Does this pony look overweight?????

[MillionDollar]

I want honest opinions, but someone has just stated in the pic gallery that my pony is waaaaaaay too overweight.

Now before you answer please remember he has a very thick winter coat as he is a native and that he was entire until he was 3 and covered mares. But be honest, im not going to have a go. Here he is-

 

[Mid]

Hard to tell from a photo, but he does look a little bit chubby, I wouldn't worry about it though, so long as he's healthy, happy, and doesn't get puffed out too easily.

 

[ladylisa]

He looks about right, just got a little rounding to the belly! but thats better to go into winter with.

 

[Caz]

It's difficult to tell from that angle and without seeing him in the flesh too. I'd say he looks pretty good. Yes, he has a bit of a cresty neck but even the skinniest of natives can have that!

If you look at him from behind you will be able to tell by the shape of his bum, if it's 'heart shaped' (ie: has a channel going doen his spine) then that's a good indication if he's a bit on the porky side.

I think he looks pretty well and fit but as I said, it is quite hard to tell, do you have any other photos?

 

[timeandchance]

I was just about to say exactly the same as ladylisa...he looks good to me!

 

[spooks]

if he is overweight then our welshie is obese! lol

 

[ArleyMoss]

He looks about right, but you really need to add front and back shots to tell!

 

[cosmo_sam]

I'd agree, the heart shaped bum is a better test for a cresty native.

I'd say he looks well covered, but hasn't any nasty fatty bulges

 

[MillionDollar]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

Yes he has a HUGE crest (due to being entire for 3 years and a native). His ribs are easily felt and he is in a starvation paddock with 2 other ponies. He is worked 5 times a week so i dont know what else to do!

 

[TGM]

He looks OK in that pic, but I can see how from the other pic you posted:

that people might think he looks overweight. He is very cresty in that pic (but obviously the late gelding may be the cause) and it does look like there is a gutter down his bottom, however it might just be a shadow or a dorsal marking. It is always difficult to judge these things from a picture rather than in the flesh.

 

[MillionDollar]

Other pics-

 

[FMM]

He is very well covered, but is moving in a nice active way which he would not be able to do if he were terribly overweight. Nearly every native is a bit plump, but he is not obese. He could perhaps do with losing a few inches, but then again, who couldn't? !!

 

[MillionDollar]

Yes he has a dorsal marking, and BTW all of these pics were taken the same day.

 

[cosmo_sam]

Please don't stress about people's comments.

Being the owner of a RID that puts weight on with fresh air, I've lost plenty of sleep trying to get him to look streamline!

I've now realised that he is always going to look chunkier compared to the other horses around us as most of them are TB types and much finer!

People who comment may not be used to seeing the chunkier types and so I would only take advice from a feed specialist or someone who knows your horses breed very well

 

[ladylisa]

He neck dont look that bad as you say he was cut late (like the pony in my siggy) and also he has covered mares. plus as he is broken to drive that will help to build his neck up.

 

[MillionDollar]

I know i shouldn't get upset over comments but it just makes you feel like you can't look after your horse, it annoys people have to be so bitchy.

Thanks everyone anyway for your comments.

 

[Kezza]

how much does he weigh and what is his height? He looks ok to me for this time of year, maybe you'd want him slightly less well covered going into Spring...

 

[Rambo]

I'd call him well-covered. If he were a SJ'er or an Eventer then yes, i'd say he was carrying too much weight, but for what he is / does i'd say he looks okay

 

[samp]

i'd say he is a little round but then it is in the breeding my Fjord x used to look like that and I never had a prob with it. I am often told my mare is fat when you can actually feel and see her ribs sometimes - work that out!

 

[Sparklet]

I think he is gorgeous - I absolutely love duns. He looks like a smaller version of my daughters pony, also dun....who is prone to weight gain and she is so huggable.

Just as well I cant get hold of him in the flesh - I would have to give him a big hug.

On the weight - he is not hugely overweight but he certainly wouldnt want to be any fatter. Presume the pickkie is from the end of Summer and some of the weight will naturally drop off during the winter.

Oooooh - give him a big hug from me.

 

[Thistle]

Chubby - yes, goes with the type. Obese most certainly not.

Fit and acitive yes.

 

[filly190]

I think he looks in perfect condition. Fat, unfit horses can be a problem. I personally like to see a good covering and as you said he has a thick coat and would look totally different if you clipped him.

At this time of year, I build my horses up as much as possible to get them through the winter months. Any animal hitting severe weather etc can go off very quickly, I personally think its better to have a good cover than keep them lean.

 

[riotgirl]

Just a bit big boned - like my Welshie! In fact, my Welshie has a crest neck a bit like that and she is a mare

 

[Dogbetty141]

I think he is a stunning pony I dont think he is overweight at all welshies are supposed to be cobby and hardy. They need a bit of meat on them.

You can tell he was kept entire as he has amazing presence. I love him.

 

[Happytohack]

He is a Highland isn't he - he looks absolutely great to me.

 

[sojeph]

I thought he is a Welsh A?

 

[MillionDollar]

No, lol, someone said he was a highland x.
He is a pure Welsh A (although registered as a PBW, coz we couldn't get his sires papers), and he is 12hh.

And yeh i agree he would look totally different if he were clipped. The pics were taken about 3 weeks ago.

Thanks again all!

 

[GTs]

I think he looks great - his shape is deceiving to his weight, I would not say anything bad about it. I would not be overly concerned about people on here, I think there are quite a few who have no idea.

 

[amandaco2]

he does look over weight-i think i can see a gutter on his bottom.
its very hard to keep the weight off these types though
heck i find it very hard to keep my ISH mares weight off!lol

 

[Theresa_F]

Looks fine to me - some people think all should look like a TB.

Having had both, there are big differences between how they look at the way they are built.

Native cobs and ponies are not meant to be thin and athletic looking.

I have had fit cobs that still looked like a brick sh*thouse - just they way they are.

I would not want him much heavier - and would expect him to be a little lighter coming out of winter. Personally I like mine with a bit of reserve chunkiness at this time of year.