How big should a cob's bum be?

[hairycob]

When I first saw my old mare she was scrawny with visible ribs but still had an apple bum.

 

[twiggy2]

will get photos of my mares butt tomorrow if I get a chance

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

My trad-lad has a bum like an elephant; sorry can't post pictures on here, but take my word for it!!

 

[Olderrider]

Some horses do have a slight apple bum, but you can check if it's fat or just natural shape by giving each side of the tail head a good kneading with your fingers fat feels different to muscle. On a fit horse the whole area from the buttocks to the tail head is equally firm when pressed, on a fat horse the buttocks feel quite firm but the area around the tail head quickly becomes quite soft and easily dimpled with thumbs or fingertips.

That's a really useful tip thanks and I'll be having a knead and a prod later today.

 

[Dry Rot]

When I posted a photo of my Highland stallion I got a couple of hate mails from show people because he was "too thin"! (I'd actually had three vets and a M&M judge tell me how nice it was to see a Highland pony that was not obese).

In fact, he'd come through a long winter running with six mares and although you could discern a rib in oblique lighting he still had an apple bum with a gutter above his tail.

The bum is also composed of muscle and a well muscled horse should have a big bum. It could still have visible ribs and yet be 100% fit. More so in a show jumper or draft horse. A quick feel of ribs and spine should be enough for a quick check.

If the OP ever has the opportunity to accompany a grader checking lambs for slaughter, she will find that a superb education in assessing how fat, thin, or lean an animal is very quickly. Dealers who buy at auction every day tell me they can assess weight by the way a sheep walks in spite of all that wool and not having a hand on it.

 

[_GG_]

 

[Olderrider]

Thanks _GG_ - so tell me what you think now you've seen it?

 

[_GG_]

Thanks _GG_ - so tell me what you think now you've seen it?

Ha! Put the pics up and forgot to comment, or reply to your email...DOH!

Not that bad really. I do think she could lose a bit of fat to be honest, but there's not too far to go. More experienced cob people will be along shortly I'm sure. I do think she's rather gorgeous though xx

 

[Olderrider]

Thank you . I feel that if she lost a bit she would have more energy, at the moment she's more willing to stop with a very light aid than go. Not quite true actually, she does respond but believes in doing the least possible. Unless she's on the way home!

 

[cobgoblin]

I don't think she looks too bad either! She does have a bit of a channel along her back from what I can see in the photos but it's really hard to keep that off a cob in summer. The channel between her buttocks looks u-shaped rather than v-shaped and deep . Shoulder line is visible and neck looks good. Doesn't look spongy around the tail base.
Her bum looks bigger because it's white - I have the black version and his bum looks smaller, but isn't!

 

[Olderrider]

Jealous! I think they ran out of black when they got to her. On the plus side she keeps herself very clean and is certainly pretty visible even without fluorescent gear.

 

[cobgoblin]

Jealous! I think they ran out of black when they got to her. On the plus side she keeps herself very clean and is certainly pretty visible even without fluorescent gear.

Lol..I wouldn't be. You should feel how hot his coat gets in the sun!

 

[Olderrider]

I do use a protective rug in the sun and sun cream for her but she certainly never seems to get hot, you're right there.