Note to self - stand back and look at horse occasionally

[Auslander]

I just brought Alf in for a bit of TLC, as he's moving house soon, and can't turn up there looking like a yeti.

I've been taking his rug off every day to check for rubs and flick him over - but I haven't stood back and looked at his overall shape, as he's not a fatty.

Let me rephrase that - he is not USUALLY a fatty. My son was grooming him, and I walked out of the feedroom and did a double take. He is looking decidedly portly, and will be having his waistline STRICTLY monitored for the next few weeks!!

Autumn grass flush has taken its toll - and he is living proof that those who indulge, bulge!!

Also slightly stunned that my 14 year old son is so tall that he makes a 17hh MW look like a 14.2hh. I have bred a monster!!

 

[Lolo]

Your son is a giant. In a nice way. I look decidedly smaller than that when I'm stood next to a 15.2hh...

I know it's bad when they get a bit chubby, but with the older gents it's almost rewarding. My old TB got rather portly one spring and while he was ridden a bit more and slimmed back down, knowing he had managed to look like that despite looking like a (well loved, just very poor) toastrack when we got him was almost pleasing

 

[Auslander]

Your son is a giant. In a nice way. I look decidedly smaller than that when I'm stood next to a 15.2hh...

I know it's bad when they get a bit chubby, but with the older gents it's almost rewarding. My old TB got rather portly one spring and while he was ridden a bit more and slimmed back down, knowing he had managed to look like that despite looking like a (well loved, just very poor) toastrack when we got him was almost pleasing

I suppose I'd rather he was a bit over than a bit under, bearing in mind that ehs' no spring chicken, and he's living out 24/7 and not in work. Still needs to drop a few pounds to give his dodgy legs a chance to heal though. He was on conditioning mix when I got him, as apparently he drops weight very quickly. Can't say I've noticed that so far!

Son isn't that tall (yet)- hovering round the 6ft mark. He's very solid though - and so he should be, with the blood of 3 great rugby playing nations flowing through his veins! The pic is probably slightly deceptive as he was trying to groom with about 4 ft of space between him and Alf. He keeps getting his toes trodden on!