Building topline

[Courtney Mabbott]

Hi i have recently bought a 16 year old broodmare, in able to ride i am needing to build her muscles up especially her topline, im currently walking her around the school, walking her up and down hills and doing stretches, shes currently on chaff, is there anything I could add to her feed to help build this muscle, i have uploaded a picture of her condition

 

[mini_b]

Hi Courtney!
Before pressing on with work Id want a chat with the farrier. In that photo it appears that hooves are ridged indicative of previous problems relating to diet/laminitis and I don’t like the angle to which heels are dropped. None of this is conducive for keeping your new horse sound.

Once you are happy that all of that is taken care of, good grass and maybe a balancer with your chaff as a token feed to ensure she’s getting everything.
to begin with loads and loads of hacking, lots of transitions on your hacks, going in a forward walk and trot not at the end of the buckle.
Allow her breaks, but not to sloth out and then do your stretched out walk on the last part of your ride home. (hillwork as you mentioned!)

if she’s been off as a broodmare, it will take a while to develop muscle in places she’s not used for a long time. the hacking should keep her forward and interested.
Good luck

 

[Courtney Mabbott]

Hi and I forgot to mention she is a rescue and her feet were in a very bad condition this is literally a couple of days from when she got her feet trimmed she is flat footed which doesn't help either, thank you for your advice