.

What superb, wonderful people surround Nicanor and next year, Lentenor.  These young colts are so blessed to have the care that they are receiving and the love.  Brettzky thank you for your contribution -- have been worrying about the tendency towards weak ankles that they might have.  You all are so knowledgable.  By the way, excellent article about Horse Rescue in the current People magazine.    

Thank you so much for the information on Nicanor.  I am so glad he is with Michael and Peter. I know they will give him time to grow and develop into his own self.

Team Barbaro!!

yea......What awsome horses, they have caring, loving humans to guide them.....it somehow restores my faith in this troubled world.

I have been around in horse racing with my father for about 45 years and i have never seeing the interest and caring for a horse so young. And the sometimes say that racing is not what it was maybe they should read this messages and news about this horse as  a horse racing lover i am very glad..

horses are usually finished growing when they are 3 and 4 yrs old. i know ALOT about horses

I was told by an old timer that horses can continue to grow until they are six years old.  Owning them most of my life, I have found this to be true.  They are still babies at age two and all bones are not fully developed. They need more time before the hard strenous racing.  Please do take your time with these so precious and beautiful animals.  

What KarenTripleCrown said - Michael is a consumate horseman. I'd say he's a horse whisperer, although not in the cowboy- marketing sense. He instinctively seems to know what each horse needs, wants. He lets each horse be what he needs to be and not force him into a rigid program. He is an amazing rider. I wonder if he ever dreams of riding Barbaro over jumps? I would trust that man with my soul.

Last we heard, Nicanor was at 16+ hands and 1115 pounds--most likely he'll be at least 17 hands like Barbaro.  I said this before, and a lot of us feel the same way, from what I have read in this space--I'm more convinced than ever that Nic is in the perfect place at this time in his life and career.  And no matter where the future may take him, it's so great to see him being cared for in such a professional and yes--loving--way. BTW, did Edgar Prado get to meet him when he was in the area July 11th and 12th, and does anyone have a story about it?  Thanks for the updates and I know you'll keep them coming.

Are we talking epiphysitis?

Some things that I'd be interested in reading while there is little new Nicanor news: Barbaro family resemblence to interesting relatives: the only horse that appears twice in his 5x5 pedigree is Nashua. Do the Barbaros resemble Roberto horses or some of the relatives of La Ville....What are these stakes horses from the female side like, Lucky Lavender Girl, Green Alligator etc.

Chestnut,

I agree.  That would  be interesting information.  Horse breeding in general and the thought processes behind it would be interesting to learn about.  The Dynaformer/LaVille Rouge combination certainly provides beautiful, charismatic colts!  Even young Lentenor is loaded with presence.  "He is a spirited young horse who always feels good."

Will do, Matt !

Hopefully there will be pics of Nicanor in the next post !

Thanks Karen.  Hope all is well.

Is he still in his growth spurt?  How big is he now??

Such a beautiful horse.  Both of them are.

Both of these Baby brothers are truly beautiful and have a presence that evokes their big brother. I can't wait until the newest one hits the ground. The Jacksons really do want a filly from this Dynaformer/La Ville Rouge cross. That would be almost as good as Barbaro at stud for them. They really love breeding for excellence.          

I'm watching and waiting for Nicanor's debut on the track, just as I have long done throughout my years of following Michael Matz's career- and I have been watching him since I was 12. I've seen him ride, watched and listened to him teach ( he's a gifted instructor, as well as a trainer) and I have learned some things over the last 30 years. One of these is how to be patient. The last time I can remember Michael's being this quiet was when he had a real ace up his sleeve- namely, right before Barbaro won the Derby. I can't help but wonder if this is going to happen again- if history is about to repeat itself where Nicanor is concerned. If that's true, then I wish Michael and the Jacksons all the success in the world- and I'll keep watching !!!