alphabeet / speedibeet for topline?? Long but advice needed

[Stinkbomb]

I currently feed Inky on Baileys Alfa blend, speedibeet and topline cubes. He has limited grazing during the day and he is stabled at night with hay ( not adlib but plenty ) Yes he's a miniature but he gets worked plenty.

However despite all the work he is doing i would like him to have alittle more topline ( which im struggling to achieve ) and less "weight" around the belly area.

I know in order to have topline the horse needs plenty of condition to work with, which he has. Im thinking that im obviously feeding him too many calories that he is not able to work off and thus storing as fat. I know creating topline isnt all about feeding but i really am doing all the exercise possible to help this too!!

Ive considered reducing his calorie intake and possibly upping his protein intake to achieve the results of what i want. Would this work??

In order to do this i was thinking about replacing the alfablend with hifi lite, and changing from speedibeet to alfa beet ( thus reducing the calories, and in respect of the alfabeet increasing the protein ) and possibly increasing his topline cubes.

Am i thinking along the right lines or have i totally got it wrong?

 

[Firewell]

What about a balancer? They are high in protein and low in calories.. They also help them utilise fibre better so can help with a 'hay belly'

 

[rambling]

I think Alfabeet is brilliant stuff .

 

[LivingTheDream92]

The problem with building topline is is essentially gaining weight, you cant be particular about where that weight goes.

the only thing that will build topline without weight is more long and low exercise like pessoa on the lowest setting or a bungee going from the poll to the girth.

protein helps muscle repair and excess protein will only be flushed from the system by the kidneys.

i know he's already working hard but working specifically on those muscles alone will help. other stuff which help topline in long run is: feeding from the floor/ haybar and not from a net, water from floor and not automatic drinkers, anything that keeps his head down will develop the top neck muscle

 

[LivingTheDream92]

also, as an add on. most horses get all the protein they require from hay and haylage which have about a 15-20% protein content by themselves