CC Please - Is he looking better?

[3Beasties]

I have been trying to build my TB's top line / condition up over the winter, he is 16 and is worked 5/6 times a week, mainly hacking with lessons about once a week.

This was him towards the end of last year -

And this is him today -

Are we heading in the right direction or not? I struggle to see any improvement but others have told me he is looking much better?!

He's moving yards soon so I'll be able to do much more schooling and hill work with him, hopefully that will really help!

 

[ashlingm]

To be honest I think his top line has become alot weaker since last year.

I think lots of lunging in a chambon would help immensely as it would encourage him to lower his head, use his topline and engage from behind. I would avoid the likes of the pessoa. Another option would be the De Gogue which is like a chambon would you are able to use it while ridden. Do not use side reins!

Has he been seen by a chiro or a dentist recently. Horses avoid back or teeth pain by raising their head and hollowing their back which in turn leads to loss of topline as their back muscles are not being used correctly.

As for feed I would highly recommend Top Spec and pink powder as I have seen first hand how these have helped many scrawny thoroughbreds build up their topline after hard winters or coming just off the racing circuit to be retained for normal riding.

Otherwise he looks quite shiney which is always a sign of good health! I hope I helped in some way and I hope you don't feel I'm being harsh on you but I do feel with the help of the above they will help alot and work wonders for him because otherwise hes a well put together horse with nice confirmation

 

[nikkimariet]

I would say you're heading in the right direction as he's look a little less ribby and more built up on his bum/croup.

IMO he is still lacking a topline, and has next to no muscle on his neck.

He is a TB, reknowned for dropping weight/having difficulty gaining weight. We've had 3 TBs in the past. For the amount of work you're doing, is he getting fed enough feed?

Have you thought about upping his general feed intake? IE giving him more feed overnight? If you give him hay, what about trying ad lib haylage? Or giving him higher calorie hard feed?

Overall he is a shiny, handsome boy and I think you've done well

 

[RuthnMeg]

I don't see that he has lost condition - or got weaker. He has stayed much the same tbh. I think the optical illusion is that he is clipped 'naked' now, possibly giving the impression he is worse.
We all know coming out of winter is the worst time, but don't lose heart, all your hard work through the winter has done masses of good.
I don't envy you though, on saddle fitting with his very high wither!

 

[3Beasties]

To be honest I think his top line has become alot weaker since last year.

I think lots of lunging in a chambon would help immensely as it would encourage him to lower his head, use his topline and engage from behind. I would avoid the likes of the pessoa. Another option would be the De Gogue which is like a chambon would you are able to use it while ridden. Do not use side reins!

Unfortunately he doesn't lunge very well and at the moment I have no where to lunge him anyway so can't go down that route.

Has he been seen by a chiro or a dentist recently. Horses avoid back or teeth pain by raising their head and hollowing their back which in turn leads to loss of topline as their back muscles are not being used correctly.

He is regularly seen by a Bowen Therapist, Chiro and dentist, all of which are coming again over the next month

As for feed I would highly recommend Top Spec and pink powder as I have seen first hand how these have helped many scrawny thoroughbreds build up their topline after hard winters or coming just off the racing circuit to be retained for normal riding.

He is on Pink powder already As for feed I have had to swap and change a bit but am now happy with what he is on.

Otherwise he looks quite shiney which is always a sign of good health! I hope I helped in some way and I hope you don't feel I'm being harsh on you but I do feel with the help of the above they will help alot and work wonders for him because otherwise hes a well put together horse with nice confirmation

Thank you for your help, you're not being harsh at all, like I said I can't see much improvement myself (except he actually looks and seems happier, and is working better) so was just wanting other peoples opinions

 

[ladyt25]

I am of the opinion he doesn't look much different to be honest. He is looking a little poor condition wise but then TBs can be prone to losing weight and certainly at this time of year a lot of horses look a little lean. He is high withered and there seems to be a dip in front of his withers. I am by no means an expert but my horse has suffered from this in the past and would suggest they are not working effectively to build up a topline and are in fact hollowing. This could be down to various reasons - ie he may not be being asked to work correctly or it could be because he is in some discomfort in his back - this could be down to a saddle issue or just that he's a bit tight somewhere. If you haven't already I would maybe suggest getting a decent physio/chiro to check him over and also take a good look at how your saddle fits to ensure it is not pinching or exerting uneven pressure somewhere.

I don't know what you're feeding him either so it could be worth trying some feeds that help build condition as well?

 

[3Beasties]

I would say you're heading in the right direction as he's look a little less ribby and more built up on his bum/croup.

IMO he is still lacking a topline, and has next to no muscle on his neck.

Yep, I agree he still has a lonngg way to go!

He is a TB, reknowned for dropping weight/having difficulty gaining weight. We've had 3 TBs in the past. For the amount of work you're doing, is he getting fed enough feed?

Although he is ridden 5/6 times a week I wouldn't say it is hard work, it's usually less then an hours hacking due to me not having much time before I go to work. The weekly lessons last for about 1/2 an hour

Have you thought about upping his general feed intake? IE giving him more feed overnight? If you give him hay, what about trying ad lib haylage? Or giving him higher calorie hard feed?

He is on adlib haylage although he doesn't eat an awful lot. Feed wise going by my feed bill (over £100 a month! ) I am pretty sure he is getting enough. He gets two feeds a day and then a bucket of dried grass to munch over night. I can't add a 3rd proper feed in due to the hours I work, plus he is sharp enough as it is so I really don't want him on anything else that will make him pingier

Overall he is a shiny, handsome boy and I think you've done well

Thank you

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

I would prescribe Baileys No 4, Pink Powder, ad lib hay,haylage.

 

[3Beasties]

I don't see that he has lost condition - or got weaker. He has stayed much the same tbh. I think the optical illusion is that he is clipped 'naked' now, possibly giving the impression he is worse.
We all know coming out of winter is the worst time, but don't lose heart, all your hard work through the winter has done masses of good.
I don't envy you though, on saddle fitting with his very high wither!

Thank you

Yes saddle fitting hasn't been fun, we gave up on a leather saddle long ago and are now sticking with our trusty synthetic (which has the added bonus of looking like leather ).

 

[V1NN]

I do think he looks a little better in the new photos. I know how hard it is to keep a tb in the winter and i think you've done really well! He looks good certainly not ribby or anything like that. The old well 20's tb at my yard has a hard time keeping his top line. His owner tried a new feeding regime this year He gets fed 3 times a day now with sugar beet, hifi original, top spec and soya meal with adlib hay and i'd say its worked wonders for him. I would say though the good grass will be coming in soon and i'm sure it will work wonders for your gorgeous chap you are obviously doing a grand job by him, best of luck x

 

[Fairy Dust]

Can't see massive improvement but his coat/general appearance looks better IMO. I think you are doing all the right things and with spring/summer on the way hopefully he will keep improving! Well done so far- he looks like a very happy chap!!

 

[SirenaXVI]

I would say he looks much the same, although his coat looks to be in better condition.

If he were mine, I would have liked him to have put on a little more weight - what exactly does he get and how often? I am taking for granted that his worming is up to date.