Conformation? Fat? Show Pony?

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ThisIsBlondi

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Hey! his is my 13.1hh Welsh C Gelding! I want to get him out showing etc but he doesn't look like he's 'fit' for purpose at the moment?
I've had farrier coming today so feet are sorted, but this is roughly what he looks like!
Can anyone help me get him looking better? He seems to have a hugee belly, spine is on show quite a bit so Im thinking no top line? Capable pony as been jumping 3ft9 and works in an outline when asked for a bit.. Love this cheeky ******!
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ThisIsBlondi said:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=1&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...676.1073741828.100000045696820&type=3&theater
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Here are the links for the images!
 
He looks as though he is a nice enough C for normal level showing but you have a lot of work ahead of you. His whole body shape needs to change. He defos needs topline so lots of hills, stretching, collecting and working correctly through from behind and he will gradually change shape over the next few months.

Personally with that jump in him I'd be doing workers classes.
 
echo EKW, lots and lots of top line and muscling needed. If he is being ridden regularly I would maybe get a back person out to see if everything is in line and working properly. Weight wise he is not too bad but his neck needs to be twice the size. M&M workers for sec C's is around 2ft9 so I would definitely be aiming him for that.

He does have a lovely amount of bone and feather though
 
Thanks! He's kept out 24/7 so I'm hoping he will lose a bit of weight over winter as he starts working! How long do you reckon this process will take? And is it the amount of work, the type of work or the way he is being worked I should focus on?
 
lots of pessoa work, hill work in walk and when schooling lots of low stretching work with lots of transitions. You can also strap and you should see a difference in 6 weeks
 
Super little pony, a diamond in the rough ;)
I think you should lay off the jumping for a while, especially at that height, until he get more muscle. As others have said lots of transitions, hill work and pole work will do wonders over a relatively short period of time.
How old is he?
Also I don't think the saddle is doing him any justice at all. It looks too big and sits over the shoulder too much. If your thinking of WH then a WH cut saddle (brown/havanna) would suit him to a T. Also Please please wear a hat ;)
 
cambrica said:
Super little pony, a diamond in the rough ;)
I think you should lay off the jumping for a while, especially at that height, until he get more muscle. As others have said lots of transitions, hill work and pole work will do wonders over a relatively short period of time.
How old is he?
Also I don't think the saddle is doing him any justice at all. It looks too big and sits over the shoulder too much. If your thinking of WH then a WH cut saddle (brown/havanna) would suit him to a T. Also Please please wear a hat ;)
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I will focus more on schooling than jumping, he loves his jumping though! He's 8, and yes the saddle is something I'm working on!
 
Even if it wasn't attached to anything it could still potentially tangled up in his legs, do you not have any safer alternatives? Wouldn't like to see your lovely pony getting hurt :(
 
There wasn't a chance of it getting caught or tangled as he always used to stop straight after a jump nearly as soon as he landed, it was jumped once, I now have alternatives, thank you for the concern but its not a topic related to the thread...
 
I rather like him, yes,as the others have said he needs muscle and topline, but generally he is nice.

I don't know if the pic with the very high haynet was just you playing with pony for the picture, but if you hang high nets his neck will develop from underneath and he will look dreadful. Better to put hay on the floor or in a feeder.
 
Lovely looking pony, don't know if you generally hang his haynet as high as you are in one of the pics, but i would be feeding him from the floor to discourage development of the muscles on the underside of his neck, although i appreciate that you say he will be living out, so a haynet in the stable will only be for short periods, i would still want to keep his head lower when feeding x
 
caseycat said:
Lovely looking pony, don't know if you generally hang his haynet as high as you are in one of the pics, but i would be feeding him from the floor to discourage development of the muscles on the underside of his neck, although i appreciate that you say he will be living out, so a haynet in the stable will only be for short periods, i would still want to keep his head lower when feeding x
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If I put the hay on the floor, he will eat it too quickly.. Are there any other alternatives?
 
ThisIsBlondi said:
There wasn't a chance of it getting caught or tangled as he always used to stop straight after a jump nearly as soon as he landed, it was jumped once, I now have alternatives, thank you for the concern but its not a topic related to the thread...
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Horses really enjoy maiming themselves on anything available, take it from me, you want to minimise the risks :( What about plastic piping for poles? If you post on here about ideas for cheap jumps, I've seen some fab set-ups.

He's a cracking pony though, and I think you will do really well as his shape improves. Agreed aim for workers, he has a fantastic neat jump. How come you can't lunge? Pessoa worked miracles for mine. Also trotting poles, cavaletti, and hill work will all help, though you have to make sure he is carrying himself properly for them to have the desired effect. I would recommend a lot of long and low work, esp over poles, if you can :)
 
Some really nice pics there, he is chubby but has a lovely coat and a beautiful face

To do M&M showing of any sort beyond very local level he needs to be registered. He also needs topline as already said

To show as a section C he will need to be well schooled on the flat and will need to be able to stand still too which doesnt seem to be a strong point currently! If wanting to do it seriously then a straighter cut saddle and double/pelham bit/s would be required so some outlay in costs

For normal workers classes above very local level he would need to br trimmed up and plaited, you would get away with the saddle at low levels but would need something more show saddle like after that. A flatwork show is usually required so again some schooling needed maybe

For M&M workers you will have to travel a bit as they are usually only seen at mid level and above he should be left untrimmed for those and there is more emphasis on the conformation of the pony and they may need to have the saddle removed and be trotted up in hand for the judge after their flatwork show so a little different - this is probably where he would excel if the right work is put in

Having said all of that I would be inclined to aim this pony at standard jumping classes as would appear that flat work is not going to be your strong point if left to your own devices and with no instructor to help. The pony would make a great jumping pony with some weight off and there would be a lot less pressure on you to school him and keep him in show condition as the topline will only come with the right type of consistent work which looking at your pics you would probably find very dull!

Whatever you decide do try to vary the jumps a bit, search on here for home made jumps - whether you jump him or school him to be a WHP he will need to jump pretty much any type of fence
 
WelshD said:
To do M&M showing of any sort beyond very local level he needs to be registered. He also needs topline as already said
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I spoke to his owner and I think she said he is registered!

WelshD said:
To show as a section C he will need to be well schooled on the flat and will need to be able to stand still too which doesnt seem to be a strong point currently! If wanting to do it seriously then a straighter cut saddle and double/pelham bit/s would be required so some outlay in costs
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The Pelham is already sorted as need it for other horse as well, the saddle is something Im struggling with as I need a saddle fitter and he will be changing shape as well..


WelshD said:
Having said all of that I would be inclined to aim this pony at standard jumping classes as would appear that flat work is not going to be your strong point if left to your own devices and with no instructor to help. The pony would make a great jumping pony with some weight off and there would be a lot less pressure on you to school him and keep him in show condition as the topline will only come with the right type of consistent work which looking at your pics you would probably find very dull!
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He has been brought back into work lately and therefore flatwork is becoming essential as having troubles with cantering on different reins, and I'm thinking I can build up his topline and muscles near enough at the same time.. Personally I'm a jumper type of person, however I do also enjoy schooling - the pony doesn't though! Seems really dull when the jumps aren't being jumped! And he does just literally everything! :)

Thank you!
 
PLEASE do not trim at plait him for local level workers. A good judge will be able to tell an M&M and wouldn't expect them to be plaited. I would cry if I saw something like him come in under me plaited with feathers lopped off
 
Good grief no! Don't trim and plait him at all! Google images of welsh C's at shows to see the length of mane that is currently in fashion and feather his tail to around the hock area. Leave this until he is good to go showing as he will change shape a lot and the mane and tail will look too long or short if done now.
 
I wouldnt want to see the pony trimmed up either but mentioned it as a way of explaining the difference between regular and M&M workers as a few people had mentioned WH classes
 
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