Do you personal a colored horse or pony? You then’re certain to narrate to one in every of these eight conditions…

1. Bathing has grow to be a full-time job

Your horse appears to get steady stains the place you by no means knew a horse may get steady stains, and dirt appears to stay to each single white part of his physique. You’re all for letting your horse stay his life, so that you’re compelled to remain on prime of his cleanliness with a bucket, sponge and a few old style elbow grease. The one constructive is that you simply’re arguably in a barely higher place than house owners of white-grey horses…

2. Your horse has extra rugs than an internet tack retailer

If you happen to compete your colored he wants an intensive wardrobe. Hoods, below and over rugs, lycra fits and an abundance of turnout rugs, to not point out sufficient tail baggage and bandages to provide the traditional horse for a lifetime. Your washer is definitely put to the check throughout competitors season, too.

3. In case you have a cob, to hog or to not hog is a continuing dilemma

Is he a standard cob, or would he maybe make a greater hogged present cob? Possibly he’s extra of a local kind? Would it not be simpler to let his mane develop naturally, or ought to I take it off for ease and comfort? Ought to I trim his legs out, however then what about his pretty feathers? Bear in mind, as soon as it’s gone, it’s gone…

4. You get tired of telling folks the distinction between piebald and skewbald

Simply to remind everybody, piebalds have black patches, and skewbalds are white with patches of one other color (bay, brown, chestnut and many others), although they’ll most likely neglect this in a couple of minutes.

5. Your horse generally will get underestimated at competitions

Simply because he has patches doesn’t imply he’s any much less able to clearing these fences, performing a chic dressage check or reigning within the present ring. We really feel that house owners of extra conventional coloureds are most likely topic to essentially the most discrimination when out and about, as folks are likely to underestimate the “cobby” varieties extra. Simply watch him go and then you definately’ll be compelled to eat your phrases.

6. You grow to be unable to distinguish between a marking and a steady stain

Much like level one, steady stains grow to be one thing you had been initially wired by, however you’ve come to simply accept them and realise it’s simply all a part of proudly owning a colored. Nonetheless, a yellowing tinge on competitors day gained’t wash (pun meant) so that you’ve tried out all of the fast-acting whitening shampoos in the marketplace. We’ve all been responsible of letting yellow bits fester for thus lengthy that they appear to have grow to be a part of your horse’s DNA. I can simply begin once more after I clip him subsequent yr, proper?

7. You’ve grow to be obsessive about colored horses and ponies

When you’ve received a colored magnificence in your life, you’ll battle to return to stable colors. Their patches and markings make them distinctive, and there’s an incredible community of breeders, lovers and societies devoted to all forms of colored horses and ponies.

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H&H exhibiting editor

Born and raised within the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the exhibiting scene. She has certified and competed ponies on the Royal Worldwide, Horse of the 12 months Present and Olympia and has first-hand information of the present points within the exhibiting world in addition to the horses, ponies and riders who compete within the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 since when she has cemented its place because the main equestrian publication for each exhibiting studies and present exhibiting information within the UK.