best way to build topline to a horse not in work??

'Topline' is muscle, so the only way to build it up is by working the horse. If you 'feed for topline' then it will just be fat and not muscle! :)
 
xgemmax said:
'Topline' is muscle, so the only way to build it up is by working the horse. If you 'feed for topline' then it will just be fat and not muscle! :)
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^this^
but in fairness, how many ads for feeds do you see which claim to improve topline? So no wonder people think you can feed for topline.

OP - lots of carrot stretches will help.
 
dianchi said:
Actually blue chips trick is to put water on top on muscle to give the appearance of bigger muscles.

Only work can build up muscle!
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I understand that only work can build real muscle but care to expand on the first bit? I wasn't aware Bluechip caused water retention??
 
he is lame so on bute trial with vet at mo so only light hacking work...and as I am working going to work in dark and finish in dark - he doesnt get worked during the week only gets ridden 2 days a week..so need to build some topline..could poss do some lungeing I guess....
 
I'm watching this with interest because I have a chicken and egg situation - Reg doesn't have enough top line to wear a saddle, although after several weeks on good grass (from September onwards) he has now covered his ribs really well - and isn't hungry because he doesn't clean up his feeds in one sitting, takes 2. So how to build that muscle without riding, and with very little time to lunge or long rein? Is it possible or does he remain a field ornament until the spring.
 
Product called muscle mass is brilliant and when you get to your desired condition just need to manage it. I feed Sarazens, good quality feed.
 
JillA said:
I'm watching this with interest because I have a chicken and egg situation - Reg doesn't have enough top line to wear a saddle, although after several weeks on good grass (from September onwards) he has now covered his ribs really well - and isn't hungry because he doesn't clean up his feeds in one sitting, takes 2. So how to build that muscle without riding, and with very little time to lunge or long rein? Is it possible or does he remain a field ornament until the spring.
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Could he be hungry but not liking his feed enough? Monty was like that - always hungry but he detested the Simple Systems feed I gave him. Would kick over the bucket in disgust and walk away. Put him back onto a ready-made feed (Safe & Sound), and he'd eat it up in a moment.

You won't put on muscle without the work, though you can obviously put on weight. I switched the new pony onto Dengie Healthy Tummy at the end of the summer and wow is all I can say. The difference in him, muscle-wise, is incredible. Within 2 or 3 weeks his topline improved and because he's building muscle in the right places now, he finds work much easier. He isn't a particularly good doer so he isn't carrying any excess weight/fat (I'm having to feed linseed to make sure he doesn't lose weight, and will be getting Speedibeet soon too), but he's looking really fit and much stronger.
 
buddy's mummy said:
he is lame so on bute trial with vet at mo so only light hacking work...and as I am working going to work in dark and finish in dark - he doesnt get worked during the week only gets ridden 2 days a week..so need to build some topline..could poss do some lungeing I guess....
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The are no shortcuts to developing topline, no miracle feeds or supplements (although you do need to make sure your horse is not getting enough good quality protein to meet his daily needs). Topline is muscle and the only way to develop muscle is through lots of careful exercise. There are exercises you can do to help strengthen your horse's back muscles though, eg carrot stretches, belly lifts, asking them to back up, walking up and down hills, polework, etc.
If your horse is lame, lungeing is probably not advisable. Check with your vet.
 
buddy's mummy said:
?? how?
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Hello, can I ask how old Buddy is? Earlier you mentioned he is going to be a field ornament for a few months, is this due to us being in the Winter season and time/daylight is not on your side? Is it because his lameness could mean turnout recuperation? Is he a youngster that would benefit from a few more growing months? Are you actually looking for top line or are you looking to increase his weight, put more cover on him? I am wondering whether you are confusing top line with 'fattening' up? If he has a poor neck then no amount of good old fashioned 'banging' will help because the muscle quality will not be good enough. Need more information because your post is getting more confusing!
 
I agree MBL strapping alone isn't a solution but used in conjunction with the exercises suggested by Buddy's Mum ( eg carrot stretches, belly lifts, asking them to back up, walking up and down hills, polework, etc.) every little helps.
 
RaynerK said:
I understand that only work can build real muscle but care to expand on the first bit? I wasn't aware Bluechip caused water retention??
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I bought my mare blue chip as she looked a bit lean and wanted to help her, two days in after feeding blue chip and massive swollen legs, left no definition on the leg at all. Vet out as thought it was a major problem, went through it and explained the feed and pin pointed it immediately.
There was a test done it but I cant find the docs that got posted online at the moment, but the immediate appearance Improvement from the Original is from water retention
 
It's annoying when they loose muscle due to enforced rest. Lots of good ideas here, also feed hay from ground and do all those stretching exercises suggested .... But reduce your expectations so you can have a good worry free Christmas and however long you intend keeping out of work

Resign yourself to the start of the long slog to get it back when back in work . Out of work you can't even keep them ticking over properly, let alone "build topline"
 
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