How is he looking? Honest opinions please!

only_me

only_me

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 June 2007
Messages
14,056
Location
Ireland
Visit site
(also bare in mind that he had just come in stuffed lol :p)

IMG_2045.jpg


What do you think?
imo he could loose a few more inches of his waist and build more muscle on his bum (but whats new lol).
What do you think? Please!
 
He's a handsome boy isn't he? I wouldn't want more weight on him but he is looking good to my eye, and very shiny as well!!

A real credit to you...

x
 
Hes 3/4 tb (an ISH). By Rachelle Comet out of a Hunters Fort Mare.
Thanks Both of you :) He knows it too - he poses for the camera lol
I think he still needs to loose some more though, specifically on his tummy?
Oh and please forgive the shoeing, he is getting shod next monday :o
 
Lol thanks everyone :) he's quite old Irish breeding :)
he is 9. He finally filled out this year!

So looks like poor Merlin is getting less hay and more work lol! :)

thanks for replying :)
 
I think he looks lovely as a general hacker but I would like to see a bit less of him too! I think he probably has quite good muscle tone but that slight top dressing of flab is covering it up! I'd keep him on the hay and lose some of the hard feed (if he gets it) maybe just step up the work?

I wouldn't worry too much though, he certainly isn't a fat monster....
 
One of my fav HHO horses and I wouldnt change a single thing about him!

I think I agree - as happy hacker or even for show ring (as I know judges tendency towards the more well covered!) he looks perfect. For eventing / harder work he maybe could be a bit more leaner....
 
We event lol ;) but most of our schooling is done on roads.

He needs the hard feed, so shall cut down the chaff maybe :)

more hill work and fitness I think :)

thanks all :)
 
only_me said:
We event lol ;) but most of our schooling is done on roads.

He needs the hard feed, so shall cut down the chaff maybe :)

more hill work and fitness I think :)

thanks all :)
Click to expand...

Yes, if he is an eventer then I would personally want him leaner. I took my little mare who will be doing 4yr old PAVO this year into a show ring the other day for experience and was told she was too skinny. She isn't, she's just fit. I'd much rather be in a start box on a fit lean horse that a fatty.

Have fun with your fitness work!
 
Not a criticism at all just genuine question, you say he needs the hard feed but is looking a bit chunkier than you'd like? Why does he need the hard feed?

Do you soak his hay? A good long soaking could help as it leeches out the sugar ect but you still have the gut fill.
 
Yes, sorry that's what I meant- if he's a happy hacker he looks fine but I'd want the weight off if he's competing. I like to keep the polocrosse ponies on the lean side (some might say skinny) and well muscled up. I have them turned out 24/7 and if they get porky I'd prefer to cut down the hard feed, my 5yo suddenly (embarrassingly- acute obesity!) looks like she ate all the pies after battling to get her ribs covered for 2 months and my friendly neighbourhood nutritionist said to cut out everything but a balancer unless she loses her "spark"... personally I think we could do without quite so much of a bloody spark....
 
Well, he needs the hard feed for energy; and he is in medium work.
he gets 1 scoop and a bit cool mix and chaff; and when eventing gets cool and condition cubes (next event not until 27th june)
He really should be getting more cool mix - he is 16.2.

He is on hayledge, and I have cut him down as he is also out the whole day.

I think restricting turnout (he is in a 7 acre field with 2 donkeys) might help, although once he starts back to gallops he should loose it pretty quickly :)

I dont mind the fittness work lol, it is usually pretty quick - 4 sets of 5 minutes canter built up to 7 mins, and hill work on alternate days. We hack pretty much every day as well :)
 
OMG that is the most awful conformation i have ever seen and as for his condition call the RSPCA now :P

he looks lovely touch more topline but nothing bad. and i LOVE him he would be a nice replace me to my old man. can i have him please???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top