Opinion on body score for this little one

[GypsGal1718]

Thanks,

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would say a bit to well covered especially for the time of year

 

[Surbie]

If that were mine, I would be trying to increase exercise, cutting out/down any feed and muzzling.

However my own horse doesn't look much different, despite all the above. I really empathise!!

 

[GypsGal1718]

Yep am exercising and we are doing well but we only got her in December and she was fatter then!

 

[nutjob]

The warm, wet weather is causing the grass to grow like mad where I am. She looks like she could drop a bit more and the neck looks quite cresty in the picture so I'd be particularly careful about grass intake atm.

 

[misst]

Don't want to worry you but she looks very like our old girl did just before she went down with lami having never had it before. Not hugely fat but cresty and a bit too well covered. It was this time of year too - a warm wet May and early June. I hope she does well for you with the weight loss x

 

[ihatework]

4/5

 

[Highmileagecob]

Not looking too bad, in my opinion, given your starting point. Difficult to assess from the photo, but check she is not cresty. Cobs are a different body shape from others, they naturally have a flat back and a strong topline, and naturally have a big bum and a deep girth. You have to feel around to differentiate muscle from fat, and try to be able to feel some ribs. Watch out for fat accumulating on the neck and belly. Does she usually stand as she is in the photo, with front legs behind vertical? If yes, I would be checking those feet for sore heels, thrush, early lami etc..

 

[JenJ]

Yep am exercising and we are doing well but we only got her in December and she was fatter then!

If she's lost some weight already then you're already doing the right things. If she's not currently muzzled, then perhaps that could be something you could consider?

One of my section A's arrived with me a year ago weighing in at 320kg. I got her down to about 290kg over a few months, but she stuck there over winter. In the last month or two she's been muzzled on my track, come down to under 260kg, and looks fantastic.

 

[GypsGal1718]

No she doesn’t usually stand like that

 

[I'm Dun]

Not looking too bad, in my opinion, given your starting point. Difficult to assess from the photo, but check she is not cresty. Cobs are a different body shape from others, they naturally have a flat back and a strong topline, and naturally have a big bum and a deep girth. You have to feel around to differentiate muscle from fat, and try to be able to feel some ribs. Watch out for fat accumulating on the neck and belly. Does she usually stand as she is in the photo, with front legs behind vertical? If yes, I would be checking those feet for sore heels, thrush, early lami etc..

That is a fat horse, cob or not!

 

[eggs]

The cresty neck would worry me. I didn't see any 'before' photos but well done for recognising that she needs to lose weight and to making some progress.

 

[GypsGal1718]

Yep we are working on it, am exercising her and am backing her so we can get riding out more. She does have exceptionally wide shoulders, the same as my other girl how is a hand taller!

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

How long ago was the picture taken? That crest is a huge red flag, if you grip it either side of the mane does it feel hard and rigid or soft and squidgy? Either way I would remove from all grass immediately and alter the diet and regime completely.

I am sorry if that sounds alarming and judgemental but if you don't prevent laminitis immediately it will be a very painful and costly future for your lovely cob.

 

[GypsGal1718]

It’s flexible still. Picture taken a week ago and her stance is not like that normally I think it was just the picture

 

[ponynutz]

Mine doesn't look too much different bc she's not in any work and on the grass.

I think she's over 'perfect' but as long as she doesn't get any bigger she's absolutely fine. However, we're at the start of summer and in the midst of spring grass so you'll have to try a bit harder to keep her where she is.