New photos of Ted

[miriam vernon]

Here are some photo's of Ted taken this evening - sorry about my shadow getting in the way. I've just started trying to get him fitter so its early days.

I would love to know what people think of his weight conformation e.t.c. My neighbour says he's too fat, but I just think he's unfit.

Please give good honest opinions.

[joosie]

I think he does look a little overweight, especially from the back view. But I don't know what he usually looks like - is this his natural shape and size?

[aliw]

I've never seen photos of him him before but he's a sweetie! I love him!
His bottom is a bit big, but that's cobs for you! :)

[miriam vernon]

Ted was alot fatter than this when I got him so when I look at him my heart thinks he looks fantastic thought unfit, but my head is more realistic! He does have an enormous backside :D When he gets fit will his bottom shrink a bit or will it still be huge, but muscular rather than fatty?

He's a cutie though - he's a 13.2hh Fell/ Welsh Cross by the way.

[SarahJay]

He looks fine to me :)

He has the cutest face!! :D

[joosie]

Ted was alot fatter than this when I got him so when I look at him my heart thinks he looks fantastic thought unfit, but my head is more realistic! He does have an enormous backside :D When he gets fit will his bottom shrink a bit or will it still be huge, but muscular rather than fatty?

He's a cutie though - he's a 13.2hh Fell/ Welsh Cross by the way.

It's his bottom I was thinking of, because of the dip along his quarters and down to the top of his tail. I think when he is fitter it will just tone up rather than get smaller - he is a cob after all :)

[miriam vernon]

I have a picture of a cob walking away from the camera in my tackroom. It had really well defined muscles and that picture is what I aspire to!!

[Tangle]

There's a cob at the riding school I used to go to that must do a good 2 to 3 hours work 5 to 6 days a week. He's pretty fit and you can feel his ribs, but he STILL has an apple bum :D.

Have you condition scored him? It has other things you should look for - the one that always sticks in my mind is that you should be able to feel but not see the ribs easily :)

[3 day eventer]

he looks just fine to me. he has a good conformation although his hind legs are a little straight for his blood lines he is looking fine!
His apple bum will not effect him in his work at all. He looks a good weight stomach wise and although I cant really see his neck that is where all the fat would build up, if he has a bulge on his top line and along his crest then he might want to lose a bit more weight but he seriously looks ok to me.
His stance is fine he does not look as though he is struggling to weight bear at all, He has very good legs and good bone. he looks like a healthy well looked after pony to me!

[ambatt]

He just has a good cob bottom! I think his middle bit will tone up beautifully with a bit of work. He looks a lovely honest sort of cob and is quite nicely put together.

My cob looks good from the front but looks thinner than she is as she is long in the back and herring gutted. Your boy is wonderfully proportional.

[chickflick1066]

Ok, I am aware its supposed to be 'adults only' but I couldnt resist replying! In those photos your Ted looks identical to my Stumpy!

Ahh was trying to find the pics which are identical but there not on the puter! Sorry.

I like the shape of Ted, if only Stumpy was like that - shes very overweight but shes also on a diet!

Good luck - hes gorgeous!

[mustang fan]

It is his bum that looks alittle "large" (I try not to be offensive) Dont feel bad my loan horse is "well fed" :rolleyes: .

[mu0ljk]

He just looks like a lovely cob! I don't think he looks particularly overweight. And he has a beautiful long thick tail too!!

[No_Angel]

I think he looks good considering he hasn't done much work. My HW cob is hunting fit and only a bit thinner than him, but more toned! :D

[miriam vernon]

Thanks everyone - I think he's marginally overweight, but they may also have more to do with lack of muscle. Hopefully I will get him fit this summer and then lloking at him each Spring won't look like such an uphill struggle!!

He does have a gorgeous tail - because he has white flecks throughout his coat his tail is mainly black, but has loads of other colours in it as well. I've also found the most fantastic brush from the Robinsons catalogue for tails and manes (Oster Mane and Tail Brush pg 162 £9.95) worth every penny - it just slides through the tangles.

Anyway what is condition scoring - it sounds interesting and would like to learn more. How does it work and what do you look for e.t.c. Please educate me.

Another question for you all. I'm planning to start jumping Ted and have bought NEW lightweight Competition Boots. If he wears the boots do I have to take his feathers off or does it depend on how often I use the boots. I want him protected, but I also love his feathers. What is the best thing to do?

[Tangle]

Anyway what is condition scoring - it sounds interesting and would like to learn more. How does it work and what do you look for e.t.c. Please educate me.
Condition scoring is an alternative way for you to monitor your horse's fat deposits, based on the amount of fat on the rump, ribs, crest, etc. There's a pretty good description here (http://www.cyberhorse.net.au/cgi-bin/tve/displaynewsitem.pl?20031205conditionscoring.txt) , which I think was originaly posted by Est, that has written descriptions and pictures of what you should find :).

The brush sounds good - might have to try and find one. Can't help on the boots though - have you tried calling N.E.W.?

[NoviceNic]

I just love big bottoms. I have a cob and a Shetland. I could squeeze their bottoms all day. :p If I were to compare your Ted's bottom to my Captain who is 14 2hh heavyweight cob I would say Ted has a bigger bottom. So maybe he could loose a little weight but I don't think your far off with Ted. Well done for being rigid and trying to get his weight down. My farrier advised me to put my Shetland on gravel for a while when I first bought her. She was huge. I bought a grazing muzzle and really felt a meany. But it is better in this case to be cruel to be kind. ;)

[No_Angel]

With the brushing boots you don't have to take his feathers off at all, just put the boots on like you normally would. :)

[ponylover88]

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[miriam vernon]

I bought NEW light Competition boots at great expense and then came to my senses and realised that he doesn't need boots. He's only just started jumping and we'll only being doing the minimus and/or begginers jumping class at the local show. I had also bought them with hunting in mind, but I just think he'll get really hot and uncomrtable - so what a waste of money!!

[No_Angel]

The horse might not need boots but when jumping I nearly always boot mine up, just in case, as it better than then knocking themselves

[notpoodle]

awww hes gorgeous :)

[LokiSofi]

:D I keep getting really confused as my pony is called Ted too. :o :o I keep thinking oh new pictures of Ted when did I post these then realise not only is not my horse but it's not my name :rolleyes: :o :o
He's a beauty. and if you all think he has a big Bum you should see my mums horse Max. He has a very big behind. He is a welsh section D and is very trim but still has biggus bummus :D

[miriam vernon]

What is your Ted's show name. I need to think of a posh name for Ted for when he goes to his first show on 12th June. The only suggestions I've had from people is Father Ted!!

No Angel, if I put boots on Ted I think I'll have to take off his feathers and I can't bear the idea of that. I've decided not to wear boots until I start progressing to bigger jumps and I'll ask people to keep an eye on his action just incase I need to change the plan of action.

I've even started popping over small logs out on hacks now and he loves it - definitely born to jump!!

[BuckskinsRule]

Wow! He has a beautiful long white blaze! Is he a draft or draft cross?
He's a little overweight, but a handsome ride!

[miriam vernon]

He's a Fell/Welsh Cross. I've come to the conclusion that is a bit of a blob at the moment, but no matter how much I ride him with all the spring grass he keeps getting fatter! Under the flab is he getting reasonably fit! Honest :D