Condition and conformation pics of both the boys

nikkimariet

nikkimariet

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We took some pictures of both the boys today so we could scrutinize any changes due to feed/training etc :)

Fig is now on 3 scoops of winergy conditioning, 2 mugs of linseed and 1 scoop mollichop calming chaff a day, split over 4 feeds. He has fenugreek, mag ox and suppleaze gold for supplements.

He's working towards Advanced at home; playing with canter piri's, pi/pa and tempi's (we've just about got 4's and 5's now) a few times a week. He is competing at Elementary and I'd like to take him round a few easy Mediums before the year is out if I have enough points to play with (and he feels ready).



On the left is him as a 7yo October 2011, on the right this was him today as a 9yo.

I think I'd like a bit more chunk at the base of his neck, and his second thigh to be more developed. But he looks better on the move as he's a tricky swine to stand up!

CS is on 3 scoops of saracen releve, 1 scoop havens slobbermash, 1 scoop alfalfa and 2 mugs of linseed a day, split over 3 feeds. He has egusin SLH (ulcers), alcar (EPSM) and suppleaze gold for supplements.

He's working GP at home, competing PSG. PS hopes to take him round the Inter 1 before the year is out, if he feels strong enough and PS can learn the test (there's so much in it, I want to cry just reading it!).



On the left is him as a 3yo, on the right this is him today as a 8yo.

Again, the base of his neck could do with being stronger and perhaps over the top/back of his hindquarters could be more developed.

It seems Fig got the power behind and CS got the power in front :p If we could combine both of them (and take away their brains), they'd be the perfect horse!

They had some fun today (I know, fun! For non-multi discipline horses too ;) )...




Idiot:



Peekaboo:


Any thoughts or comments? Any ideas of exercises to help work on the weaker ideas?

Diet coke and mini milks on offer because it's SUNNY!!!
 
They both look fab, I wouldn't pick up on anything you haven't mentioned. I doubt I'm qualified to suggest anything, but the muscle at the base of my boys neck has greatly improved since working him long and low on the lunge/free schooling (don't like too many tight circles). I use elasticated side reins or bungee to the girth between his front legs. Fairly loose, but enough to encourage him to hold himself low and elastic so he can't lean and has to carry himself. Tend to aim for his nose around level with his elbow to knee. I do this only probably once a week.
Worked miracles... my instructor can believe the size of his neck now.
Will have to get some comparison photos when he's back from midsummer hol and not looking like a bog pony!
Beautiful boys though, their coats are amazingly shiny! I get very jealous, having a grey means I get coat envy :o
 
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CS gives Reg a run for his money in the 'how much can I eat' competition :D

I really wish we'd got proper confo shots of Reg when we first got him- he was so shaggy and scrawny we were too embarrassed!
 
anna22 said:
They both look fab, I wouldn't pick up on anything you haven't mentioned. I doubt I'm qualified to suggest anything, but the muscle at the base of my boys neck has greatly improved since working him long and low on the lunge/free schooling (don't like too many tight circles). I use elasticated side reins or bungee to the girth between his front legs. Fairly loose, but enough to encourage him to hold himself low and elastic so he can't lean and has to carry himself. Tend to aim for his nose around level with his elbow to knee. I do this only probably once a week.
Worked miracles... my instructor can believe the size of his neck now.
Will have to get some comparison photos when he's back from midsummer hol and not looking like a bog pony!
Beautiful boys though, their coats are amazingly shiny! I get very jealous, having a grey means I get coat envy :o
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Sympathies for the grey horse - I've had 3 greys and they never look as muscled or as well conditioned as they actually are!

When I first had Fig he did a few weeks walk/trot in a bungee, and then I warmed him up like this before starting some walk/trot ridden work with him. Feeling inspired to do some trot work with him on the lunge now, maybe instead of a stretchy session in the week? Good idea, thanks :)

rachaelstar said:
Glad I don't have your feed bill :D
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Haha!!! Thanks to our sponsor it's not too bad :D

Lolo said:
CS gives Reg a run for his money in the 'how much can I eat' competition :D

I really wish we'd got proper confo shots of Reg when we first got him- he was so shaggy and scrawny we were too embarrassed!
Click to expand...

They do both sound like proper pigs - very good for truffling!!!

I wish the same with Fig, he was very boney bless him :(
 
They both look amazing, so happy, healthy and shiny! Can you take my boys for and return them looking as great as your two? I have a coloured so he's impossible to keep clean *Cue coat envy* :)
 
They both look amazing, they are an absolute credit to you! I was admiring your photos on your Facebook page earlier! :)

I'm going to take my laptop out when I do late night feeds later on and show my new 3 year old ex racer how I would like him to look when he's fully grown up! :D
 
I think they both look very well, if you are near any hills then hill work and perhaps lunging in a Pessoa. My boy has a terrible bottom which has marginally improved doing this.

But I do agree with the others I wish my boy looked ad well as yours.
 
Now there's more daylight I can do more hacking with Fig, he's calm enough now that we can have a canter up an everlasting hill on a private track near us :) (too many daft mums in huge 4x4's on the roads with hills, so like to avoid those where I can!)

Adding strapping to my list!
 
head and neck long and low, in a mediumish trot up hills gets the base of the neck. :)
 
No advice, but they both look so well. I am going to get confo pics of my new boy tomorrow so that I'll have something to compare it to - I have before and after photos of my older mare and love looking at them when it feels like we're not making any progress!
 
You should have a crack at ROR showing on fig. He looks super.
 
I was going to suggest strapping too, it really helped R keep his muscle when he was ill last year...I really must start it up again!
 
I hate looking at your horses, makes me so jealous!! :D Can I send Ethel to you so you can make her all dressagey and muscley? She currently resembles a hippo and I haven't a clue when it comes to dressage! :p
 
They're such a credit to you, both looking extremely well.

I have to say though its really lovely seeing them doing something else (not saying you don't, I just mean seeing that side too!). And he looks as though he was enjoying that scratch!
 
Thanks all :)

We're both pleased with how they look at the moment, they're both as much of a headache as each other. One we have to be careful because he's so fizzy whizzy and the other has stomach and muscle problems to account for....

tonitot I love that your horse is called Ethel!!!

Lol girlracer he makes me laugh, I'll be in his stable or in his paddock and he'll come ambling up to me and point with his nose like 'hey slave, got an itch' and if I ignore him he just bumps me with his hip :p

Thanks ester! Have to say, after 2 natives and fatty Bruce, it's a breath of fresh air to not have to worry about the grass!
 
Everyone seems to love her name :D and there I was thinking about changing it when I first got her :rolleyes: I want to turn her into a super duper dressage pony but with her being an ex racehorse and me riding racehorses every day we both tend to revert back to the racing style of riding when we are supposed to be schooling (Its much easier and neither of us like hard work :p )
 
Beautiful boys and no CC from me, but.... You plait and quarter mark for hacking.

I would like some of your time and inclination please :o

Oh and some of your shiny kit and stuff too please. My address is.... :)
 
Lol! Thank you :) Plaits were only banded in and the quarters marks take 2 tics! It was a lovely day so needed every excuse to spend time outside!

Thanks RF; there's a lot of people who wouldn't be able to look past the rough coat and mud to see their potential, but you have to if you don't have mega bucks to splash on an obvious superstar ;)
 
Is it mollichop or mollichaff fig is on?

I'm interested because mine was refusing to eat about the same time as fig and I ended up using Mollichaff Calmer, which has made her eat up again. I have been a bit worried that it might be too sugary for her feet though.
 
Kat, sorry auto correct! It's mollichaff calmer from marksway - oat straw, wheat feed, dried grass, came molasses, soya oil, vits + mins, calcium carbonate, camomile leaves and blooms dried, lemon ball leaves dried, mint leaves dried, salt. + propionic, acetic, sorbic and phosphoric acid. Does say its specifically low in sugar but comparative to what, who knows. Says it's laminitic friendly too... Not noticed anything suspect with Figs feet if that's any help, think he's been on it for around 4 weeks now.

Lol armchair rider! Thank you :)
 
Yes that is the one I got for L too!

She's been eating much better. It is fairly low sugar but not low enough for the barefoot brigade, but then L isn't a good doer and does a reasonable level of work.
 
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