Fat ponies at shows

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Dubsie

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Have just re-read Jump for Joy by Pat Smythe - her autobiography.

I know the topic comes up frequently, but I can understand why ponies are a lot fatter these days as they roll up to the showground in their horse box.

Pat Smythe used to hack to shows when she was in her teens (and go alone!), and if they were 30-40 miles away she'd set off the day before and stay at a friend's or camp out. I know this was the done thing years ago, and there was far less car/road traffic in the 40s/50s, but is it any wonder ponies/horses aren't as trim these days?

Discuss!
(Would love some memories of when we were young...)
 
That was the life... :rolleyes:

I still hack to shows if not too much roadwork/too far/risk of getting killed by boyracer.

But fat ponies are encouraged by judges who always give the fattest, sorry, "best condition" pony a red rossette.

Then it gets lami and is put in field-prison for the rest of its life.
 
Ugh, don't get me started on fat wobbly stallions. Just don't. It is very depressing.

Fat does not mean fit or healthy, it means fat.

When judges put a horse down the line for being fat, rather than mistaking it for muscle or good health, then the showing world will be a better place imho.
 
I have to be physically restrained from throttling the owners and seriosly think there should be weighing scales at the ringside and a very keen, ruthless vet there, slapping fines and other clamp-downs on the perps.
 
How many shoes must they have got through with that amount of roadwork?

Totally agree with you about the fat comments. However, we got told by the judge our pony was fat last weekend, when he was the slimmest one in the class (and probably the fittest and most muscled one too). Having then probably changed her mind after seeing the other ones close up, she picked him to win the 2 classes he was entered in and then made him champion. But no more reference to him being a fat hoofer (which he isn't anyway). I do wish she had clarified any change of mind she'd had with us...

I will say I personally think that he is a bit chubby, even though he is ridden every day, part stabled on non edible bedding and on restricted grazing when he does go out, not that too much grass is a problem for us this very dry summer.
 
I was quite shocked this week! And it's not just in the cob type horses, it's cropping up all over :confused: For those of you who know how fat Phil is, he was practically slender compared to some I've seen! :(
 
i saw some obese ponies at a show the other day and the woman showing one pony said to the judge its her mountain and moorland weight!!! and these 2 fatties got put ahed of perfect weight horses in a bst condition class!!
 
We are new to showing, I am still in shock that fat is the way to go.

We have only been doing youngstock, each time we have been told when he fills out etc etc, I really feel like shouting he is a bl*****y warmblood, he is never going to fill out, he is not a native just because he is dun.


if I took my other warmblood I think the judge might just call the rspca, as they would see him as a welfare case !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
I feel sorry for the young girl who has our native type on loan. She has taken admirable care of her weight and diet management but has her entered for best condition at a local show. She is under the impression a bath, a good tidy round with some trimmers and nice plaits will put her in with a good chance...

I haven't the heart to tell her the reality. This pony lives on a dairy farm, too. I have to say that last time I visited, I wondered if she might be a tad too thin. Those who know me will tell you I like to be able to feel my horses' ribs easily!

So it can be done. No excuses.
 
I was at a show with trendybraincell at the start of July. As we left in the lorry both of our jaws hit the floor - there was a small pony (12hh tops) and I kid you not, it's stomach was almost on the ground. We just could NOT believe it.
 
I fully respect one judge in particular who threw 3 or 4 out the ring at RB this year for being 'over conditioned'. :) Over fed and fat is completely different and looks hideious.
 
You just have to take a look at some of the WH and RH rings to see that half of them could not do a day's hunting, which in reality they should be able to. The fitness of these animals should shine through.
 
That's sad to hear that so many ponies are so grossly fat. I love a nice round pony but by "round" I mean proportionate as a pony, not so wide a child's legs stick straight out to either side when riding it. :(

As for hacking to shows, when I was growing up in New England in the 70's, my friends and I did a lot of hacking to and from shows. I grew up in Vermont which to this day has miles and miles of dirt roads and trails, and we were able to ride to a good number of them. I think of it now and think how exhausted I'd be - at the time, it was just great fun.
 
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