A question for those in Lexington

[Sleepy]

Are TB sires really fat?

An online acquantance on another (non-horse) board insisted that most of them were and the photo she posted was of Tiznow. Now, he didn't look all that obese to me, but the picture was taken in the barn aisle from the front and I know photos can lie.

So that begs the question? Are most TB studs too fat and lacking in exercise?

Discuss.

[DLee]

Not the ones I've seen, at least no one comes to mind.

[jengersnap]

I can't answer for horses currently in the breeding shed in Lexington (never been there :( ) but I can speak from having a 9 year old stallion still racing that he is freakin' huge. His neck is like a bull, body full of testosterone enhanced muscle. We call him Porky. The vets call him our clydesdale. We're not sure if that's a term of affection, as he's a pita for any vet or vet tech, particularly one welding a needle. Sigh. Good thing he loves his job and loves lead shanks (equals walking/grazing/activity for him)

Just wrapping up from racing last year
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p262/jengersnaps/Barely%20Escaped/porkyprofile.jpg

Editing to add...no lack of exercise on our guy. He raced off the farm just pasture fit for a little of the winter and execised himself quite nicely.

[ravenclaw]

I visited several farms in Lexington last summer. I wouldn't say that the stallions were fat. Some of them were kinda soft and flabby, but others were lean and fit.

[LaurieB]

I see TB stallions all the time. Some can be a little chunky, but most are in great condition. What you don't want to see this time of year is horses looking skinny and run down after a hard breeding season. Last time I saw Tiznow was last November. He's a very large horse (right around 17 hands and big bodied) but I wouldn't call him fat.

As to the exercise, I think Three Chimneys is the only farm that exercises their stallions under saddle. But everywhere else, the horses are turned out in paddocks whenever they're not working.

[Sleepy]

Thank you LaurieB (& the rest of y'all), I thought from the photo Tiznow looked to be in good weight, but this woman insisted he was way too fat. Of course, being a hunter person, I do like 'em fatter than a horse on the track or what you see standing in a backyard.

I was pretty sure they spent a lot of time out in their paddocks.

ETA - Tiznow has always been a favorite of mine and looks a great deal like my girl, except for the markings, probably because their toplines are so very similar.

[LaurieB]

Sleepy, since you're a Tiznow fan (as am I :) ) here's a picture of our Tiznow filly who was born in early March: http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h245/LaurienB/Tiz-3-27-09-a.jpg

[MintHillFarm]

I see TB stallions all the time. Some can be a little chunky, but most are in great condition. What you don't want to see this time of year is horses looking skinny and run down after a hard breeding season. Last time I saw Tiznow was last November. He's a very large horse (right around 17 hands and big bodied) but I wouldn't call him fat.

As to the exercise, I think Three Chimneys is the only farm that exercises their stallions under saddle. But everywhere else, the horses are turned out in paddocks whenever they're not working.

I agree, the stallions I have seen look wonderful. In good weight and coat.
As far as I know too, I think Three Chimneys is the one farm that rides the stallions reguarly. They have a wood fiber track right around the fencing outside of the paddocks near the stallion barn.

[hitchinmygetalong]

A. P. Indy is MASSIVE. And he wears a grazing muzzle! :eek:

[Barnfairy]

While I was schmoozing with Tiznow (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2782734100099108256YIKKhR) during my visit to WinStar, barnmate Speightstown was out getting ridden (http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2025485790099108256TUzqgO).

Many of the stallions I visited were cresty and had filled out in comparison to their racing days, but none were fat.

[Bacchus]

To some people, some of the stallions around here might look plump, but they are really just healthy stallions. The grass here is great and the upper-end stallions are pretty well cared for. You usually won't see ribs, but most aren't going to founder from fatness any time soon;)

Now, on the other hand, two of my horses are fat and will start wearing muzzles and spending time in the dry lot this week!

[Sleepy]

Laurie, your filly is simply gorgeous. Are you keeping her to race or sending her to a sale?

Yeah, Bacchus, I have an old mare that would have to be dry-lotted or muzzled if we lived in KY. My pasture is not in good shape and she is still a porkus. (Thank you, Impressive. ;) ) OTOH, my 17.1 TB is apparently not that easy, though by no means hard. She just needs to a little extra.

Thanks to everyone who posted pics.

[LaurieB]

Thanks Sleepy. :) She'll most likely be offered at a sale next year and if she doesn't sell, we'll race her.

Barnfairy, your pictures are great! Wouldn't you love to be the person who exercises such cool horses? I've always thought that would be a great job to have. :yes: