Question about weight, fitness level, etc.

harp918 · 10-07-2008, 12:38 PM

I have a gelding that I just put up for sale. How's his weight look to you?

Someone suggested in another thread to get him in shape. How do you do that? I trail ride him every day and he seems pretty muscly to me. Or should I just increase his feed. He's turned out on grass 24/7 and gets a coffee can (comes out to 1.5 lbs) of soybean-based ration balancer. He's never in a hurry to finish his feed and he's always happy and frolicking about.

Reitpferde · 10-07-2008, 12:40 PM

I think he looks good. If you were to sell him as a hunter/jumper, or dressage prospect - yes, you should get him in shape for THAT discipline. But my guess is, you are selling him as a pleasure horse. Very cute.

Teaque · 10-07-2008, 12:47 PM

Looks good (: if you want more muscle do lots of trotting and circles.

harp918 · 10-07-2008, 12:49 PM

Yea, the object is to be able to afford a jumper...Hence, some of the horses need to go to good homes first. I want to make them as marketable as I can.

Thank you for the input.

harp918 · 10-07-2008, 12:52 PM

Circles we do. LOL And hills.

He just doesn't ever seem to tire out. I wouldn't say he was high strung 'cause he's much happier at a slow walk but when he's not saddled and out with the other horses he's like forest gump....running everywhere tossing his head like he's having a ball. LOL I don't know how he's not skinnier looking truth be told.

Teaque · 10-07-2008, 12:53 PM

Trails in my opinion are the best way to shape a horse up and have fun doing it! My horse loves the trails I hate riding in the arena and so does he. He gets all grumpy. But if you do all that then I think hes good (: what are you looking to sell him as? what kind of prospect?

harp918 · 10-07-2008, 01:16 PM

We're looking to sell him as a beginner friendly trail horse. (He has had 60 days of heeling training, too) and trots the barrel pattern, but my husband says he's getting too old to rodeo anymore and he doesn't have any interest in going that route. Spent all summer trail riding him and riding him basically EVERYWHERE. Nieces, nephews, etc. all ride him...

I wish I knew how to train him to jump. I think I can. I just 1) don't want to ruin him and 2) don't want to ruin him. LOL

Dawn · 10-07-2008, 01:27 PM

Are those the photos you're using in the ads?

The 1st doesn't seem to be very flattering to him. Particularly in regards to limb conformation. The 2nd causes him to look as if he has absolutely no topline muscling. Both photos also look like his ribs are very visible. But, I don't think that's the case but perhaps a trick with the lighting.

Cute horse and good luck selling!

harp918 · 10-07-2008, 01:47 PM

Yeah, his ribs don't show in person. But, I certainly wouldn't classify him as a super good specimen either. LOL He's just a good all around horse and hopefully he'll bring someone as much love and fun and he did me and our family.

I have a couple problems that I hope will eventually get worked out. First, I can't take a picture worth a ****. I noticed that with all my horses and the pics I take. EVERYONE ooohs and ahhhs over him when they come here and yet, in his pictures he looks mediocre AT BEST and second, the more I learn about horses the more I want to buy what I perceive to be bigger and better (i.e. conformation, ability, pedigree, etc.). I'll be a collector before long. More poor husband. LOL

I appreciate your input...as always thanks for the replies!

Aricia · 10-07-2008, 09:41 PM

I think he needs more muscling, thats all. However, you can ride him every day but if you are not riding him CORRECTLY, you will build up muscle in the wrong areas, which is what I think I see here.
He is VERY muscled under the neck with very little topline. That tells me he is ridden inverted, not ridden through his back and rear end... and I bet he carries his head high and is hard through the bridle.

Sweet eye though....

He looks fun.

10-07-2008, 12:38 PM	#1
harp918 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deep South Posts: 95 Images: 1	Question about weight, fitness level, etc. I have a gelding that I just put up for sale. How's his weight look to you? Someone suggested in another thread to get him in shape. How do you do that? I trail ride him every day and he seems pretty muscly to me. Or should I just increase his feed. He's turned out on grass 24/7 and gets a coffee can (comes out to 1.5 lbs) of soybean-based ration balancer. He's never in a hurry to finish his feed and he's always happy and frolicking about.

10-07-2008, 12:40 PM	#2
Reitpferde Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central New Jersey Posts: 837 Images: 16	I think he looks good. If you were to sell him as a hunter/jumper, or dressage prospect - yes, you should get him in shape for THAT discipline. But my guess is, you are selling him as a pleasure horse. Very cute. __________________ "Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy. Its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery! Winston Churchill

10-07-2008, 01:16 PM	#7
harp918 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deep South Posts: 95 Images: 1	We're looking to sell him as a beginner friendly trail horse. (He has had 60 days of heeling training, too) and trots the barrel pattern, but my husband says he's getting too old to rodeo anymore and he doesn't have any interest in going that route. Spent all summer trail riding him and riding him basically EVERYWHERE. Nieces, nephews, etc. all ride him... I wish I knew how to train him to jump. I think I can. I just 1) don't want to ruin him and 2) don't want to ruin him. LOL Last edited by harp918; 10-08-2008 at 01:04 AM. Reason: oops, typo.

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10-07-2008, 12:47 PM	#3
Teaque Full Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 268	Looks good (: if you want more muscle do lots of trotting and circles.

10-07-2008, 12:49 PM	#4
harp918 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deep South Posts: 95 Images: 1	Yea, the object is to be able to afford a jumper...Hence, some of the horses need to go to good homes first. I want to make them as marketable as I can. Thank you for the input.

10-07-2008, 12:52 PM	#5
harp918 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deep South Posts: 95 Images: 1	Circles we do. LOL And hills. He just doesn't ever seem to tire out. I wouldn't say he was high strung 'cause he's much happier at a slow walk but when he's not saddled and out with the other horses he's like forest gump....running everywhere tossing his head like he's having a ball. LOL I don't know how he's not skinnier looking truth be told.

10-07-2008, 12:53 PM	#6
Teaque Full Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 268	Trails in my opinion are the best way to shape a horse up and have fun doing it! My horse loves the trails I hate riding in the arena and so does he. He gets all grumpy. But if you do all that then I think hes good (: what are you looking to sell him as? what kind of prospect?

10-07-2008, 01:27 PM	#8
Dawn Senior Member+ Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 31,292 Images: 1386	Are those the photos you're using in the ads? The 1st doesn't seem to be very flattering to him. Particularly in regards to limb conformation. The 2nd causes him to look as if he has absolutely no topline muscling. Both photos also look like his ribs are very visible. But, I don't think that's the case but perhaps a trick with the lighting. Cute horse and good luck selling!

10-07-2008, 01:47 PM	#9
harp918 Full Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Deep South Posts: 95 Images: 1	Yeah, his ribs don't show in person. But, I certainly wouldn't classify him as a super good specimen either. LOL He's just a good all around horse and hopefully he'll bring someone as much love and fun and he did me and our family. I have a couple problems that I hope will eventually get worked out. First, I can't take a picture worth a ****. I noticed that with all my horses and the pics I take. EVERYONE ooohs and ahhhs over him when they come here and yet, in his pictures he looks mediocre AT BEST and second, the more I learn about horses the more I want to buy what I perceive to be bigger and better (i.e. conformation, ability, pedigree, etc.). I'll be a collector before long. More poor husband. LOL I appreciate your input...as always thanks for the replies!

10-07-2008, 09:41 PM	#10
Aricia Full Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 162 Images: 45	I think he needs more muscling, thats all. However, you can ride him every day but if you are not riding him CORRECTLY, you will build up muscle in the wrong areas, which is what I think I see here. He is VERY muscled under the neck with very little topline. That tells me he is ridden inverted, not ridden through his back and rear end... and I bet he carries his head high and is hard through the bridle. Sweet eye though.... He looks fun.