Do we need to put on weight. (side view added)

[hdonna]

This is Marlie from behind. Horse i have on loan with view to buy at the end of the month.

Do you agree she needs more weight.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/hdonna/025-1.jpg

[CDR]

Really can't tell from that photo, sorry!

[Loony]

Do you have a side on photo? I'd say she does need more weight putting on her, but I wouldn't be able to see how much without a side on picture.

[sazzy925]

Her stomach seems alright from what I can see, what it looks like to me is that she's severely lacking muscle to bulk her up in her back end.

[Puss in boots]

Can you post a side picture, could just be lacking muscle behind as suggested

[hdonna]

She is 6yrs and only every done hacking.

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa18/hdonna/029-1-1.jpg

[My Crazy Clan]

Shes not thin but she will probably lose some weight in winter, she could benefit from a bit more weight if thats what you like but she doesn't look like a neglected case.

What breed is she?

[flipper]

Is she a Welsh Cob? If she is, then yes, she needs a bit more weight on her. Agree that she isn't thin, but her rump and back could be broader. Is she on short feed at the moment?

[Puss in boots]

She looks fine, better that than overweight, she looks like she could do with some muscling up and a small amount of condition, but not too much, sadly i think as there are so many fat horses about it can warp one's view if i am honest.
I would try doing plenty hill work and perhaps add some vegetable oil or similar to her feed, as jane aptly put as she is a long in the back it adds to the leaner look, but better as she is then fat

[Sasca]

I think she's ok but will need something to maintain it. She has room for a bit more but when she developes a topline, she'll round off and look better anyway. She'll need a bit to help her through winter so something to boost her up as she is aint gonna kill her.

[lilholley]

I think she's at the light end of fine if that makes sense? I wouldn't want her to lose much more, but as someone else said, so much healthier a bit slim than a bit fat.

[CityLights]

she looks more of a weak horse than a slim horse if you get me, she is quite long and tubular so is always going to look a little slim, she could maybe do with a little more weight but really you need to do lots of correct work with her

she needs some muscle on her back end lots of hill work will help with that and some work making sure her tummy is up

[hdonna]

Cheers guys. We are not doing any hill work due to lack of them. But have started the schooling which she has never done before. Think will introduce long reining this week also as this should help her top line. Any other ideas re muscle tone exercises will be greatly received.

She at present does not track up well. Do you think this is due to her being long in the back?

[My Crazy Clan]

I find trotting polls good.

Not quite sure what you mean by "not track up well"

[Loony]

Echo the others, he could put on a little weight but a lot of it is just lacking in muscle tone. Lots of hillwork, leg yielding (even if it's not perfect!), turns on the forehand, just gets her using muscle she doesn't use when just plodding along.

[CityLights]

being long should have no bearing on how good she is or isnt to tack up, if she is naughty to tack up its more likely her tack doesnt fit or she has had badly fitting tack in the past

[IcarusGirl]

I'd like a bit more weight on her, but mostly muscle needs building. :)

[Loony]

being long should have no bearing on how good she is or isnt to tack up, if she is naughty to tack up its more likely her tack doesnt fit or she has had badly fitting tack in the past

S&W she said TRACK up! :lol:

[hdonna]

Just for the record Marlie is great to tack up!!! It was track up.

Son rode her today and I set out some walk polls and this done the job she was great.

[Loony]

Lots of pole work and getting her to use her back end (leg yielding, turns on the forehand, haunches in etc) should encourage her to track up more :)

[hdonna]

Cheers emmalou. The poll work defo worked today

[My Crazy Clan]

Just for the record Marlie is great to tack up!!! It was track up.

Son rode her today and I set out some walk polls and this done the job she was great.

:lol: sorry I haven't got a clue what track up means, please could you explain?:worship:

[Loony]

Rhea tracking up is when the horse's hind feet basically land in the same spot their front feet were just in. So they're working from behind and pushing their hind legs underneath them.