Condition score & general critique? I know it's been done to a death, sorry! :P

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sophiebailey

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As per title, below are some pictures taken tonight of my 20 year old Cob Bailey. 3 weeks ago he had a nasty incident of choke and a lung infection and as a result of the illness and having 3 weeks off work he lost a lot of weight and condition.

I think he's starting to pick up now, and was wondering what you all thought in terms of his present condition, but also out of interest his general confirmation? I know the pictures aren't ideal, couldn't get him to hold his head up he was too interested in his food and the grass!

He's back in light work at the moment (hacking out every other day for 30 mins walk and trot and we've had one 30min schooling session which ended with a good 5 mins of canter - he wasn't puffing or blowing which made me very happy as at least his general level of fitness hasn't suffered!!) so i'm hoping gradually his muscle will build up. He didn't have a great deal to begin with, but now there's none! :o

Any/all comments welcomed :) I know there's been tonne's of these threads recently but i'm keen to jump on the bandwagon and hear your thoughts!

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xxx Thank you! xxx​
 
Lovely looking boy, he looks like my sort of horse. TBH id say he looks good. Its that time of year that many horses are a bit light (yours looks better than mine I wanted to bring him into spring on the lighter side as he has a fetlock problem so extra weight is bad!)
I think you may be over worried here! relax ;-)
 
Weight wise he looks fine, he does look a little dull though (it might be the light and understandable after being so ill.) Maybe a bit of micronised linseed will help to give him some bloom?
 
Thank you touchstone, do I buy that in liquid form or is it a powder? He is very dull at the moment, I put that down to him changing coats (the hair is crazy!!) But will try this! :)
 
I agree with Touchstone, he has no bloom (which is to be expected). Getting some oil into his feed will help.

Personally I would quietly hack him only for the next couple of weeks - with no canter or schooling work.

Poor old chap to have been so ill - it's horrid isn't it? But I'm sure he'll be back to his normal wonderful self with your care, and the spring/summer grass.
 
Thanks everyone, will try him on some oil and see if that helps. Hoping when he has his first bath of the spring he'll look a bit better, removing the layer of dust + mud!! Xx
 
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