Those with hairy barrel ponies (Haflingers in particular)

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HaffiesRock

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So my haflinger is a VERY good doer. Hes kept in a bare paddock, gets a slice of hay morning and evening and a scoop of fast fibre with his vitamin and mineral supplement. He's just coming back into work after a winter off, Hes lived out 24/7, unrugged.

My question is, how do you condition score a hairy barrel?

To look at he looks fat. He has his big round belly and an apple shaped bum, BUT I can easily feel all of his ribs, hip bones and spine.

So my question is, how do you decide if he's a good weight? Are Haffy's just built with big bellies and a cute apple bum?! He weight tapes at a little over 400 kg. He was more like 480kg when he came to me 6 months ago...

I've attached some pictures below. Some bad, but show him from different angles. Its just hard as he looks like a fat fury, but I can feel all ribs, shoulder blade, hips etc. Any opinions on his weight welcome. xx

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He looks in fair shape. You have to go by the condition score approach... If you can feel the ribs withoout having to dig around and can't locate fat pads then you are in safe territory.

Absent mindedly I felt for my girls ribs tonight while talking to a friend and was suddenly amazed that I could feel them straight away! It's working! :p
 
He is not fat - he is looking like I would expect for a haff at this time of year, especially one not in work. He needs condition in terms of muscles which will help him balance out.

Haffs are an example of not always using the apple bum as a guide for weight, it is a breed trait and even the sveltest of haffalumps will have one.
 
As the owner of an even more barrel shaped Fjord, I'd say he looks ok. You do have to go by feel, I find it very difficult to condition score my mare.
 
I'm glad to hear that :) I know he is very fury which doesnt help at all, but his ribs are really easy to feel. Cant wait for him to start shedding so I can see what he looks like underneath...

I love his apple bum so if I can keep that and him be a healthy weight I will be happy :D
 
I really don't think he looks overweight, honestly the shoulders look slim, you're doing well! The haflinger we used to ride was hunting fit and he never lost his apple! X
 
He looks great to me. My haffies live on thin air too, but muscle up really well when in regular work. Obviously now they are hairy muddy hippos :D

I love apple bum haffies, it's where I got my logo inspiration from (avatar, but you prob cant see it so well as is small)
 
I also have a hairy (highland).
Your pony looks a little slim, but fine for coming out of winter. He could do with a little more muscle perhaps but so could mine at the moment.
Lovely pony :)
 
I think he looks good too and what you describe sounds right for this time of year, I think he is a bit more naturally stocky than my haffy who has actually somewhat lost her apple bum recently but only just! It is the last thing to go I think but it can do! They do have naturally muscular quarters.

It is so hard to tell just looking at them with all the fluff, but I couldn't feel my girls spine when I got her and now I can feel her ribs reasonably easily, have actually upped her feed a little bit as worried she was losing too much during the snow!
 
You need to asses everything and give an overall score How much excess fat does he have in each area?. Also bear in mind that EMS ponies will have odd fatty patche (usually on the shoulders and bum) and a big crest but be very ribby.

So take each bit individually. His neck is is slim and a little weedy so would get a 2-2.5. He's a little ribby so would be a 2 there. Apple bum but no excess fat and the tail head and hips are prominent so again a 2. He has a bit of belly due to hay but doesn't look fatty so a 2.5. Giving him a score of 2-2.5 ish, which is the lean side of good.

He looks a good weight for a good doer coming into spring and I'd be happy with his weight.
 
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