HOYS at this time of year

[Trot_on]

I’ve always thought that HOYS is on at a really mean time of year when lots of horses are changing coat etc meaning they might not feel at their absolute best. However, they all (from showing to SJ’ing) come out looking absolutely stunning, shiney, energetic.

Just how do they do it? Mine always look a bit dull and are a bit flat during coat change time - couldn’t imagine asking so much of them while going through this!

 

[CanteringCarrot]

I know that here, some will keep their horse under lights (summer hours) so they don't develop much of a winter coat. Perhaps some do that?

 

[PoppyAnderson]

Lights on and constant over-rugging. Just one of the many things giving most show horses a miserable life.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I hope that the overugging is a thing of the past, as coat growth is now known to be affected by day length rather than temperature. So leaving lights on in the stable into the evening on timers will discourage coat growth. As long as the lights go off for a good night’s sleep.

Seeing miserable overly fat show horses turned out on warm sunny days encased in heavy full neck rugs is yet another reason why I despise showing.

 

[Surbie]

I’ve always thought that HOYS is on at a really mean time of year when lots of horses are changing coat etc meaning they might not feel at their absolute best. However, they all (from showing to SJ’ing) come out looking absolutely stunning, shiney, energetic.

Just how do they do it? Mine always look a bit dull and are a bit flat during coat change time - couldn’t imagine asking so much of them while going through this!

Lovely woman from my yard qualified for the first time this year. Her horse lives out 24/7 with a couple of others in an 8 acre field. No living under lights or over-rugging, minimal feed, varied workload and he looks incredible.

 

[Trot_on]

Lovely woman from my yard qualified for the first time this year. Her horse lives out 24/7 with a couple of others in an 8 acre field. No living under lights or over-rugging, minimal feed, varied workload and he looks incredible.

This is refreshing but I bet rare!

 

[Trot_on]

Not just showing, but the horses for all the disciplines. They always just look extra shiney and healthy.

Fat is weird isn’t it because they must have the energy to perform well in the ring.

Maybe it is all about rugging and lights!

 

[Surbie]

This is refreshing but I bet rare!

Yeah - I'm not trying to suggest they all have that as a lifestyle, but it can be done and as an amateur up against the pros in the qualifiers too. I am really, really proud of her!

 

[dorsetladette]

Up close I noticed lots were clipped. Some had coats stood up so obviously feeling the chill (frost on thursday morning up there).

 

[SEL]

Not just showing, but the horses for all the disciplines. They always just look extra shiney and healthy.

Fat is weird isn’t it because they must have the energy to perform well in the ring.

Maybe it is all about rugging and lights!

With a good bath and groom my bright bay cob would be shiny. My darker cob has enough native in her to have a really thick coat so she will shine, but also sweat

I hire an arena from a showing yard (WHP - mainly natives) & there's nothing ridiculous there. Less turnout than ideal but that's wet fields - they have a very good washing area though so I think hot water and a good shampoo help. They're also experts on clipping and blending so lines aren't obvious.

 

[Sealine]

We have someone who shows natives at our yard. I couldn't quite believe my eyes when their unclipped shetland was out in the day a couple of weeks ago wearing a medium weight rug with a neck. At the same time my horse was out at night naked. It wasn't even raining!

 

[humblepie]

Many will be clipped. Some yards have lighting that is supposed to help keep coats.

 

[humblepie]

We have someone who shows natives at our yard. I couldn't quite believe my eyes when their unclipped shetland was out in the day a couple of weeks ago wearing a medium weight rug with a neck. At the same time my horse was out at night naked. It wasn't even raining!

I’m the showing person at our yard - mine is probably the least rugged. It’s bit of a running joke that I’m mean

 

[druid]

Lights and Equilume masks for many

 

[IrishMilo]

I hope that the overugging is a thing of the past, as coat growth is now known to be affected by day length rather than temperature. So leaving lights on in the stable into the evening on timers will discourage coat growth. As long as the lights go off for a good night’s sleep.

Seeing miserable overly fat show horses turned out on warm sunny days encased in heavy full neck rugs is yet another reason why I despise showing.

I've seen this on many race yards and SJ /eventing yards too, with the horses sweating buckets under. I absolutely hate it and think it's the epitome of cruelty.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Up close I noticed lots were clipped. Some had coats stood up so obviously feeling the chill (frost on thursday morning up there).

Yes this lots of them get clipped and it's timed precisely so the coat just has a small amount of growth to mimic a summer coat.

I know this because I worked on a showing yard and did most of the clipping, no over rugging or lights where I worked.

 

[SibeliusMB]

Showing in the US, we'd try to clip horses about 2-3 weeks out from the show if we wanted a little growth and the more natural look. Unless it was a grey...they can be clipped just about anytime because it's harder to see lines on greys. We never bothered with lowlights or over-rugging, just a looooot of clipping....

I didn't get to watch HOYS but I would assume a majority were likely clipped.

 

[follysienna]

Cover cote clip 2 weeks before and daily hot oiling to get those coats.

 

[Squeak]

Cover cote clip 2 weeks before and daily hot oiling to get those coats.

This

 

[Jambarissa]

I think some horses are just made that way. One of my HW hairy cobs came from a showing lineage and despite all the hair and feather his coat is fine and shiny all year round. He's never cold either, 100g rug in the depths of winter.

The other 2 are already at the teddy bear stage. I gave both a chaser late September and you wouldn't know. Full clip and lightweight rugs when they start coming in overnight in November.

 

[nikkimariet]

They’re clipped + fed/groomed well. Bright indoor lights will make most horses have a decent looking coat. Plus you have stable light systems as an option these days too.