Can a 'rounded' show cob actually be fit & healthy?

Don't under estimate how fit many show horses actually are - had horse in pro show yard and they were well covered but seriously fit. They did a lot of decent hacking including fields/tracks and a lot of schooling to build up muscle. No short cuts in the yard I was at just a lot of old fashioned proper work.
 
humblepie said:
Don't under estimate how fit many show horses actually are - had horse in pro show yard and they were well covered but seriously fit. They did a lot of decent hacking including fields/tracks and a lot of schooling to build up muscle. No short cuts in the yard I was at just a lot of old fashioned proper work.
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And this is the key. If you have a show horse who only goes round in circles of course they wont be fit. Same goes for any discipline- I've seen pictures of animals on here who are IMO in poor condition- yes not overweight, but no muscle or condition on them either.

Ours covered miles and miles. Prep for the show season starts in February (after being turned away and let down over winter) and they don't start the season looking as well as they do in the middle, nor how end it- You have your shows that you aim for specifically and prime them for that. You physically cannot keep them at 100% for the whole season, same as athletes in all sports.

The black mare did all her schooling on hacks- hadn't seen an arena in yonks when that picture was taken. What she was, was fit and balanced and mature with miles under her girth ;)
The chestnut was a bit of a pillock, didn't hack out, but did do a lot more work in the field to compensate. He went over the top of those that were worked in a school, and coped admirally with the ground when that picture was taken- it was at the Yorkshire when they were rolling the quagmire of a ring before each class- I've seen ploughed fields not as deep!
They were fed for it too, never had a horse on a diet...

People also forget the grooming and strapping that goes into these animals. But, and this may fluff a few feathers, when you see riders who let themselves go and who aren't fit, why would you expect anything different from their mighty steed?? I think its a sign of the times tbh. A lot of laziness and corner cutting and under-estimating the work it takes to compete well at any level.
 
We've owned a Welsh D for 8 years and the picture below was him at his fattest. He's exercised plenty but isn't a greedy horse so we've never struggled with his weight. He's currently looking much fitter and belies his 17 years. He's not a show standard horse but he might try some veteran stuff at some point.

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Capriole said:
I love to show, the horses I show aren't fat though [...] Or maybe they are and I'm just not seeing it as I'm used to fatties.

eta friends show horses are horrendously fat imo. Pretty sure they think mine are skinny ;)
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Confirmation at weekend that my horse is indeed *not* fat :wink3:

OH was speaking to the Judge later on and she said my yearling would have placed higher if she was carrying more 'condition', lol. Not going to happen though. I think she's fine as she is, but hey ho, it is what it is. :biggrin3:
 
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