Condition/Topline Help Please *pics*

Looking at the way he is muscled, I must agree with the posters who think there may possibly be some sort of physical problem going on there - whether it is a saddle problem, a back problem or some sort of sub-clinical hindlimb lameness or hindquarter weakness. Is he ever stiff behind or does he find working in a proper 'through' outline difficult?
 
As well as all the good advice about chambons/ pessoas and long and low work this maybe might a bit controversial but I read on here recently to feed bucket feed at chest height (I think someone went to a famous SJ clinic and he recommended it) which helps the top neck muscle to develop a little better, if only for a few minutes a day. Hay was fed from the floor as pulling from haynets develops the under muscle. I am a bit concerned about the way haybars make horses bend into them to reach the bottom and then have to lift the heads unnaturally high out of it (observed this after I was watching my mare eat one day and how her muscles flexed)

Just a thought...
 
I stand to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable about feet than me, but to me his toes look long and his heels low, particularly behind, which would make him tight through his haunches and back and unable to work correctly. Might be worth a look? He's such a lovely sort. Good luck! :)
 
Regarding feed....I'd soak Speedibeet (very very low in suger, SRE), A&P Calm & Condition (brilliant stuff) and Fast Fibre all together and split between two feeds a day, and mix it with both Alfa A Oil and hi Fi lite (so you don't get the extra suger from normal chop) but don't by shy with the chop, big bucket full, and a scoop of Baileys No6 Endurance mix (SRE but high oil and low statch) and plenty of good hay, also feed Pink Naff powder as it will really help him get the best of out what your feeding him, I'd be very supprised if you didn't see a big difference within a month.

Good luck :)
 
Martlin - Don't worry I wasn't planning on riding in a De gouge.


TGM - He has always struggled to work properly but he does seem to be getting better.


He has had his back, teeth and saddle checked recently.

Thanks for all the great advise so far, it's certainly given me something to work with :)
 
If you've got a spare £60 kicking around you could try a tub of Equitop Myoplast; I found it put muscle on a weak-backed TB like nothing else (combined with correct work, of course, but sounds like you're on top of this).
 
India has gone from this;
India004.jpg


To this;
IP-1.jpg


With lots and lots of this;
FinalPhonePics235.jpg


Granted it has taken 6 months and a lot of time and effort spent encouraging her longer and to use the correct muscles but its worth it. My instructor does a lot of work with the TTT and I think their principles will be very helpful for you.

India is also full TB so there is hope :D x
 
jhoward said:
what about your saddle? that can play a huge part in wastage such as your lads.
Click to expand...

This would have been the first thing I would have said...

Get your saddle checked - as he builds up you will need to keep getting it checked probably on a monthly basis

Lunge in a chambon - dont do too much too quickly

Feed a conditioning feed - you will find ERS pellets from D&H are more conditioning and less likely to blow his brains than 16+
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top