Re: "too fat for speed"

Tina Hicks (hickst@puzzler.nichols.com)
Wed, 20 Nov 1996 15:14:40 -0600

I'm finding this whole "fat" thing very interesting - I have one of each.
Embers tends to get lean (towards the "zipper" side) even tho I put the
feed to him. As much as I feel comfortable packing into his little frame!
Plus fantastic pasture, all the hay he can eat whenever he's in the stall
(not very often), etc...He just has a lean body type. Interestingly enough
tho, he doesn't lose that much at a ride (based on visual appearances
anyway) - he looks pretty much the same from ride to ride. When not in
consistent work we will pick up some weight but immediately goes back to
his "fit" size upon returning to work.

Tony, on the other hand, porks out in about 2 days if I'm not riding him.
He also noticeably loses weight during a trip (whether to a ride or an all
day outing for conditioning). He tucks up in the flank and loses enough
weight over his quarters that you can see it by the end of ride day. He
picks it back up quicly tho - some of that is nerves on his part too.

When I go to a ride, Embers is one of the thinner ones there - I've noticed
how "heavy" alot of the others look and esp. the 100 miler horses - more
like Tony when's he on his way to plumping out.

Wonder what the balancing point its? That is, the point where you've got
enough fat on them for reserves but not so much as to hamper performance?

This is all very interesting.....

Hafta say, on the lighter side, this sport has _really_ changed my
perception of what is a fat horse. Now when I see a dressage horse (like at
the Olympics) I don't see how they can even *move* much less perform with
all that "excess " weight :->

Tina and the constantly expanding and decreasing crew
hickst@nichols.com