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T.G
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
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Location: Somewhere you're not
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Sally Too
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland
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Hairyloon
Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 15425
Location: Today I are mostly being in Yorkshire.
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T.G
Joined: 13 Sep 2009
Posts: 7280
Location: Somewhere you're not
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 Posted: Sun Dec 11, 11 7:04 pm Post subject: |
 
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My own personal view is based on the fact that as a horses value is mostly derived from its usefulness (yes, I concede, there are several exceptions) this is linked to its legs/feet.
A horse is only as good as its legs/feet (as I recall � this is the reason only farriers are legally allowed to shoe a horse). So, it would follow that a horse carrying excess weight is much more directly affected than lets say a dog, a overweight horse is expected to work regardless, be it ridden or driven, thus it is similar to asking an overweight bloke to carry another bloke (often on the top side of slim) and run around with them on their back, jumping and walking on hot or cold days straight out of the paddock on many occasions.
It wouldn�t take a genius to realise it�s a recipe for injury or problems. So it would follow a slightly underweight horse is not adversely affected in this particular manner. Therefore, the detriment is stronger to an overweight horse than an underweight � obviously substantially underweight isn�t acceptable.
I do have some BVA health programme year planners which state on the reverse:
| Quote: |
| 6) SUPPLEMENTARY FEEDING � Most horses, ponies and donkeys are overfed. Obesity is more harmful than being slightly lean. A �Weigh band� is the scientific way of assessing and meeting your animal�s requirements. |
So it is a common acceptance that a slightly lean horse is better than an overweight horse.
As for children, it never ceases to amaze me that there is such tangible hatred foisted towards anyone guilty of harming an animal (I don�t advocate animal harm) but there is a lessening of this public directed hatred when it is a child or baby. Many still left in bins or under bushes shortly after birth, regular reports in the media of child deaths at the hands of their supposed parent�s/protectors� that\drift off into obscurity or are only reported briefly or locally, yet an animal and there are active open FB pages twitter feeds, publicity calling for a lynching almost.
I don't quite understand it.. maybe it's easier to acknowledge that someone has done such a terrible thing to an animal but as humans wecan't comprehend it being done to a child so we don't/can't bring ourselves to acknowledge it. |
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LynneA
Joined: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 4893
Location: London N21
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john of wessex
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 2130
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Kenworth
Joined: 04 Apr 2011
Posts: 855
Location: Michigan
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milkmaid
Joined: 04 Jan 2007
Posts: 551
Location: western isles
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