feed or schooling?

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clairefeekerry1

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i have a nearly 7yr old 15.1 connie x tb. his weight is okay, but he lacks topline and condition. he's fit and looks healthy, shiny coat, bright eyes etc. he has enough energy for what were doing, hacking/schooling/jumping competing at RC about once a fortnight, although an extra tiny bit of oomph wouldnt go a miss!
he's only in the last 3 months or so started working properly in my opinion. his schooling has always been good but now he's in a lovely outline, working from behind, currently competing at novice level and getting placed. he's living out 24/7 for the summer,good grazing, rugged according to weather but not fed. i have various instructors etc that always comment he lacks condition/muscle/topline. i'm wary of feeding too much as in the winter he changed to haylage and went loopy, very loopy and i dont want to go back to that. should i just continue inproving his schooling and the muscle and topline should come or should i be feeding him something to help. i'll add, he's always had a basic level of fitness, its just now imo he's working more proper.
 
Could be a little of both. Maybe add a balancer to his feed, lo cal or something similar that won't blow his top.

I'll probably be shot down in flames for this but I quite using a chambon twice a week when it's needed in a situation like yours. 15 minutes on each rein should do the trick.
 
My horse went loopy when I first put her on haylage, but I tried a different manufacturer that produced a lower energy level and now shes perfect. Also Id highly recommend Falcon Feeds Omega Rice, its similar to blue chip (but half the price). We use it on our dressage horses and after around a month or two you can see a massive change in their muscle tone, without any heating properties.
 
the haylage is provided for us so i dont have a choice, tho i can choose hay, which is what i went for in the end. someone suggested calm and condition, but i've heard that has a high level of energy
 
If you want to build up muscle, then the body needs protein to increase in size - see all the body builder protein shakes!

I would feed something with decent levels of protein - haylage has high levels of sugar so will blow your horse's brain if he's sensitive to sugar levels (bit like giving your toddler the contents of a sweet shop)

calm and condition is mainly sugar beet if you read the ingredients.


I would also echo the poster who suggested a chambon - we're huge fans as it helps topline build up really well - encouraging the horse to work without resistance
 
I would give him a small feed with a balancer added (I love pink powder), added to a molasses free chaff (badmington feeds alfa lite is one of the few I have found!), that coupled with working properly will help with the top line. On your hacks can you do hills? They are fab! That and time I think will make a massive difference. I would be reluctant to get him on more calories as there is loads of grass coming through at the moment.
Does his saddle fit well? My oh mare's was just the smallest bit snug behind her whithers and it really affected her topline. Saddle now sorted and her shape is now improving - worth considering if he isn't improving at the rate you might expect.
 
You need something high in fibre but with a medium level of protein to start. You are better to start off slowly & to build it up than go for a high conditioning feed that will by all accounts be high in energy, although there are different sources of energy, you need to experiment how much your pony horse needs to maintain a healthy weight & still get an even level of energy.

The trouble is that you are now paying catch up with his weight once you have the weight back on he will need feed to maintain it.

He need an alfalfa based diet as this is great at promoting muscle development, topline is ultimately schooling but he needs help from feed to produce that muscle.

I Would start off on an Alfa lite & high fibre cubes, something with medium level of energy & protein. I have used Dengie Alpha Lite & spillers high fibre cubes, but I have just gone onto chestnut Alpha Easy which is all in one feed but low energy.

I hope this helps
 
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