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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
 
| Recently I was at a barrel race and a lady I have known my entire life comes up to me and is chit chatting and she is about 25 years older than me and I am getting ready for my run and she asks me about my colt who is literally build like a brick house. ( IF he didnt try to literally kill my husband every time her rode him he would be a calf horse) Anyways out of the blue she is like well its too bad your colt has to be so fat it would explain his crappy runs. And walks away my husband about jumped down her throat because he pays very close attention to our horses and this horse is in no way fat. Her horse are always ribby and too thin for my liking. But he basically thinks she was trying to get in my head because my colt has been outrunning her horses.
So how does everyone like their horses to look when they are in running shape? I know everyone likes things alittle different but what is the general thoughts? |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| I would say she was trying to distract you. I try it to talk to anyone while in the holding pen or while warming up. Just my preference. I just find it mentally distracting. If your happy with the way your horses look that's all that matters |
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Expert
Posts: 1226
| Sorry my typing is bad. Try NOT to talk to anyone |
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 Expert
Posts: 2457
| Healthy. period. end of story :)
a little more in depth is a full top line (of muscle), a nice shiny coat, and good solid feet.
From there ... it depends on the build of the horse.
Just ignore the gal who told you your colt was too fat. Keep kickin' her keester and who cares what she thinks anyway! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
| I can feel their ribs when I run my hand down their sides but I can not see them. That doesn't come from feeding less it happens from riding more. I pay attention to their tail head, top line, and the crest of their neck to determine if I need to up groceries or reduce. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1482
Location: on my horse | Muscley, fit, packing enough weight and fat to be healthy (I want to be able to feel their ribs not easily see them) |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. |
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Expert
Posts: 1857
| Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM
A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do.
I can't imagine anyone having the balls enough to say something like that! Never in my life would I have the courage to say that. |
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 BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | Sounds like junior high to me. Ignore her. |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
Location: North Dakota | Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. Off topic slightly, but I had a woman once tell me, after I had to retire my horse due to lameness (ringbone), the reason he went lame was because I was so fat.
ETA: To the OP I think if you feel your horse is in good physical condition than what does her opinion really matter? I'd rather see a horse carry a little extra weight than be too thin and look ribby. I'd be happy that I have a "good eater" on my hands because a lot of horses have a hard time keeping weight on during competition season.
Edited by WYOTurn-n-Burn 2014-05-14 11:45 AM
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | If you react to people like that, they win. If you ignore them, they lose.
It's really that simple. People like that thrive on their ability to get into your head. Don't give her the satisfaction of letting her think she accomplished that. If you just take the high road and act nice, it will bug the hell out of her.
You win...she loses. |
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BHW Resident Surgeon
Posts: 25352
Location: Bastrop, Texas | WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-05-14 11:41 AM Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. Off topic slightly, but I had a woman once tell me, after I had to retire my horse due to lameness (ringbone), the reason he went lame was because I was so fat.
ETA: To the OP I think if you feel your horse is in good physical condition than what does her opinion really matter? I'd rather see a horse carry a little extra weight than be too thin and look ribby. I'd be happy that I have a "good eater" on my hands because a lot of horses have a hard time keeping weight on during competition season.
You should have said, "Why don't you do the world a favor? Pull your lower lip over your head and swallow!" |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-05-14 11:41 AM Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. Off topic slightly, but I had a woman once tell me, after I had to retire my horse due to lameness (ringbone), the reason he went lame was because I was so fat.
ETA: To the OP I think if you feel your horse is in good physical condition than what does her opinion really matter? I'd rather see a horse carry a little extra weight than be too thin and look ribby. I'd be happy that I have a "good eater" on my hands because a lot of horses have a hard time keeping weight on during competition season.
I'd have looked at her and said, "You must have a short life span due to your stupidity."
The nerve some people have is unreal. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 359
Location: BETWEEN HOT FLASHES AND GERITOL | People always said that stuff to me and then I would win the Barrel Race. I had a true 1d and Rodeo winner ( I was really Blessed). I would just tell them that he sure out runs a lot of skinny horses. They quit saying it then!! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 399
| WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-05-14 11:41 AM
Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. Off topic slightly, but I had a woman once tell me, after I had to retire my horse due to lameness (ringbone), the reason he went lame was because I was so fat.
ETA: To the OP I think if you feel your horse is in good physical condition than what does her opinion really matter? I'd rather see a horse carry a little extra weight than be too thin and look ribby. I'd be happy that I have a "good eater" on my hands because a lot of horses have a hard time keeping weight on during competition season.
I totally agree with this I always feel that it is easier to work off the weight that be trying to put it back on. |
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  More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | HotbearLVR - 2014-05-14 11:46 AM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2014-05-14 11:41 AM Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do. Off topic slightly, but I had a woman once tell me, after I had to retire my horse due to lameness (ringbone), the reason he went lame was because I was so fat.
ETA: To the OP I think if you feel your horse is in good physical condition than what does her opinion really matter? I'd rather see a horse carry a little extra weight than be too thin and look ribby. I'd be happy that I have a "good eater" on my hands because a lot of horses have a hard time keeping weight on during competition season.
Grumpy Old Men.....I loved that show.
My mare looked awesome for the BRF. Now we've gotten quite a bit of well needed rain but the grass is very sugary and its making her a little heavier than I like. I could keep it off of her better but I'm busy getting ready for the kiddo to graduate. I have a lifetime to run barrels and make my horses in better shape but for now I'll concentrate on the kid.
I personally like my horses to look healthy and happy.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 359
Location: BETWEEN HOT FLASHES AND GERITOL | My horse always did better a little heavier, when we started going a lot he would drop some weight. But he just did better when he was a little chubby. He was such an easy keeper I swear if he looked at grass his but got bigger. Come to think of it we were a lot alike. LOL |
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 Undercover Amish Mafia Member
Posts: 9992
Location: Kansas | Griz - 2014-05-14 11:10 AM A little off topic, but I can't IMAGINE talking to someone like that - ALTHOUGH there are catty B*tches around here that do.
Yes there are!!! |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | I like the 'fit' look. Ribs maybe visible when moving, but not when at a stand still.
As far as the comment, may have been playing the head game. Unforunate its someone you've known for a while too. Last race I was in the drag with a friend who needs extra encouragment and positive comments made. Love her, but it took away from 'my time' and my pre run meditation. It can be tough sometimes, but its best to go put yourself in a corner alone before your runs. Especially on young ones. |
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 The Peaceful One
Posts: 1415
Location: Only a stones throw away!! | Next time tell her FAT is the new look.... must be cause look at your freaking head!!!  |
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 Born not Made
Posts: 2937
Location: North Dakota | Maybe not the same thing, but I just had someone on here tell me my horse is "really fat".
I corrected them. He is not fat, he is just a brick house!!
Not going to lose any sleep over it, and neither should you!!
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | My horse is very fit right now, but he's fat from spring grass even tho I have cut out grain completely and keep him up with hay-only during the day. It is what it is. He'll trim down this summer. Meanwhile, yes, people make fun of him, but at least they're not going OMG, I wish that girl would FEED her horse!  |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| Mine are fat and happy.
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 If you knew me you would want to be me
Posts: 13645
Location: Utah | That would be a good time to start laughing.
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Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | There is a huge difference between FAT and fit fat. IMHO fit fat is going to have the muscle, power, drive, speed, energy to get to the pay window day in and day out.
Take a good look at the quarter horses winning at the track. They may be sucked up underneath, but the rest of the body is going to be carrying massive muscle that will not get there on a restrictive diet. |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | A few years back I was hauling a younger gelding who had a HUGE barrel. Everyone used to tell me that he'd clock a ton better if I would knock 200 lbs of belly off of him. I can promise you that he was the most fit thing in my barn. He just always looked huge. I saw a picture of him not too long ago and let me tell you, nothing has changed. He was super fit in the pic, looked amazing and he's about as broad as one can get! He does have a more stiff turning style, as his build does not lend itself to his having a ton of bend, but that's a matter of build and natural style. He can still outrun just about anyone that pays an entry fee though! |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | I'd rather them have a little more lovin' in their bellies than not. As long as their coat is shiny and glossy and their eyes are bright!! I have an AQHA that is built more like a TB, some days I look at him and think he's a whale, other days I wonder where all that hay I throw at him goes! I really wish he would get beefier. Then I have an appy that is really built like a brick house and I've had several people tell me he's too big or eats too much. it's not hindering him at all and he can run all day long so I'll keep him that way!! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | You should have just patted her on the hand and said, "you're just not used to seeing healthy" and smiled and walked away. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Timber Creek - 2014-05-15 10:34 AM You should have just patted her on the hand and said, "you're just not used to seeing healthy" and smiled and walked away.
You're so sweet. I think I would have kicked her in the pie hole.   |
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Expert
Posts: 1273
Location: South Dakota | CYA Ranch - 2014-05-15 11:20 AM Timber Creek - 2014-05-15 10:34 AM You should have just patted her on the hand and said, "you're just not used to seeing healthy" and smiled and walked away. You're so sweet. I think I would have kicked her in the pie hole.
Oh that is sure another way to go too, ha ha!  |
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The Resident Destroyer of Liberal Logic
Location: PNW | Would you like a few turkeys to slim him down? They really do an excellent job at taking the weight off of one :) |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 602
| That gal is trying to get to ya. Plus horses will carry weight differently based on size and breeding. I have a gelding off the track and he is super lean but not skinny. My other mare was short and compact, she was heavier set but in shape for her frame. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Loma Linda, CA | 'Fat' horses are happy horses.
My gelding is 'fat'. No ribbyness to him! He is starting to pack on some muscle now that he is getting ridden consistently, but he is just built solid as well.
I'll take it though! It's much better than a purposely ribby horse (genetics can make them leaner too! so I say purposely for those that keep horses that way that aren't built that way)
I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I'd be more worried if someone came up and said my horse was limping or running off. Now that would get in my head and I'd pull out of the race! Lol.
Edited by Phxbarrel 2014-05-15 1:05 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| Sounds like jealousy to me. I would've just said well MAY. BE. And give her a wink with a smile on your face. I know that's kinda spiteful...lol. But anyways, just pray for her cause it sounds like she needs it! |
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 Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | AHHHHHHH. FAT is such a beautiful color!!! I had a horse I was running and riding up and down the mountain about 15 miles daily. He had free choice grass hay. I was getting comments I needed to ride him more, get him in shape. The grain he was getting was 8 ounce of grain and 8 ounces of fat once a day. I had chiro work done on him. The first thing the vet said was he was way to fat. While working on him he noticed he was all hard muscle!! When he was done he told me to walk him straight for a week , then put him back to work. |
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More bootie than waist!
Posts: 18425
Location: Riding Crackhead. | Timber Creek - 2014-05-15 11:36 AM CYA Ranch - 2014-05-15 11:20 AM Timber Creek - 2014-05-15 10:34 AM You should have just patted her on the hand and said, "you're just not used to seeing healthy" and smiled and walked away. You're so sweet. I think I would have kicked her in the pie hole.
I just talk big. |
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 Certified Snake Wrangler
Posts: 1672
Location: North MS | I get asked about one all the time- they all ask when she is due. Look amazed when I say she is not expecting. I will put a pic below of her I took almost exactly this time last year (and she still looks about the same). She gets 1 scoop of a special mix by ADM each day and pasture (free hay buffet at the trailer each weekend). Now my appendix always looks a little lean. You can see the outline of ribs (and if he is freaking out over the fake deer in the yard-target- you can see his ribs a lot, but everything was tense for that pic). But I always say if my big girl lost weight she wouldn't hit the sweet spot in the 4D. She is the luckiest horse I have. Completely doesn't have barrel horse conformation though.
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 To the Left
Posts: 1865
Location: Florida | My late rodeo horse ran best with some meat on his bones. I regularly heard from that type of people that if I rode him more during the week and got the fat off him I would do better. How can you do better than winning? Just ignore and avoid her.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 364
Location: Texas | My horse is "fit fat" he is all muscle but he looks a little fat. He can NOT be fat the way I ride. He is a VERY narrow horse so anything makes him look fat. His coat is as shiny and soft as you'll ever see, he has a playful glow in his eyes and really good feet. I like for mine to be REALLY fit but not so " fit" that you can see their ribs. I had a mare that was short ( maybe 14 hands) and built like a brick house. She was in great shape and still looked like she was fixing to foal.
Don' worry about the rude lady shes just trying to get into your head. If YOU are happy with how YOUR horse looks then thats all that matters. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | Sorry the only picture I have of my old mare when she wasn't running is this one with a saddle on. She ran a 17.1 on a standard set that weekend.
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I could care less what someone has to say about any of my horses, they are mine and I like them on the plump side and if they dont like then they can go bug someone else about how to take care of their horses. Heres what I think about nosey people
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 Queen Bee Cat Owner
Posts: 3629
Location: Way up North | Everyone has an opion but I personally prefer them fit with fat. They have muscle definition but not bone definition and they have enough fat on them if they get sick and they go downhill it's generally not as bad.
I also follow the 3 F rule pretty closley so while I know people talk about me, if they don't fall into one of those categories or the exception of me paying for their opinion I really don't care what they think of me or my tea pot ponies. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 830
Location: Paradise , tx | heidiinaz - 2014-05-14 10:52 AM I would say she was trying to distract you. I try it to talk to anyone while in the holding pen or while warming up. Just my preference. I just find it mentally distracting. If your happy with the way your horses look that's all that matters
I totally agree with this. I learned many years ago that some will say all kinds of things to try to phsyc you out You will learn to let it roll of your back ( take time) |
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