Ever have a horse that you just couldn't get into condition?

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I"ve been following your posts and all your concerns about the condition and weight of your horse. I remember some people that knew him were thrilled because he is already known as a very good horse. I"ve gone back to study his pictures and my humble two cents are that he looks just fine the way he is. I think he is mature and reached what is known as his "mature weight" and you can remove some of his feed and work him harder and make him live in sweats till the cow come home and I don't think its going to make him look better than he does now; he's just not going to look like a young fine boned araby colt. This is a beautiful mature horse in his own right who is not fine boned and is already on a good solid working program. I feel that what you see now is what you are going to have. I think he needs every bit of the nutrition you are giving him to be able to go on and keep up with the exercise program you designed for him. I think you are doing very well with him and you have it together and he looks more tucked up now than he did in the spring. I would leave him the way he is and not change a thing. Best wishes to you both this season!
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I think maybe I over worry about him. I want him in the best condition HE can be in. I got worried because a few weeks ago I asked for some input and a few people said he needed to lose some weight.
 
I think you just need to enjoy him. He is a seasoned horse and you can do very well with him but sometimes it takes a while till you guys get in a groove. We have a little all around gelding and honestly it took a couple years until him and raven were consistently placing in the top of their classes. He was very well trained it ws a matter of us learning his cues, him getting over the fact he knew more then us and not wanting to take advantage of that fact and just the team work part to come into place.

Now they are quite the team and he is doing obstacle classes with no halter or lead and winning. He will sidepass, back an L- do a bridge, ground tie, trot poles - pivot all of that without anything- he will jump 27-28 inch fences and he is only 29.50 himself. He always gives her 110 percent now but it took time for them to get that relationship going.

I think you will be fine with Domingo- I know sometimes there is a lot of pressure you can put on yourself when you buy a successful show horse to continue to do well. I am going thru that with my driving mare but I really have to just make myself relax and enjoy the moment so to speak
 
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I so agree with Lisa. Just relax and have fun with him!!! Feed him well, practice and enjoy!

I have always said the hardest part of show horses is having them not to thin and not too fat. Its a very fine line. I have a couple that always drop 3-4 lbs at a show so I have to keep them a tad heavy so they dont suck up
 
Yep, i have one that has been a struggle to keep in condition all year...its hard as you really just cannot cut the grain / beet pulp diet out that much as you loose the topline even if the horse is an easy keeper (atleast that is my biggest struggle with this horse). Back and forth all year...luckly, he is put together great but just not totally in shape.

Your gelding looks great, i think you are just thinking to much into it
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I talked to my feed store and they are going to order Purina Equine adult in for me. Its 12% protein, 3% fat, and 25% fiber.

It's a complete feed that can be fed along with hay. Other than that and adding driving (im super excited, I miss riding quite a bit since I sold my last riding horse in February, and hopefully this will cure the "bug") Im just going to feed him the lower fat lower protein feed and see where it gets him. Wherever it is, I'll be alright with it, and love the little guy the same.
 
Good for you. I think the lower fat feed will help, driving will help, and simply relaxing about it will help even more! *LOL* He really does look quite fine and far better than my poor nine year old currently does.
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You've got a nicely built, nicely muscled driving horse there and I don't see any need for him to lose weight. He'll tone up even more with the driving and any extra fat will convert into muscle at that point so for now just keep doing what you're doing and try not to be quite so sensitive to what other people say.

By the way, I also agree with Lisa's excellent advice about taking things at your own pace and building a relationship without concerning yourself over immediate results. It seems to me that it always takes about two years to really form a solid partnership with an animal and begin to see dividends for your hard work.

Leia

P.S.- I saw Ken Porter of Estate Horse Supply at the show today and we chatted about your harness. I'll ask him tomorrow when it's due! The saddle and crupper on the basic harness I looked at are definitely nice and comfy, and you can always buy the nicer deluxe or premier checks and breastcollars later to class it up for more advanced showing. I think you'll be happy.
 
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I couldn't say it any better than Marty did! The horse looks fit and trim in the photo; relax and enjoy him...
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Margo
 

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