Too fat? **photos**

[Bossdog]

Despite lunging/long reining about 3 times a week and lots of in hand work (no saddle till last week), stabling overnight and reduced rations, I still think Katie is looking a bit heavy but I'm not sure if it's just her build, honest opinions? She's about 14.3hh and the weightape reckons she's about 547kg...

And this is the day we got her, hasn't she come on in two months?! (she might be fatter now but she's a darn sight happier!!)

 

[cazzr]

I don't really think so. You probably wouldn't want her to put on any more weight but if you now have a saddle and will be riding more then that should keep things under control.

It's worth getting some details off the web about condition scoring and seeing what she comes up as. Reason I say is my mare can sometimes look fat if she has a bit of a 'grass belly' but on inspection/scoring her, she's about right.

 

[bex1984]

I think she looks lovely, not too fat at all.

She defo looks much happier and shinier...I remember seeing her advertised on horsemart a few months ago and thinking she was a bit of a sad looking pony...you've done a great job with her so far.

 

[MillionDollar]

I wouldn't say shes fat, just nicely covered. A good indicator to see if she is too fat is to run your hand over her ribs, if you can feel them quite easily then shes about right. Also look at the shape of her bum from behind. It shouldn't be apple shaped.

Hope that helps, shes a lovely horse BTW!

 

[Cahill]

mine is 539kg and lives on that much a day(see pic),she is 14hh3 and more porky than i want.

 

[Bossdog]

Aww Cahill, she's a sweetie, what a lovely face!! Just out of curiosity, how tall are you? I don't have any pics of me on Katie and I worry I look too big on her but you look just right on yours and she's got such a similar build...

 

[harrihjc]

she doesn't look fat to me, great improvement on when you got her, she's so shiny!

 

[Cahill]

i am 5f5ins, she is quite wide which takes my stirrups up a bit.she is ten,i`ve had her 8 years.

 

[Bossdog]

Katie is ten too, although she thinks she's three (new lease of life you see!). I'm 5'6" and she's pretty wide, you would not believe the trouble I had getting a saddle to fit her, so hopefully I look ok on her. Mind you, given how much dancing she does, I don't even think she knows I'm on her half the time!!

 

[Cahill]

everyone thinks mine bigger than what she measures.i would describe her as an armchair with springs!just bought a thorowgood cob saddle which i like very much and was under £200.got it so as not to use my leather one in the rain but now i think i may sell the leather one cos it is not getting used at all.i particulary like chunky bay cobs.well done.

 

[ISHmad]

I think she looks fine, especially as you are going to be able to start riding her now. She looks like a completely different (and happier) horse now, you've done a lovely job with her.

 

[Paint it Lucky]

I think she looks alright, she is certainly not obese and in much better condition then a lot of the horses that get posted asking if they're too fat! I would be quite happy with that condition in light work though wouldn't want her to get any bigger. Once she starts working more she should tone up quite easily and look really good. Well done, she looks much healthier and happier now then in her arrival photo.

 

[MagicMelon]

I personally think he's a little on the chunky side. But it depends what you do with him. I have a Welsh D who's suddenly blown up - he's built like yours but Ive put him on a diet just now as he's too heavy for competing in SJ and ODE's! If you don't do anything like this then Id say he's fine, but verging on being fat. He's very nice though! Lovely colour.

 

[Sparklet]

Your grass looks pretty good and I would be really careful - not too fat at the moment but you really dont want any more weight on her. The sooner you get the saddle on her and start working her the better.

I did notice from your piccie how much better her feet look. It might be the angle of the photo but the 'just bought' pic make her feel look out of alignment and quite boxy.

 

[Bossdog]

Thanks, her feet are much better, they were very uneven and the hinds were boxy and splayed to the inside so she had some serious cowhocks. She's been done by the farrier twice now and her cowhocks are actually looking better, she's using her back end much better and she's really getting a nice muscly bottom. I'm amazed at what some good quality farriery can do!

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments, it's so nice to be reassured!