I'll start you off. I am ashamed to admit that my mare has wintered rather too well and is currently fat (Condition score 4). 15.3hh Cob who lives off thin air, so is always a battle of the bulge!!
It is kinda cos they do still end up fat pigs in the summer, but I'd like my grey to keep a bit more condtition over the winter - 3 is perfect for a normal horse, for a good doer who isn't working too hard 4 is ok and a poor doer 2 is okay if they are fit and eating lots, otherwise 2 is too poor IMO.
Having checked my 31 yr old I really think he has come through as a 2-3 which is really pleasing as he generally doesnt do well. My 29 yr old is worryingly fat!!
My others are as I like them, a little lean but not thin.
Mine are all 3's except for the new one who is a 4 and one of the old ones who is about 2 - 2.5.....oh an of course Cloud is an 8 around the waist and a 2 on the haunches!
I just believe there is a worrying trend of horses being kept between fat (4) and Obese (5). Owner almost seem obsessional about keeping weight on, and horses of a normal weight (3) are seen as slim and those at (2) as cruelty cases.
(not too bad!!!). Mines a 4 and has only had hay all winter, god knows how I'm going to stop her gaining more weight in the summer!!!! Hopefully light evenings and lots of riding will help!!
I hope not!!! My grey in the pic is not much over a 2 at the mo and has as much hayledge as he can eat and a full bucket of hard feed a day!! AND he is feeling very wel in himself - too well infact!!
I agree with you that people want there horses too fat - some horses carry more weight and some don't - it's the same as people but I don't like how big people get horses for showing.
Thanks for the Pie.. needed doing.
Ted is a 2. i am proud to say he is a 2. He is happy, healthy, and enjoying life.
He is also gorgeous. My ideal is a 2 to 3 anymore than three and you stress the joints.. the laminae.. the soles.. the frog.. the bars evething.. However most cobs/good doers are 3 to 4 and obviosuly it all depends ont h horse.]
Lou x
Thanks, but there is no getting away from the fact that she is too fat (haven't got a rear view, but there is a definite gutter running to her tail!!!), especially as we are just coming out of winter. I'm not too worried, as I am at least aware of the issue, but it is a constant battle of the bulge (for both of us!!).
That's also part of the problem, people alway expect to see fat cob (I blame showing), but it really doesn't do their joints etc... any good to be carrying those extra pounds.
I think Chex is a 3-4 just now - I can't see his ribs but can feel them, no gutter but still a bit cresty. I think a 2 is more acceptable on a tb than a cob - seeing a tbs ribs is pretty normal, but on a cob it just looks wrong (IMO anyway!)