Really shocked by this picture in horse and hound this week. Is it just me!?
- Thread starter Patterdale
- Start date
Tiddlypom
Carries on creakily
Good grief. The message just doesn't get through, does it.
Seeing as there are no shows for it to waddle around at, maybe the producers can put it on a diet and it can lose, say 100 kg?
Seeing as there are no shows for it to waddle around at, maybe the producers can put it on a diet and it can lose, say 100 kg?
Bernster
Well-Known Member
Lightweight cob ?
Pippity
Well-Known Member
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
The message seriously is not getting through. If that horse was as far the other end of the condition scoring they’d be liable to prosecution. It’s cruelty.
What’s worrying though is that this isn’t a post on social media. This is in the magazine, a magazine that claims to speak out against equine obesity but that’s plainly just lip service. This has passed under the eyes of dozens of people who all must have thought it ok. More than ok - a good picture to use!
It’s disgusting. Poor horse.
What’s worrying though is that this isn’t a post on social media. This is in the magazine, a magazine that claims to speak out against equine obesity but that’s plainly just lip service. This has passed under the eyes of dozens of people who all must have thought it ok. More than ok - a good picture to use!
It’s disgusting. Poor horse.
Patterdale
Well-Known Member
Cheers pippity!
Aoife 2020
Well-Known Member
To be absolutely honest I have seen worse
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Tarragon
Well-Known Member
It also isn't nice to see it ridden with its head pulled in like that 
honetpot
Well-Known Member
But in March? By June it could be off its feet.
Velcrobum
Well-Known Member
I could not believe my eyes when I saw the picture on page 54 of a male riding a cob that he is far too large to ride. Even worse it was made champion.
oldie48
Well-Known Member
When a very well known showing person saw Rose I was told she was far too light and needed buckets more feed. Yes, she's still a bit short of topline but that will come through the proper work, otherwise I'd say she is spot on. Sad isn't it?
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
That is one seriously obese horse, poor thing. I agree about his head being pulled in too. Does not make a pretty picture at all. He is clipped too so his coat isn't making him look fatter, it is just fat.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
No it's not just you.
That is no lightweight! It makes me so cross that judges put fat horses up the line.
That is no lightweight! It makes me so cross that judges put fat horses up the line.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
It’s a show cob.
I’m more shocked when I see slim fit ones
I’m more shocked when I see slim fit ones
Goldenstar
Well-Known Member
On its front down in its back hugely fat .
Frankly I have zero interest in being in any way associated with showing .
All I see in a picture like that is wasted potential and a shortened life .
Frankly I have zero interest in being in any way associated with showing .
All I see in a picture like that is wasted potential and a shortened life .
windand rain
Well-Known Member
Awful why oh why
HBB
Well-Known Member
I bet the poor thing can hardly breath with that thick fat neck pulled in tight squashing his larynx, permanent damage in the making
Velcrobum
Well-Known Member
Perhaps write to H&H if enough people do it they might take notice. I for one wish that condition scoring was a mandatory part of the judging process with serious deductions the fatter they are. Great Yorkshire was starting to make steps in the welfare direction by stopping people too heavy for the pony riding them.
NinjaPony
Well-Known Member
Honestly that picture is why I switched to dressage.....
Rider in a chair seat, horse over-weight, over-bent and on the forehand.
Don't get me wrong, none of us are perfect, pictures can be a moment in time and dressage also has its flaws. But for that picture to be held up as an 'ideal' tells you all you need to know about ridden showing IMO....
It's a shame, show horses are often brilliant once you undo some of the showing habits and get the weight off.
Rider in a chair seat, horse over-weight, over-bent and on the forehand.
Don't get me wrong, none of us are perfect, pictures can be a moment in time and dressage also has its flaws. But for that picture to be held up as an 'ideal' tells you all you need to know about ridden showing IMO....
It's a shame, show horses are often brilliant once you undo some of the showing habits and get the weight off.
Leo Walker
Well-Known Member
They were only interested in adults riding ponies, it wasnt really about being too heavy at all, as various unsuitable combos were allowed to compete still.
poiuytrewq
Well-Known Member
Why don’t these obese horses get laminitis? Mine are no where near that fat and still
I struggle ?
?
I struggle ?
?
ester
Not slacking multitasking
and based on current pony weight not 'ideal' iirc. which just adds to this issue.
I suspect a fair number do get lami, you just dont ever hear about them.
J&S
Well-Known Member
That photo is shocking but it is not the first of it's kind and sadly won't be the last.
windand rain
Well-Known Member
Many do but if they survive long enough to win big the producers get good positive advertising and prestige. I hate the way showing does so much damage as the problem of obesity filter down to those starting out an hundreds more suffer. Condition scoring done by a trained operative would help reduce this. I keep seeing posts here and on social media telling people with slim horses that they need feeding up and they look poor. When most look great. The welfare issue with fat horses is as bad as the neglect and skinny horses in fact in some cases worse. Sorry get off my soapbox but it is something I feel strongly aboutWhy don’t these obese horses get laminitis? Mine are no where near that fat and still
I struggle ?
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
It is a lightweight cob, that is unfit, haylage belly on it, little top line, fat crest, thick jowl which shows very badly on this picture due to being winched in and forcing the jowl shut.
The definition of lightweight, heavyweight and maxi cob has nothing to do with the physical weight of the cob.
Pippity
Well-Known Member
Oh, I know! It just seemed particularly ironic considering the fat pads on the horse in question.
Bonnie Allie
Well-Known Member
I felt sadder for those poor little poppets in the showing article with their silly red ribbons sticking out the side of their heads, carbon copies of one another and EVERY pony in the main picture being in a Wilkie. Poor children, and poor ponies.
The article that went with the photos though was excellent. Really balanced and interesting.
The article that went with the photos though was excellent. Really balanced and interesting.
honetpot
Well-Known Member
I think some 'retire' and then they disappear. A lot of showing is about perception and not reality, some people would call it something else.Why don’t these obese horses get laminitis? Mine are no where near that fat and still
I struggle ?
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
That's repulsive, poor animal
Why is it that people can see the problem with a severely underweight animal but fail to see the opposite end of the problem is just as bad..??
Fit for function should come into it surely...
Why is it that people can see the problem with a severely underweight animal but fail to see the opposite end of the problem is just as bad..??
Fit for function should come into it surely...
Errin Paddywack
Well-Known Member
When I was in my teens and going hunting back in the late 60's, there was someone who hunted two gorgeous true cobs, a grey and a chestnut. In superb condition, hogged and tails plaited up out of the way. They were fabulous and I am sure were also shown, they were certainly cracking hunters. They have always been my blueprint for what a cob should look like. Haven't seen anything to equal them since mores the pity.