u/VisualArm2659

This may be a stupid question but as breeders how do yall feel about getting pictures of pups yall have sold? Does it get to a point where its annoying/floods your messages? I’d love to send my breeder more pics of my guy but I didn’t want to come across as annoying, so I’m just wondering if its something yall actually appreciate :)

I’m 20f and I’ve had my gelding since I was 16. He’s supposedly around 20-25 (hes been aged differently by multiple vets, sooo idk exact age). He’s been on the chonkier side since i’ve gotten him, and weight management has always been difficult. He’s an AQH and also in semi retirement.

The vet comes out and checks him maybe every 6 months as well as our other horses, he’s pastured with a 8yr old gelding and a 12yr old mare. I’ve gotten plenty of comments about his weight by this one specific vet, and it bothers me every time. I want the absolute best for my horse, and I’ve really tried my best with him throughout the years. He’s my first and only horse, I’ve learned with him.

Anywho, vet told me at his last visit that doc (my horse) is sadly starting to lose some of his teeth. My family members that work on our ranch have advised me that it’s better for him to keep on extra weight because once he starts losing weight he probably won’t stop.

Here’s my thing: Am I the unrealistic one for wanting my horse in better shape? Should I let him carry out his retirement and remain as a pasture pet? Or should I try to start structured workout sessions?

Some additional context as to why I am hesitant to push him into a workout routine:
Doc was struck by a family member of mine and lost complete vision in one of his eyes a year after the incident happened. This attack happened roughly 2-3 years ago. Doc has never feared me, and I spent so much time with him after this attack. But more recently my cousin brought it to my attention that I’m the only person who can even approach Doc now. Within the past 6 months i’d say, Doc absolutely wants nothing to do with me. His most recent vet visit was within the time frame of him becoming adverse to me, and the vet didn’t seem to find anything wrong with him. We’re also entering summer in south louisiana, so the weather is absolutely brutal. I don’t know if he’s just avoiding me because he doesn’t want to ride, which is fine.. or if this is a pain or age related issue.

Anyway, I could use any advice possible. I ask that people be as kind as they can be, I don’t have a lot of additional support or help with horses and I’ve had to do a lot of research on my own, I’m just trying to do right by him.

I’ll try to get some decent pictures of him so I can show yall his conformation, the pictures that I currently have aren’t from a good enough angle to tell what he really looks like.