Building topline

H

~Howrse~Mad~

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 December 2012
Messages
63
Visit site
How do i know if my horse has got good top line? How do i know if he needs work on his topline? And how do i correct this problem? I have read feeding grass at night reduces sugar levels, feed with more protein, long lining, lunging, hillwork, schooling (circles, transitions, etc)...? Check his teeth and worming etc..
 
For me, the only thing that builds correct topline is correct work. Feeding can supplement, but not create, if what I've long believed is correct :)
 
Is no different than body builders, who strive to sculpt their bodies and build muscle definition. They put the right fuel in and exercise very carefully and correctly. In the case of horses, you've already said it - hill work, transitions, long and low, Pessoa (done correctly of course) and rest of course. Resting muscles is as important as exercising them.
 
Don't thank me yet, i could be wrong ;) but thinking from a human perspective, feeding your body thing, even protein/creotine(sp) to add bulk, will only help half way. You then have to do the correct muscle work, in order for that to be converted into muscle in the right place :)
 
I agree with everyone else, the correct work is all it takes. We also used to feed blue chip feed balancer to the ex-racehorses that we were trying to build a good top line.
 
Mines on conditioning mix and an oil supplement high in protein as a muscle builder. She's on the Pessoa, walker regularly and I've just started walking in hand trying to find some local hills. She lost all top line due to kissing spine. I've started to see some improvement already but a long way to go. Ridden work in 2 weeks if all goes well.

Do the other poster have any idea how long it takes to go from really no top line to a decent amount of muscle - for a generally athletic horse who works nicely in an outline under saddle ?
 
Correct feeding and work as Amymay says, I've been focusing on this for a while with Ben and have seen a huge improvement, feed wise he has been having hifi and speedie beet, 300g linseed and a complete vit and min supplement. He has now dropped down is feed sizes and gone from 300 - 150g linseed as the grass is really kicking in. He was doing a couple of Pessoa sessions, a schooling session and three hacks a week, although now we are just focusing on hacks... During which we do one canter short session, but the reset is all up and down transitions between halt walk and trot, with rein back too... In the last month he has come on so much. I will post the link of pictures of his development if it helps.

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=613032
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top