over weight horses !!! peoples opinion

[cassie summers]

That all depends on its height, I would expect a large, sturdy horse that was well muscled to be hitting the 600 mark.

my old ID X weighed 630 kilos he was 16'1 t he looked great won many hunter classes judges never commented on his weight even though he was probably a little bit porky i now have a shire x she is 16 hands and weighs 585 though when i got her in april she was 645

 

[cassie summers]

I presume the other horses' owners have eyes of there own...? And eyes are a FAR more accurate way to judge condition scores than those useless weigh tapes.

I think you should just concern yourself with your own horses.

If someone started telling me one of my horses was overweight (and one is) then I'd not be overly impressed.

totally agree i am not interested in anyone elses opinions i rarely ask people anything unless its my instructor and really dont give my opinion as it would get me into trouble just go to the yard to do my horse and enjoy her

 

[angus and solly]

I haven't posted this to affend the owner of the horse but only cause i am concerned for the horses welfare. As there seems to be an under lying problem in the horsey world of over weight horses, but to most isnt recognised. There is more long term illnesses caused by overweight horses than under weight horses ie, laminitis, heart, liver and lung problems and prolonged life.

It is are job to keep control of the horses diet and exercise. A horse will just eat what is in front of it, and a horse can never tell you when there is a problem. So its for us to do and understand what is best for are horses welfare and not for what we think looks best.

I dont deliberately try to upset or make people angry but i only do and say things for the benefit of the horses!

If your a true horse lover you would totally understand my concerns.

 

[EstherYoung]

The cobs look fine - one looks fitter than the other but they both look the same 'condition score' wise.

Angus doesn't look thin as such, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on. Does he have metabolic issues? He's very cresty but lacking topline. It might be the light but his coat doesn't look as good as the other two.

I'm a bit less worried about horses carrying a bit extra at this time of year to take them into winter. If they're still fat coming out of winter, that's when to panic

 

[teamsarazara]

Are you sure hes a section D? Never seen a section D like that before, he does look a bit underweight but tbh has nout to do with me! I do think its a bit unfair youve posted about the horses names and weights as anyone can see it! Maybe you could worry about angus weight and not other horses on the yard. Why were you measuring them anyway?

 

[angus and solly]

Yeah he is definitely a section d, nebo black magic is his grand father and his mother is derwen reply. We measured them because the owners asked us to, I jus didn't think they would give such high readings

 

[angus and solly]

And as for telling me to concentrate on Angus weight and not other peoples at least I understand that Angus needs abit more weight, and I'm feeding him accordingly. Most people don't realise when horses do have problems

 

[FionaM12]

If your a true horse lover you would totally understand my concerns.

So, if we simply say it's not our (or your) business whether someone else's horses are fat we're not true horse lovers? Strange idea!

Of course there are a lot of fat horses and of course it's probably not good for their health. There are also a lot of fat people and fat dogs around. I doubt there's anything to gain by preaching at others about it.

And if we WERE all to agree your friends horses are fat, how would that help?

 

[FionaM12]

We measured them because the owners asked us to, I jus didn't think they would give such high readings

I bet the owners didn't ask you to post their details on a public forum and ask strangers to agree they're obese!

Presumably they asked you to measure them because they're concerned, so isn't it now up to them what they do about it?

 

[touchstone]

The cobs look fine - one looks fitter than the other but they both look the same 'condition score' wise.

Angus doesn't look thin as such, but there's something I can't quite put my finger on. Does he have metabolic issues? He's very cresty but lacking topline. It might be the light but his coat doesn't look as good as the other two.

I'm a bit less worried about horses carrying a bit extra at this time of year to take them into winter. If they're still fat coming out of winter, that's when to panic

I'd second this post; Angus does have a look of a horse with metabolic issues, my mare has visible ribs but a cresty neck and needs to be managed carefully. As for it being 'our' concern regarding the diet and exercise of all horses, I would say that it its the owners responsibility. I'm sure that the vet would be happy to advise on weight when out to do routine jabs etc if the owners wanted to; but definitely don't rely on weight tapes as an assesment of weight.

 

[teamsarazara]

And as for telling me to concentrate on Angus weight and not other peoples at least I understand that Angus needs abit more weight, and I'm feeding him accordingly. Most people don't realise when horses do have problems

My horse has issues with weight,and it is hard work to keep it on but if someone was posting all over horse and hound forum about her being underweight i would not be pleased! you asked peoples opinion and as you asked, thats what your getting!

 

[FionaM12]

Quote: "The other 2 horses i weighed arent mine but i keep being told by there owners that my welsh cob is to skinny and he needs to put on loads of weight and become fat basically which i dont agree with."

OP, if you're honest with yourself, are you sure you posting your friend's "obese" horses' details and photo isn't really because you're a little cross because they keep telling you yours is too skinny?

This does look rather like a yard tiff to me.

 

[JFTDWS]

Of course there are a lot of fat horses and of course it's probably not good for their health. There are also a lot of fat people and fat dogs around. I doubt there's anything to gain by preaching at others about it.

Whilst I agree that whether we agree or not that the horses are obese is irrelevant since we can't do anything about it, I completely disagree with this notion. HHO is quick enough to concern itself when photos of skinny horses are posted, which is absolutely no worse than obese animals. By your rationale it is none of our business if owners choose to abuse their animals violently, whip and spur them into jumps / races, chase lame veterans over jumps in the name of free-schooling etc (I pick a few topics that have produced long threads where the target has been widely condemned).

I couldn't care less if owners choose to eat themselves into an early grave, but it is considered cruelty in the eyes of the law to do the same to any animal in your care - be that horse, dog or siberian tiger. In my opinion, vets, yard owners or other professionals (RI etc) have the right (and duty) to inform owners that their animals are obese, regardless of whether that opinion is sought by the owner. Any concerned party who isn't directly involved has the right to inform a welfare association if the animal is seriously obese (not just a little lardy and out of condition) or to politely discuss the situation with the owner (accepting that most owners won't appreciate this - but if it's done subtly and tactfully they MIGHT learn something). Some owners genuinely are oblivious to the dangers of obesity and some are simply not aware that their horses are overweight. IME bringing up the topic of condition scoring and the dangers of obesity generally mid conversation and asking (again conversationally, not aggressively) if they've ever scored their horse tends to work better than telling owners that their animal is obese. Same for dogs too.

Regarding the horses in the OP - the photos of the cobs show very little. Condition scores are hard to judge without feeling for conformational markers - i.e. questions like "is the animal wide in the rib cage or are the ribs narrower but covered in 2" of fat?". But neither look grossly obese at first glance (not obvious welfare cases). You're right to be concerned about obesity in general, but you would do better to raise specific cases with the owners rather than to go behind their backs on a public forum.

 

[Sian M]

Hi!

Ive always had people say to me 'wow your horse is chubby'...

I have a 13hh welsh x shetland- not the best of breeds to contend with when looking at controlling weight! he weighs in about 375kg which is a tad heavy but!...

He gets 3lb of 24hr soaked haylage...
1 sc hi fi good doer a day
restricted turnout- so its not like his weight isnt controlled!

Also, i have a 14.3hh that weights in at 425kg which for his breed isnt too bad
and i also have a 16.1hh sports horse weighing in at around 650kg.

All my horses are slightly heavier than what they should be, however a lot is to do with breeds as mine are fed according to BW, workload and requirements. Equine nutrition was part of my BSc (Hons) Equine Science degree! Everyone has diff opinions on fat/ skinny ponies

 

[JFTDWS]

Hi!

Ive always had people say to me 'wow your horse is chubby'...

I have a 13hh welsh x shetland- not the best of breeds to contend with when looking at controlling weight! he weighs in about 375kg which is a tad heavy but!...

He gets 3lb of 24hr soaked haylage...
1 sc hi fi good doer a day
restricted turnout- so its not like his weight isnt controlled!

Also, i have a 14.3hh that weights in at 425kg which for his breed isnt too bad
and i also have a 16.1hh sports horse weighing in at around 650kg.

All my horses are slightly heavier than what they should be, however a lot is to do with breeds as mine are fed according to BW, workload and requirements. Equine nutrition was part of my BSc (Hons) Equine Science degree! Everyone has diff opinions on fat/ skinny ponies

With the greatest will in the world, if your horses are persistently overweight (and I mean by condition score NOT tape or weigh bridge) then they are NOT being fed appropriately according to workload etc. If they were, you would have them at optimal condition scores by now (assuming they're not recent acquisitions). You may think taking a module in nutrition as part of a "degree" makes you an expert, but it doesn't - if you are unsure of condition scoring or how to adjust the diet AND WORKLOAD to ensure you can hit an acceptable condition score, you should seek the advice of a professional - a vet. If however, your horses condition score OK, then their weights (and your post) are somewhat irrelevant. Having a welsh x shet is not an excuse. I have a HW cob and highlands, all of whom I can keep in good shape by being sensible about workload and feeding. Just because a horse is a good doer neither means it "should" be fat, nor that it is more acceptable for it to be so.

Ultimately, whether people's opinions differ or not is irrelevant - there is no debate in the scientific literature over whether it is healthy to be obese.

 

[Emilieu]

People always comment on my horse's weight - he came as a hatrack and today was referred to as 'chubby'. He's not, you can feel his ribs easily, but coming into winter I was not unhappy with the comment. I'm always happy to take opinions on board and would appreciate someone pointing out to me if he was too fat/thin - but I would be beyond furious if someone put his pic up on a public forum for discussion.

 

[scarymare]

I got told by a dressage trainer last year that my horse was underweight. 2 days later went on a pleasure ride with endurance riding and he won the best condition Rosette which I understand to be highly coveted. Says it all really, 2 really competent judges with 2 completely different viewpoints.

 

[FionaM12]

I'm always happy to take opinions on board and would appreciate someone pointing out to me if he was too fat/thin - but I would be beyond furious if someone put his pic up on a public forum for discussion.

That's the main point to me. There's another thread running today on the topic of what to say to the owner of an obese horse, for the horse's sake, which seems reasonable. But this posting of photos, horses' names and photo does look a bit like yard bickering, as I said earlier.

 

[Magicmillbrook]

I dont think Angus looks thin at all, just lacking in muscle and a little dull coated (poss loosing his summer coat and growing into his woolies?). Havent had to deal with metabolic issues so cant comment.

OP I realy wouldnt bother too much with weight tapes as they dont take into account the 'type' of horse, I only use them to monitor change. I have 1 horse and three ponies, all different types and the only real way to check their weight is by condition scoring and knowing them inside out.

One of ours seems to put on weight all over and can go from normal to looking like an over stuffed sausage in a matter of weeks. Honey puts it on her crest wheas big AL has issues with her bum (dont we all darling!). Getting weight off a good doer whilst trying to maintain their vit & min intake and fibre ration is blimmin hard work so well done with your cob so far.

 

[bensababy]

Sorry havnt had time to read all replies, however Angus has a very cresty neck - OP have you had him checked over recently for any metabolic issues? My boy is looking same, lean but cresty and he is a Cushings sufferer.

 

[Sian M]

Ps in addition to my post, I was not acting an 'expert' and my horses are fine with their condition scores. The vet reg checks them alongside visits for vaccinations etc therefore by not mentioning their condition score It was automatically assumed the welfare of my horses weight was not of my concern!

 

[Devonshire dumpling]

That's true, and I just said some of the owners on my yard are obese...

OMG this made me laugh!! Not the fact you said it, but the fact you had a panic...