Good doers going into winter

[superted1989]

There's been a lot of threads recently about people noticing obese horses. I think Markie is okay, he's fit enough and very good for his age, although a TB owning friend said he's fat! He's not, you can feel, but not see, his ribs with the flat of your hand and he's rounded with muscle, the channel down his back is long gone! On the other hand, his previous owners came to visit (jumped him XC) and said he was thin!
Any excuse to post pictures of the big lad!

My reckoning is he's a good 3, maybe a 3.5 if you're picky, any critique welcome!
Here he is again, same day, almost at the end of a 20 fence novice XC. He came 2nd, the fences were around 2'6" (although the pic makes it look small as it's on a hill!)

 

[kinnygirl1]

Looks gorgeous. I am no weight expert but I think he looks great and certainly not thin. He looks like he will go into winter very well.

 

[Toffee44]

Hes a cob hes meant to have a bit of a bum to cuddle and something to get your legs round!!!

He just wnt need rugging/hardfeeding and to be honest I feed my cob straw with hay too keep costs down; maybe just a LW to keep clean over winter.

I hope you have some pig oil and sulphur for them gorgeous feathers.

 

[Supertrooper]

This is mine, ok the photo was taken in summer......

He is a Shire x Cob and he will never be thin. However he is no longer cresty which he was when we got him. We try not to rug him over winter, only a lightweight (ie rain sheet) if wet/windy and a 100g if freezing (ie -10 type weather) he lives out as much as poss. He only has hay and fibre based feed. Look into fast fibre, brilliant food for fatties!!

 

[FairyLights]

Lovely horses!

 

[TicTac]

For his size and breed he looks a good weight. Not too fat and certainly not too thin. He has a well defined shoulder and no obviousl fat deposits anywhere. He's a lovely looking chap!

 

[superted1989]

This is mine, ok the photo was taken in summer......

He is a Shire x Cob and he will never be thin. However he is no longer cresty which he was when we got him. We try not to rug him over winter, only a lightweight (ie rain sheet) if wet/windy and a 100g if freezing (ie -10 type weather) he lives out as much as poss. He only has hay and fibre based feed. Look into fast fibre, brilliant food for fatties!!

Wow, he's GORGEOUS!
I use fast fibre, it's brilliant stuff. Markie has Bailey's 14 (lo cal balancer), with a double handful of fibergy and fast fibre to dampen it. Now that it's getting colder, I shall up the fast fibre as he's currently out 24/7, had a lightweight on for the past 2 nights (he's clipped) but isn't being supplemented with hay as yet.
I do sometimes think people assume the 'roundness' of 'fittish' cobs is fat rather than a combination of bone structure and muscle. On the other side, people who are used to cobs can look at a fit thoroughbred and think 'thin', lol!

 

[cob&onion]

This what my cob morphs into in the depths of winter!!

As a yearling............

Last winter amongst the snow unrugged but very fluffy and warm with lots of ad lib hay!

 

[FairyLights]

What a sweetie! love the black ears.

 

[Supertrooper]

He is gorgeous meant to also say that so far he's not had hay but tomorrow is going to start having some xx

 

[indie999]

Havent got a pic to post but he looks really good. I have a good doer cob out 24/7 and since he retired I notice he wobbles a bit and the only way I know if he is blowing up now is to stand behind him and if I can see a belly either side he is having too much. When he was being ridden he was easier to manage. But he is getting his winter coat and now the colder temps I am hoping he will burn it off in the cold, he loves the cold. He is very thick set too with a good set of shoulders on him.

Whoever said a good doer is easy to keep! Great pics they all look good on here!

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Fany is like 2 different horses! But she is in for a shock next week she'll be getting clipped! So hopefully she won't get itchy this year her coat is so thick that she looks like a yak, her coat is so think it takes to the 2nd knuckle until you get to her! It is the thickest coat on a horse I have ever seen, thicker than the Shetland's on our yard because she is a proper CB so she is supposed to be able to live in cold climates. Last year she was on haylage only and out in the snow and still did not lose any weight. She will be rugged but no bucket. I don't really believe in feeding for the sake of it.

FDC

In summer

And in winter

 

[Supertrooper]

Fany is just the cutest girl! Xx

 

[FanyDuChamp]

Fany is just the cutest girl! Xx

Thank you, we think so. She has a lovely nature and is a great favourite on our yard, especially with our YO's MIL.
FDC