Pumpkin Comparison

[MadMumInKent]

I've had Pumpkin for almost 2 months now (how times flies) :)

Can you see any difference?
I think his coat has now got a lovely shine on it, and he's put on some weight too, his ribs are less obvious (though winter coat is adding some padding!)

Anyway, just wanted to share, I'm dead pleased with his progress :)

First 2 pics - taken during the week he arrived:

http://www.tammaro.co.uk/pumpkinday5a.jpg

http://www.tammaro.co.uk/pumpkinday5b.jpg

Last 2 pics, taken this morning, 2 months on:

http://www.tammaro.co.uk/pumpkin2months.jpg

http://www.tammaro.co.uk/pumpkin2monthsa.jpg

[flump1967]

Think he is gorgeous in both sets of pics but looks even better in the later ones!:)

[MadMumInKent]

Thanks Flumps :) I think so too, but then I'm slightly biased ;)

[nicolaj]

He looks really well!

How is he coming along with the schooling and moving from your leg and such like?

[MadMumInKent]

Hi Nicola, I just had a lesson on him this morning and we were working on exactly that - moving off from the leg. He's getting much better - We did lots of halt walk transitions to see how light I could make my aids. We got to the point where my YO couldn't actually see my legs squeeze him which is brilliant! There's still a way to go though. Once he's moving (plodding), I have to keep niggling at him to keep him going, so I've come to my senses, stopped being such a softy, and starting tapping him with the whip when he doesn't listen to my requests. I think most of the time I miss and get my leg, but it works ;) He is also very tuned into vocal requests, which I think comes from him working as a proper working horse in the past. A little 'click click' from me and he immediately picks up the pace :)

I've just ordered a Fulmer snaffle which I think will help with his aversion to being told in which direction to go, and then I think we'll be well on our way! To what... who knows ! ;)

[flump1967]

Have just had another drool over Pumpkin. Let me know if you ever want to part with him! Does he have a twin bother?!:D

[Cool Rider]

He looks like a big cuddly teddy bear and he also looks like he would be great to ride bareback

[nicolaj]

Hi Mad Mum

That's brill!

I keep hitting my own leg as well, but for some reason, be it the noise of the movement of the whip, it seems to work.

Fatty's walk could be a bit more 'active' but his trot and canter are really coming along. Did have a habit, probably still do of nagging at him in walk, and keep being 'told off' by my RI. Now if feel him slowing or need more activity, use leg if he doesn't listen then stick backed up by leg.

Good to see you're getting on well!:)

[pedantic]

Looks a bit like my daughters beast, very stubborn and thick skinned.

http://www.newrider.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=23025&stc=1&d=1132324081

[MadMumInKent]

I've not ridden him bareback... yet ;)

Flump, his temperament is to die for, he's the most soppy horse I've ever come across. When I got him, he spent the first week quivering with nerves, not sure what was going on. Then the week after that, he settled, and has been docile, placid, and eager to please ever since. I keep waiting for him to change, for him to suddenly get bolshy, or try it on, or... something. But nope, he's an angel.
I can't imagine ever parting with him, he's a horse for life :)

Pedantic - their colouring and also their heads are similar aren't they?! :)

[Colorado Sunset]

Has it really been 2 months??? Really doesnt seem like that! Any ways, he does verylook well, his coat is very shiny :D

Glad to hear the lessons are paying off and that you are noticing an improvement :D

Jo

[LMS]

Pumpkin looks really good! His pot belly's gone.
That's great about the leg aids too.
Way to go, keep it up.

[cazrider]

He looks great MMIK:D A credit to you. He'sa bit like a big teddy isn't he.

[Peanut]

He's absolutely lovely. How old is he and where did you get him?

[Pink Pony]

Pumpkin looks happy in the last two pictures! In the first two he looks sort of 'resigned'. His coat definately looks shinier in the second two piccies - but a healthy shine not a 'coat gloss' shine - so well done for all your grooming etc etc etc. I think Pumpkin is a wonderful name, what a lovely horse!

[hApPiNeSs]

gorgeous :D

he looks stunning in both sets :D

[Skib]

Mad Mum he is beautiful. As for hitting your own boot - Mark Rashid tells his soft-hearted UK women students to do that to get a horse moving. Can have consequences though. My usual horse jumped a mile sideways - she was so surprised.
I'm one of those on the board interested in how to keep a horse moving in the school, so please post back further installments.

[nutkin]

He's looking stunning MMIK. He looks so much more relaxed and happy too in the bottom pics. Glad to hear you are getting along well with him. It looks like you have finally found your perfect match.

[Tiber]

He's looking a lot better now - he looks a nicer shape. And lovely and fluffy too! Hon looks like a fluffy bear too - and she lasted out all last night with no rug on and she was WARM when I went to see her this morning - and it was MINUS FOUR degrees!

I love the look of the fluffy monsters! :)

[pedantic]

Our Heffalump is very vocal, butter woudn't melt to look at her and she is lovely but very stubborn, must be because she is female :) apparently they can live to be 40,

[MadMumInKent]

Pedantic - female - stubborn? NEVER! ;)

Tiber, yes, his bum is starting to get round. But it really needs muscling up rather than fattening up. I succumbed and rugged Pumpkin the other day, he has a MW in the daytime, and a light stable rug in the night. It was heaven today, getting him in and not having to spend an hour de-mudding before riding!

Nutkin - thanks :) I was talking to my YO today actually about my relationship with Tally compared to that of Pumpkin, and its a whole different ball game, I trust Pumpkin completely :)

Skib - I'll keep you posted on that. Pumpkin's idea of schooling is:
Oooo Mum said I'm a good boy, must be time to stop!
Ooooo we're next to the gate, must be time to stop!
Ooooo we're in the centre of the school, must be time to stop!
And so on and on and on!

Thanks Happiniess :)

Pink Pony - the shine definately comes from within, he's been on a Simple System supplement called Eclipse Recovery....
"Eclipse Recovery=
A tonic feed based on fermented wild flower meadow forages from Austria, with horseradish. High in naturally occurring minerals and metabolites of microbial fermentation. Appears to act as a boost to the immune system and aids recovery from viral infection. Used for horses following a hard season, recovering from infection or just needing a boost. Does not contain yeast."
Its really helped to pick him up.

Buttercup - I found him in a local riding school. His age is a mystery. The vet who did the vetting said around 6, but the dentist has said around 8 or 9. He's a Thuringen, which is a German draught horse.

Thankyou LMS and Corado Sunset :) Its very satisfying watching the changes.

[BackintheSaddle]

I am so in love with Hafflingers. We have two in our barn, and they are such good boys (although perhaps a little on the dimwitted side). They mostly plod along with the itty-bitty lessons, bless their big fluffy hearts. I've never ridden either of them, but they are perfect gentlemen when getting turned out (not like the Fjords who can be quite pushy if they spot a bit of grass).

Pumpkin looks healthy and snug in his new winter coat.

[LMS]

He's a Thuringen, which is a German draught horse.
I've never herd of that breed. Cool. I thought he was a Belgian X.
Well there ya go: I learned something knew today.:)

[GeeJay]

He's so lovely and I'm really pleased that things are going so well for you and Pumpkin. It's also nice to see another horse with, ahem, sturdy legs thought my boy was the only one that had them!

[Luxie]

He really is a credit to you! Especially in the first of the 'new' pics, his expression just oozes contentment and confidence. Well done you!

[Sarah-B]

He's gorgeous!! I love chunky horses!!

How big is he? What breed? Questions, questions!!

[momofsix]

He looks so fuzzy! My girls are also putting on a winter coat but not like that--I wish I could pet him.
You have to try riding him bareback some time. I have just started riding mine bareback (To be honest, I forgot my girth one day and had no choice). I now canter both of them bareback, even Abby, and it is such fun and much less scary than I imagined.

[pengapenga]

Pumpkin is looking gorgeous:) He looks very content in the last two pics, he obviously enjoys his new life:)

[Mary Poppins]

He looks much better and reminds me of a cute teddy bear!

[NoviceNic]

I would say he looks well and would agree he needs a little muscle on his bottom. You have done a good job considering the length of time you have had him. I was under the impression it can take quite a while to get the weight back on the heavier types.

[Little Dolphins]

...to be building such a great relationship with your horse!:)