Show horses’ waistlines are often a bone of contention but what is “show ring condition” and how can we best achieve it whilst maintaining the health and fitness of the horse.

What is Condition?
Horses carry different proportions of muscle and body fat according to their type and level of fitness or training. It is our aim, as horse owners, to ensure that these proportions are appropriate to the work we are expecting of the horse and adjust his diet and work load accordingly. Body condition scoring, using a numerical scale where 0 is “poor” and 5 is “obese”, can be a useful way of objectively assessing condition by looking at the horse’s neck, ribs and rump. Ideally you should be able to feel but not see the ribs and the horse should carry “top line” in the form of muscle not pads of fat, so correct work is imperative to encourage muscle development in the right places.

Whatever method of condition assessment you use, it should be both visual and “hands-on” – you need to feel through a thick coat in the winter, which can cover the true picture, and take a good step back from time to time to look at the whole horse. It is also useful to monitor your horse or pony’s bodyweight by using a weightape or, better still, a weighbridge. This will not only help you in your calculation of how much to feed but is particularly useful in assessing progress, especially when you are hoping to make considerable changes to your horse’s condition.

The Right Condition

Having established your horse’s current condition, the next step is to decide whether that is how you would like him to stay or whether you need to make changes in order to help change his condition. For this you will also need to consider the work the horse is expected to undertake and the level of fitness he needs to attain. A show horse, for example, needs stamina and muscle tone for physical effort but may carry more “condition” than a three day eventer who has to gallop and jump.

Show producers are continuously accused of presenting horses and ponies which are carrying too much body fat, in an attempt to ensure they have a “well rounded” appearance. It can be difficult balancing fitness and muscle tone with levels of body fat but it must be done; an overweight horse risks damage to joints and laminitis, as well as other health issues, and will often simply not exhibit the enthusiasm for work that a slimmer horse can. Those who seem to live on fresh air can be a nightmare to keep weight off but it is possible to maintain a balanced diet and control calorie intake, whilst those who struggle to keep the weight on must be fed with consideration to the limitations of the equine digestive system.

Putting it On
A common approach to promoting weight gain, is to feed more of the existing feed, or to add straights, such as barley or maize, and gradually the costs mount up but the condition we’re looking for may not. Not only is it unbalancing the ration by adding straight cereals to an already balanced compound feed, but we are also likely to be feeding ever increasing volumes which the horse’s stomach, with its limited capacity, simply cannot take.

What we risk when feeding large volumes in each feed is that some will pass on out of the stomach and small intestine before it has been fully digested. This presents a couple of problems – firstly the risk of digestive or metabolic upsets, such as colic or even laminitis, as a result of undigested starch reaching parts of the hind gut that it shouldn’t. Secondly, the feed will not be fully utilised so some of its nutrients will be lost, resulting in a simple waste of money! It’s therefore much more efficient, more cost effective, and safer, to feed for the job in hand by selecting a compound feed formulated for weight gain and condition.

Feeding frequent smaller amounts of a high calorie concentrated feed allows for less starch to be fed in order to promote the desired weight gain. Most reputable feed manufacturers also use cooking techniques, like micronising, which significantly increase the digestibility of the starch granules, ensuring that they are broken down in the foregut, where they should be, rather than reaching the hindgut.

Oil is another useful concentrated source of calories which is non-heating and helps to increase the energy density of the ration without significantly increasing volume. Specially developed high oil supplements are now available, which are more palatable and less messy than straight oil, and contain the necessary additional antioxidants which are required by the body to help it utilise the oil more efficiently.

The art with promoting weight gain, particularly for the show ring, is knowing when to stop! Continue to monitor your horse’s progress and consider the changing contribution that forage makes as the s
pring grass comes through – be prepared to alter the diet again to one with a lower energy content once your horse is looking how you want him and finding it easier to maintain his condition during the spring and summer months.

Getting it Off
If your horse or pony is at the other end of the scale and you are always struggling to keep that tummy trim, then a different approach will be required. Feeding less than the recommended quantity of a low energy mix or cube will deprive your horse of essential nutrients needed for health and well-being whilst still providing some calories that he doesn’t need. The fact that your overweight horse is dull and lack lustre may not be so much to do with lack of energy in his diet but with a lack of vitamins and minerals. An ideal solution here is to choose a feed balancer.

These provide a very concentrated source of nutrients without extra calories and enable you to feed a balanced diet to ensure your horse is receiving all the nutrients for overall health and body maintenance. With correct work you should be able to encourage weight loss, whilst the protein content of the balancer will help promote muscle tone. So on a fully balanced diet, and losing some weight, your previously dull good doer should develop a brighter outlook on life!

Again, be prepared to change what you are feeding throughout the year to suit the changing weather conditions, routine and work load. For the exceptionally good doer, a balancer may be an excellent year round solution whilst for others, once the weight is lost, you may find that as work load increases and the nutrient content of the grass drops off in late summer, you need to reintroduce some calories by choosing a low or medium energy mix or cube. Remember that keeping things balanced is the key to optimising performance – feed your concentrate at the recommended rate and if it provides too many or too few calories, switch to something that gives you the energy levels you want when fed at the recommended rate.

The Role of Forage
We all know how important fibre is to maintain gut function and satisfy the horse’s natural requirement to chew, so forage, including hay, haylage and grass, will be the basis of a healthy diet but will also make a nutritional contribution which should not be forgotten. For example, feeding forage with a very low nutritional value may mean that, even when using the recommended quantities of a compound feed, the over all diet may not be balanced. Feeding a good quality hay or haylage that is soft and leafy, will ensure that your horse receives plenty of nutrients as well as essential fibre – this is especially important when feeding poor doers.

However, your fat pony or cob, for example, still has the same requirements for fibre and should be fed a clean, dust free forage that is stalkier and lower in nutrients to ensure that fibre intake is not restricted. Creativity is essential when feeding good-doers to ensure that even a limited amount of forage takes them plenty of time to eat; small-holed haynets and one net inside another will keep them occupied, whilst low calorie chaffs offer an alternative source of fibre which also takes up chewing time.

Keeping it Right
Having achieved the level of condition that suits your horse and the work you require of him, careful monitoring will help you make the adjustments necessary to keep him that way. Try to avoid the massive condition fluctuations which may result from any “down time”, whatever the time of the year, as it will take you longer to achieve your “ideal” again. Keep a watchful eye, or use a weightape, and above all, be prepared to alter your regime accordingly to ensure your horse remains on a balanced diet and is fit and healthy to perform.

For more information or advice contact Baileys Horse Feeds on + 44(0)1371 850247, +44 (0)7885 065531 or visit www.baileyshorsefeeds.co.uk.

Toni Donnelly and Majestic Gold
at the Balmoral Show last year.

Through her enthusiastic approach and appearing in the headlines on a weekly basis this year, Toni has just been named as a brand ambassador for Spillers Horse Feeds.

We learnt a lot from Toni’s Q & A and we hope you do to as it not looks at such a wide variety of classes it is sure to encourage you onto the showing circuit should you not have already planned to compete!

Click here for a list of showing dates (including Toni’s showing clinics) for the months ahead.

The decision of which class to enter your horse into can be a daunting one, as it can make the difference between the top and bottom of the line up. This is why Toni Donnelly’s experienced eye has helped to introduce lots of new competitors to the world of showing and given them the confidence and knowledge to brave it onto their local grass arena for their showing debut.

Showing classes are divided into different weight sections: lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight and horse types including small hunter, riding horse and cob classes.

What would you describe as a perfect lightweight hunter? 
Seven-eighths or full thoroughbred, to carry 12st 7Ib with a height of 16hh – 16.2hh, 8.5 inches of bone (cannon bone) Lots of presence and well-schooled

What would you be looking for in a Middleweight Hunter? 
16.3hh and carry up to 14 stone, with about 8 3/4 to 9 inches of bone, elegant and mannerly

Would a heavyweight hunter be ideally larger in height aswell as overall stature? 
Yes, ideally, 17hh, carry over 14stone, should have 9 – 10 inches of bone. Handsome looks and good paces.

What is the height restriction for a small hunter and what condition should they ideally be? 
Measured 15.2hh, a mini middleweight with quality and manners. They must be measured by SJAI and stamped on passport.

What about coloured classes? Is there a specific height and build? 
They can be any size and usually have to be registered with CHAPS

Should ponies be plaited for native classes? 
NO! Please DO NOT PLAIT NATIVES. They should be registered with their breed society and Connemara’s classes can be ridden by adult and be over 14.2cm for some classes.

What is the difference between a riding horse and ridden hunter? 
A riding horse will have less bone and be very elegant, the small class is for horses exceeding 14.2hh but not exceeding 15.2hh and the large which is for animals exceeding 15.2hh and with no upper height limit. Horses should wear a coloured brow band.

Is there a height for the lightweight cob class?
The lightweight cob should not exceed 15.1hh and have at least 8″ of bone below the knee, while a heavyweight is classified to carry 14 stone or over at 15.1hh.

Should there be any difference in tack for these two classes? 
You would use a wider leather in the bridle, i.e. a large flat noseband. They must also be measured by SJAI and have their height stamped on their passport.
Toni Donnelly and Majestic Gold in the HOYS Working Hunter FinalWhat is the definition of a show working hunter?
The definition of a show working hunter is a good-looking horse that jumps smoothly and quietly. He should be well schooled with correct conformation, athletic movement and a good, level temperament.
At county level shows classes are divided into small hunter, novice / young horse classes 90cm and open 1m upwards. Height will always be stated on schedules. Indoor shows different have classes according to height of fences.
Small hunters and Cobs will jump a course of rustic style fences with jump height between 80cm -90cm

What height do four year old horses jump?
Four year old horses would jump up to 80cm

What is the correct rider attire for hunter classes?

Rider dress for all hunter classes is tweed jackets, tan cloured gloves and riding hats, cream, canary or beigebreeches, a cream shirt with a tie (and tie pin) tall black riding boots. Show canes are generally carried. Use elastic string for numbers and a nice tip is to cut the corners off your numbers. Should wear spurs or dummy spurs.

For evening championships, lady riders should wear a black or navy jacket (men pink jacket) with a white or cream stock, fastened with a pin, plus a top hat,

What should competitors NOT wear?
No STOCKS, or Chaps or flowers on jackets.

So down to the horse, what tack should be used and how should the horse be turned out?
All tack should be brown or black and matching, for showing classes tack should be plain and flat, but for working hunter classes it can be raised. Dark fitted numnahs and girths.

Showing saddles are straight cut. Working hunter saddles can be general purpose, however a handy hint is tomake sure the stirrups are big enough for a man’s foot and that you have enough holes in your saddle’s leathers for a short legged judge!

Double bridles are only used for showing classes over 4 years of age, snaffles for 4 yr olds if required. Always have a plaited rein on the bridoon or thinner rein on Weymouth / curb bit. No gag bits are allowed in working hunter, use understated simple bridles. Martingales are ok for working hunter. Double bridles can be used in Open classes, and boots for jumping phase only.

Now to turnout of the horse…
The horse must be well groomed, with heels, ears and muzzle trimmed, tail plaited or pulled, mane plaited with same colour bands or thread as the colour of the hair. Plaits are larger and fewer than for show jumping or dressage. Hoof oil on feet, with quarter marks for showing classes. Tails cut about 1.5 inches below chestnut.

Pony Showing Classes

The Lead Rein Pony, is there a particular age for the child and what tack should be worn?
Ponies suitable for a child of three to seven years of age are ideal. The ponies must be shown in snaffle bridles with the lead rein attached to the noseband. Judges will be looking for a pony with correct conformation, good movement, a good front and with perfect manners.

What will the judge be looking for in a ridden pony?

The First Ridden Pony 
The pony should be four years old and over and must not exceed 122cms. They are to be ridden by children up to ten years of age and again must be shown in snaffle bridles. These ponies are required to walk and trot when all together. They are asked to canter during their individual show, and the judge will be looking for a well-mannered pony which goes quietly and freely forward with the child in charge of the situation.

The 128cms (12.2hh) Ridden Show Pony
This class is for ponies four years old and over which does not exceed 128cms and ridden by a child up to thirteen years of age. In the class the judges will expect a quality, well-mannered pony which, in their opinion, is suitable for a youngster to show. The top 12.2hh pony should be more refined than the first-ridden and should include a change of rein at the canter and a few strides of gallop during the individual show

The 138cms (13.2hh) Ridden Show Pony
This class is for ponies exceeding 128cms but not exceeding 138cms and ridden by children up to fifteen years of age. It is one of the strongest classes to win with some of the most correct and beautifully bred ponies in it. At this height the judges will be looking for ponies that really cover the ground and which are polished and fluent in their individual shows.

The 148cms Class
This show pony class is for ponies exceeding 138cms and not exceeding 148cms ridden by children up to seventeen years of age.   It should be forward-going, bold in its outlook and able to gallop really well and give individual shows that are completely in control and a pleasure to watch.

The Intermediate Show Riding Types are typically divided into two classes: exc. 146cms but not exc. 153cms and exc. 153cms but not exc. 158cms. Both these classes are for riders up to 25 years of age. The above bridles would have coloured brow bands and refined leather to show off the pony’s head properly and the child should be wearing navy (g) or black (b) jackets with a flower for girls.

The Show Hunter Pony classes have become very popular. The ideal pony for this class will have the correct conformation and be a miniature of the show hunter. So more stocky / chunky ponies ideally Connemara x’s. The same type for the W.H classes.  Bridles are plain brown and thicker leather in double bridles for showing classes.

There are four height groups:
Not to exceed 122cms for riders up to the age of eleven
Exceeding 122cms but not exceeding 133cms
For riders up to the age of fourteen, exceeding 133cms but not exceeding 143cms.
For riders up to the age of seventeen and exceeding 143cms but not exceeding 153cms for riders up to the age of twenty.

As with the Show Pony classes several new classes have been added over the years: Novice, Restricted, Mixed Height and Intermediates. The Intermediate Show Hunter Type classes are for ponies/horses exceeding 148cms but not exceeding 158cms and are for riders up to the age of twenty five, and these too have proved very popular with many top class Small Hunters competing with younger riders

Left to right: Evanne McKenna riding Bella, Sharon McKeever and Cosmic Rolo, Paul Clancy and Blueberry, Sara McAree – Rosie, Michelle Clancy – Le Hoss, Shona Greg – Peppe

Toni and her students at a recent working hunter clinic in Lusks Equestrian Centre.

We would like to say a huge thank you to Toni Donnelly for explaining each class with such great detail, we have learnt a lot and can clearly see why her clinics are proving so popular as new dates grace our diary dates pages frequently from all over Ireland.

If you would like to know more including information on the working hunter pony and classes at the working hunter festival and qualifiers for this type of pony or native breeds, please contact Toni to arrange a clinic or lesson or to even find out when her clinics are near you so you can attend and learn more about your own horse or pony and how to show it to its full potential.

Toni Donnelly BSc. HND Eq, BHSAI, I.S.A & I.W.H.A Judge

antonia.donnelly@btinternet.com or Tel: 07764 786 500