A rant: fat horses

[MontyandZoom]

I'm sure it is a nightmare to keep weight off. I know that Monty has been underweight in the past.

I think the problem that I have is with people who don't make an effort to get the weight off, through ignorance or just not wanting to put the effort in to get the horse fit.

 

[SmallHunter]

So then is my horse fat?

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Crest looks good, can't really judge bum from the pic but yes, could do with loosing some weight off her tummy I would say.

 

[Honeypots]

I'm guilty of letting my horses/ponies getting too fat in the past...and even now that I've experienced laminitis, I'm still struggling to get the weight off one now she is out of work (thats about to change).
However...it can be done. This guy came to me overweight, with a crest and a peachy butt and laminitis which he'd had on and off for 3 years and was about to be PTS the very next day. He has severe rotation in both fronts. He is now sound and about to start work and when he builds up a bit of muscle I'll be taking him a couple of local shows. I expect we'll be frowned upon as his ribs are very visable but I don't care. My farrier said just refer them to him and he'll give em what for..lol
This is when he arrived

and now

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

I would be more worried about that shetland! Lol.

 

[itsme123]

I do think alot of the problem is within the 'old school' judges. Many newer judges I've noticed are keener to see fit horses and not place the fat ones. maybe this will be something that takes time then? as the old school retire and new judges come foward?

 

[LankyDoodle]

Honeypots - that is similar condition to George, and what I was getting at earlier. When he moves, his ribs are far more visible. Hardly a welfare case - you've done well with that pone!

 

[Honeypots]

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I would be more worried about that shetland! Lol.

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His coat is approx 3 inches long...he's not overweight underneath it all and his legs are actually alot longer than they look...lol

 

[itsme123]

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I would be more worried about that shetland! Lol.

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His coat is approx 3 inches long...he's not overweight underneath it all and his legs are actually alot longer than they look...lol

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And just to back Honeypots up on this (the fact that their coats make a huge difference) here's my daughter's shetland :

On the monday:

on the wednesday (he has a slight pot belly because he's old)

 

[Donkeymad]

It is a long-held irritation of mine (to put it mildly).

Until the majority of people, including show judges, realise the difference between fit and fat, there is little hope.