Sitting on my hands...

JulesRules

JulesRules

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When an acquaintance posts a pic of their horse being got "show ready" on Facebook and everyone gushes about how gorgeous it is and how good it looks.

I think it looks pretty overweight and quite cresty. Am I the only one that can see it or is everyone else just being polite?

I'm tempted to say something for the wellbeing of the horse but then it will be WW3 on Facey 😲😲

My horse is a fatty but at least I'm aware and try my best to manage it. This person seems unaware the horse needs to diet 😔
 
JulesRules said:
When an acquaintance posts a pic of their horse being got "show ready" on Facebook and everyone gushes about how gorgeous it is and how good it looks.

I think it looks pretty overweight and quite cresty. Am I the only one that can see it or is everyone else just being polite?

I'm tempted to say something for the wellbeing of the horse but then it will be WW3 on Facey ����

My horse is a fatty but at least I'm aware and try my best to manage it. This person seems unaware the horse needs to diet ��
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cant see it?/
 
I wouldn’t do it in public on FB, but if the condition was threatening the horse’s health I may drop in a bit of feedback in private (as in, real life not pm). The written word has the capacity to be misread.
 
Just to add, someone did that for me, years ago, with one of my horses, a big rangy ISH. He’d lost weight in winter, although was still fit and going beautifully. I hadn’t seen it, just thinking he was fit. She quietly told me that his condition was verging on poor and suggested a couple of feed products to put weight back on safely. I was incredibly grateful and was able to take positive action to improve his condition.
 
Well I think I would stick with feeling vindicated and leave it at that ;) It's just not really your place to say. I feel your frustration though, I sit on my hands a LOT.
 
In my experience there are two types of fat horse owners - the ones who know it & are at least attempting to manage it, and those who are in complete denial. Sometimes the latter group eventually join the first but I have to say it takes years. Might be worth a comment in person to start the conversion process but I wouldn't risk it online and definitely not in a public comment thread - you'll have morons saying "he looks great" "show condition" etc. which just reinforces the owner's delusions. I know people who completely ignored their vet for years before realising.
 
Oh believe me I've wanted to say something about a pony I sold years ago but it's not mine to pass comment on. I made a remark about the fact that the pony obviously loves their food. Some people just do not see fat. My friend thinks mine are light but it is much healthier to be able to feel ribs than to be able to pinch more than an inch or several!
 
apercrumbie said:
In my experience there are two types of fat horse owners - the ones who know it & are at least attempting to manage it, and those who are in complete denial. Sometimes the latter group eventually join the first but I have to say it takes years. Might be worth a comment in person to start the conversion process but I wouldn't risk it online and definitely not in a public comment thread - you'll have morons saying "he looks great" "show condition" etc. which just reinforces the owner's delusions. I know people who completely ignored their vet for years before realising.
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Three types: those managing horses who can’t do much, who live on fresh air and who can remove muzzles in under a minute. Like me. Actually, one vet said he’s bang on, another said he’s verging on fat. I’m paranoid, so I think I’m aware, but it’s next to impossible to get weight off a horse who is given no hard feed but can’t do lots.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Three types: those managing horses who can’t do much, who live on fresh air and who can remove muzzles in under a minute. Like me. Actually, one vet said he’s bang on, another said he’s verging on fat. I’m paranoid, so I think I’m aware, but it’s next to impossible to get weight off a horse who is given no hard feed but can’t do lots.
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In your defence I would put you in the first group - you are aware of the danger that your horse could easily get fat and therefore are more likely to take steps to rectify it as appropriate. My old boy was the same - it was a constant battle to keep him slim but at least I could admit it when he had got tubby and could stay strong when he had lost weight in order to keep it off!
 
You have to pick your battles. If you don't know them that well and are not likely to see them about much, id be the type the just say "oh he is a big lad isnt he" lol
 
When I had had my first horse for a few months I sent some pictures to the previous owner with an update on how he had settled in. I mentioned that said horse was happy and 'doing' well. The previous owner replied very politely that he looked to be doing maybe a bit TOO well. I took the hint and restricted the grazing a bit more conscientiously.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Three types: those managing horses who can’t do much, who live on fresh air and who can remove muzzles in under a minute. Like me. Actually, one vet said he’s bang on, another said he’s verging on fat. I’m paranoid, so I think I’m aware, but it’s next to impossible to get weight off a horse who is given no hard feed but can’t do lots.
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Im number three.
Elephant wont wear a muzzle, has had ulcers last year and had since aug last year off with a suspensory branch injury. We have just got the all clear for three months walk work.

Ive had people asking why he has a bucket feed when he comes in, its honeychop lite and healthy to replace half his soaked hay ration and it has his ulcer sup sprinkled into it other wise he gets arsey and bloated
 
Op how about sharing some articles on weight management? Ive done that in the past, esp one about rugging, and friends have commented that reading it has helped them.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Three types: those managing horses who can’t do much, who live on fresh air and who can remove muzzles in under a minute. Like me. Actually, one vet said he’s bang on, another said he’s verging on fat. I’m paranoid, so I think I’m aware, but it’s next to impossible to get weight off a horse who is given no hard feed but can’t do lots.
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That’s pretty much mine. He’s 23 and I can’t rack him around trying to get weight off. He had chaff and balancer for his joint supplements. I’m loathe to muzzle but am considering it. I know it will make him miserable.
 
cinnamontoast said:
Three types: those managing horses who can’t do much, who live on fresh air and who can remove muzzles in under a minute. Like me. Actually, one vet said he’s bang on, another said he’s verging on fat. I’m paranoid, so I think I’m aware, but it’s next to impossible to get weight off a horse who is given no hard feed but can’t do lots.
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Same here. I know Diva is overweight, and I am trying my absolute hardest but it feels like I’m in an impossible situation. I can only lightly exercise her because of her breathing problem, which, typically, is made worse in summer by the heat and pollen. She removes muzzles in under 10seconds by standing on the chin of them and pulling upwards with force. Currently she is spending much more time in the stable than on the grass, which I hate, but is a necessary evil.
I spend summer permanently stressed and feeling like the worlds worst owner.
 
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