Professionals and amateurs were rewarded for keeping their show horses at a healthy weight at this year’s Derby Meeting at Hickstead (23-36 June). Lynn Russell, leading cob producer was second for the Healthy Body Condition Award with Talos and she applauded the initiative.
Run by the Horse Trust, many shows are signing up to be ‘Weight-Aware’ and including the awards at their events. As well as recognising horses in the best condition, they also provide support and advice to achieving and maintaining the ideal weight for your horse.
Lynn, who previously received the award at Herts County Show in May, spoke about the scheme at Hickstead.
“The awards are a good idea and horses should carry less condition,” she said. “Some of the judges may need some adjustment on how they take this into account when judging.”
Lynn keeps her horses out 24/7 and harrows their fields regularly
“They seem to regulate their intake of forage and consequently their condition,” she added. “For feeding, I use straights, rather than mixes and cubes — they’re looking fabulous on it.”
From rags to riches
Dream on Harry. Credit: Spidge Photography
Dream on Harry, owned and exhibited by Siobhan Dalloway, won the award in the Maxi Cob class and was delighted by the recognition.
“Harry was a rescue case from Ireland, taking nine months to get fit for today,” she said. “We let him be a horse and have a natural lifestyle with regular exercise to keep him in today’s good condition.”
Bankers Draught (Todd), whose body condition score was 30 percent better than the top placed horses in the class, the Lightweight Cobs, also received an award. Exhibited by Hannah Horton, Todd goes hunting all winter which keeps him fit and in great condition, according to Hannah.
Master of the House. Credit: Spidge Photography
Master of the House, or Big Tom, won on a score of almost 20 percent better than the others in the Heavyweight Cob class. Ridden and owned by Kate Barber-Lomax, Kate’s mother carries out the day-to-day care of Big Tom’s four-days-a-week exercise regime.
“Tom is a bit of a character and likes to gallop up to horses on the horse-walker, then halt at the very last minute thus spooking them somewhat!” said Kate. “He’s now 16 and has had a successful showing career and it looks like he’ll continue to do so. He’s pretty good at regulating his own weight in that he isn’t greedy — in fact gets four small feeds a day whilst at grass.”
Although not so susceptible to being overweight, the Large Riding Horse Class was also assessed, giving the rosette to Legend in Manhattan exhibited by Victoria Hersford. Owned by James Woodington, Legend was placed second in the Class out of six.
Legend in Manhattan. Credit: Spidge Photography
A serious issue
The British Equine Veterinary Association considers equine obesity to be one of the highest-ranking health risks today. The Sussex Equine Hospital supported and carried out the assessments alongside the Showing Judges.
Bankers Draught. Credit: Spidge Photography
“The Horse Trust delights in sharing the success stories of professionals and amateurs alike in their quest to see more healthy-weight horses,” said a spokesman for the charity.
The team also caught up with showing producer Val Sheehan at Hickstead to speak about being presented with the award at Herts County (28 May) for six-year-old Heavyweight Hunter Red Rumour (pictured top). Val hadn’t heard of the awards before winning but agreed enthusiastically with the concept.
All his horses go out and get lots of exercise. Val acknowledged that “you can’t feed to build fitness”. With regards to showing, Val’s observations were that judges needed to be educated but it can be seen that things are slowly changing.
