I'd be less surprised if someone from Arizona, California or Florida, etc. thought this baby was of good condition because they're not used to seeing horses with full-grown winter coats.
But for other Wisconsinites to be so blatantly ignorant of this baby's skeletal frame.. come on.
You can see her hips sticking out from under that fluffy coat.. not a sign of healthy weight.
Stop playing dumb and admit that you couldn't afford to feed her, weren't willing to invest in her nutrition/health or aren't educated enough to understand the care that your horse requires to be healthy.
We're not fooled Gina Pilgrim, this filly is in need of more than just pasture pals. How about throwing her some extra hay or *gasp* getting her on a grain-regimen.
How about calling the vet to check her teeth or do a fecal count?
But even more disgraceful than the weight of this youngster is the list of blatant excuses people commented on the ad when I *suggested she needs to put on weight.
Erin Braun thinks she's just going through a “growth spurt”. Also, that it's up to the community to chip in and feed this filly if anyone dare voice their opinion about her condition. News flash, the owner ought to be held legally responsible to provide adequate care for the animals they own – including providing enough food to maintain a respectable body score regardless of the season.
According to Miranda Dreifuerst you can't tell body condition unless the horse is standing on even ground, and the image is too dark to see her neck. I imagine she's confusing body score with conformation. Attention Wisconsin equestrians: body score ≠ conformation. Oh, and ≠ means ‘does not equal', but “trying to educate people doesn't work”.
Jaime Osborne-Reeck wants to know if I think her foal is also underweight by posting images.. trying to compare a foal which is obviously in good body score as if it somehow proves I'm wrong. Apples and oranges people, apples and oranges. I should also be kicked off the site too, because, you know it's just terrible that someone should be concerned about the health of a horse posted on an equestrian group.
The horrors.
Seriously. Let's at least try to pretend that we give two-shits about horses on a semi-public group. I know it's difficult, so difficult.
Kyleen Joan Oswskey wants everyone to know that she's “8 MONTHS OLD..?!” because that excuses the body condition. And, I'm a troll, of course.
Judging Body Score
In case you're wondering where to look because of all that winter hair..
Maybe it's time you close that Facebook Group and spend some time learning to judge body score. Check out the Henneke body score scale, and don't forget that most feed companies offer information about body scoring.
Update – 04/04/2015
Gina Pilgrim doesn't like my nose ring, I'm going to go cry myself to sleep now while sucking my thumb.
Updated Update – 04/04/2015
But then Gina Pilgrim managed to redeem herself by saying I'm in my early 20's.. I love you I love you I love you. Maybe it's Maybelline?
Then she continued and I have to say I'm even more disappointed. Going to be a long drive for you Gina Pilgrim. But hey, if she's got gas money and time to spare it's a beautiful drive from Wisconsin to Washington.
While Gina Pilgrim was investing her time Googling me; Erin Braun complained that I'm preventing her from purchasing the filly. Apparently I have magic powers I was unaware of – score!
*My suggestions have become less suggestive and more in your face. I've grown tired of pretending like it's okay to be stupid about the basic needs of a horse in your care. If you're responsible enough to buy and own one, you need to be responsible enough to become educated about their care.
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I am so glad you are willing to say the “hard” things and educate people. I am often appalled at the shape of young horses. How thin they often are. Thanks for putting it out there to help people recognize the problem and issues! 🙂
Thanks for saying it as it is!!!!!
Erica, thanks for also having the ‘balls’ to say it like it is. I also subscribe to a dog page, and I am SO sick of the ‘my dog is sick, but I can’t afford to pay a vet. What can I do?’. I finally hit a last straw, and posted that if you can’t afford basic vet care, you shouldn’t have the animal. Oh boy, did I take a hit for that! Call a spade a spade, and stand up for personal responsibility. Owning any animal ISN’T a right, it’s a PRIVILEGE!! If you can’t afford them, you shouldn’t have them.
Oh, just like healthcare! “Just wait until it is free!”. Sorry, just ignore me if you want. Just me being silly.
Ivy, it would be great if you WERE silly. You’re not. Unfortunately, our society is one of the grasshopper and the ant, only the any, who works hard, has to give all his gains to the lazy grasshopper, because it is his ‘right’. Don’t get me started….people treat owning animals the same way.
I’d that horse an idea weight? No. Is it starving, abused, neglected? No. There after a million and one reasons that foal could be at a 4-4.5 instead of a 5
Hips protruding and visible through a winter coat do not equate to a 4-4.5 body score.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henneke_horse_body_condition_scoring_system
No visible protrusion of the tail head, very slight hip protrusion, no visible ribs (under a 4 and yes you will start seeing them even under a winter coat) fat layer along the spine. She needs to put on weight but the owner is by no means deserving of an entire blog condemning her.
Hey Erica I agree with u completely that this filly is way to skinny but excuse me when I say dnt blame all “wisconsinites”. I have a couple of horses and dogs and cats and I love my animals and they r very healthy and I live in Wisconsin. I love it here and I know a lot of wisconsinites with very healthy horse! I feel terrible for this baby and it makes me disguised but u can’t blame the whole state!
They’re not your animals, not YOUR responsibility. If you care so much, offer the owners a price. Until then, your logic is messed up.
I’m not currently a horse owner, but I know those horses aren’t neglected just because you can see the hips. Trust me, they can afford those horses.
You seriously need to up your medication.
I wanted to comment here because you never know what is going on with the horse. My mare got very thin when she was nursing a foal. We did not breed her again because of her weight loss. We DUMPED food into her, had the vet do a full work up, experimented with different feed, hay, and supplements. She still lost weight. As soon as we weaned the foal, she fattened right back up. But until then I was afraid someone would call ASPCA on me! I have a filly who is a very difficult keeper. I owned her father and he was the same way. Again, fecal and blood work done, rotating wormers, tons of time, money and hours standing at the fence staring at her, we have found a precarious balance of four different feeds to keep her ribs covered. I’m not making excuses for this girl and the fact that she doesn’t see the problem is a problem in itself, but in other cases it may not be what it seems. (My other 6 horses are all in great weight/shape; just these two have weight issues.) Just like some people are just thin as rails and other people get fat on asparagus and a crouton. As for the girl who wanted to buy her… If you want her, BUY HER. Don’t let her weight dissuade you. Don’t let anyone but your vet make your decision for you.