Feeding for topline not weight gain?!

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el_Snowflakes

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Can anyone recommend a quality protein feed to be used in conjunction with muscle building exercise to promote topline? My mare is a good doer but has lost a bit of topline (she's 17 & in light work including all RC activities) I am considering using baileys local as it has a high quality protein /low starch content. Anyone had an success with this or could recomend another product?

Thankyou :)
 
I use baileys no17 - my 7yo was skinny and had no topline when I got him last summer. he's looking fab at the moment .

I have before and after photos somewhere if you're interested :)
 
Have you looked into a balancer, small quantities so minimal concerns re. weight gain. My concern would be too much protein in the diet of a horse in light work otherwise.
 
Top line DOES NOT come from feeding but from quality work that develops the muscle.

So long as your horse is receiving around 8 - 10% protein, with the right work will develop a topline.

You can help improve by quality intensive grooming, using a whisp or leather massage pad.
 
Tnavas said:
Top line DOES NOT come from feeding but from quality work that develops the muscle.

So long as your horse is receiving around 8 - 10% protein, with the right work will develop a topline.

You can help improve by quality intensive grooming, using a whisp or leather massage pad.
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^^^^^^^^^

This, you can't feed to create topline. Topline comes from correct workload, feed can only support the workload
 
If I eat all the 'right' food I would be slimmer but would not have the body of an athlete or super model. Exercise builds muscle, the right exercise can ether develop muscle groups or develop stamina, just look at how actors shape their body for roles. There is no quick fix unless you want a horse just to be fat.
 
Tnavas said:
Top line DOES NOT come from feeding but from quality work that develops the muscle.

So long as your horse is receiving around 8 - 10% protein, with the right work will develop a topline.

You can help improve by quality intensive grooming, using a whisp or leather massage pad.
Click to expand...

As above, there's not quick fix, it's down to exercising your horse in the correct way & the muscle will build up.
 
Sounds like your feed is missing amino acids. Make sure to check out the levels of lysine, in particular, of whatever balancer feed you change to. Then you'll start to see a difference.
 
Tnavas said:
Top line DOES NOT come from feeding but from quality work that develops the muscle.

So long as your horse is receiving around 8 - 10% protein, with the right work will develop a topline.

You can help improve by quality intensive grooming, using a whisp or leather massage pad.
Click to expand...
You took the words right out of my mouth!
 
Op has said " in conjunction with correct muscle building exercise ", and isn't claiming she can feed protein for top line alone without quality work :rolleyes:

Well done op for asking for advice.

I would add top spec comprehensive balancer,a good alfalfa based chop and some conditioning cubes also for muscle building.
 
Thankyou for your sensible answers......the rest I will disregard. Top tip of the day- READ THE QUESTION BEFORE YOU COMMENT! ;)

blood_magik said:
I use baileys no17 - my 7yo was skinny and had no topline when I got him last summer. he's looking fab at the moment .

I have before and after photos somewhere if you're interested :)
Click to expand...

Would love to see pics. I do like a good b4 and after ;) My mare is definitely not skinny although has shed weight which includes some topline. Thanks I will have a look at baileys no 17...

Spring Feather said:
Sounds like your feed is missing amino acids. Make sure to check out the levels of lysine, in particular, of whatever balancer feed you change to. Then you'll start to see a difference.
Click to expand...

Thankyou, yes this exactly. At the moment I dont feed her at all. Shes out at grass but I dont think theres as much grass this year...

Achinghips said:
Op has said " in conjunction with correct muscle building exercise ", and isn't claiming she can feed protein for top line alone without quality work :rolleyes:

Well done op for asking for advice.

I would add top spec comprehensive balancer,a good alfalfa based chop and some conditioning cubes also for muscle building.
Click to expand...

Thanks achinghips...I actually went back to read my question after seeing some of those replies to check I didnt imagine that I had asked a sensible question lol ;) I will have a look into topspec also, many thanks.
 
trendybraincell said:
Have you looked into a balancer, small quantities so minimal concerns re. weight gain. My concern would be too much protein in the diet of a horse in light work otherwise.
Click to expand...

Sorry meant to add you in the multi quote!...;)

yes, the baileys local which i was considering is a balancer. It would be unlikely to over feed protein if adhering to guidelines as she is only on grass at the moment, excess protein is excreted in the urine so I understand your concern as this causes kidneys to work extra hard but I do believe you would need to feed protein in pretty crazy amounts for this to occur. When I say 'light' work I mean ridden around 5 x a week...schooling, jumping,hacking and some competitions, so not what everyone would call light work but would rather underestimate than overestimate.
 
This is an interesting thread for me, I am looking to feed for more topline on my pony, but I don't want an excitable, fat pony! He is doing work now to gain topline, works correctly and so on but without the feed he can't gain muscle.
 
NinjaPony said:
This is an interesting thread for me, I am looking to feed for more topline on my pony, but I don't want an excitable, fat pony! He is doing work now to gain topline, works correctly and so on but without the feed he can't gain muscle.
Click to expand...

Iv had a look at the specifics on the baileys lo cal and compared i to the topline conditioning mix and I think its a better option. Might be an option for your pony too? I will give it a try and let you know how I get on ;)
 
Equitop Myoplast.

Your question made perfect sense and you will find your older horse will improve her topline with correct work and the supplement Equitop Myoplast.

The negative is it is rather expensive, but the majority of the better bagged balancers are also expensive so you will need to do some comparatives on quantity/cost/length of time used/results.
 
el_Snowflakes said:
Iv had a look at the specifics on the baileys lo cal and compared i to the topline conditioning mix and I think its a better option. Might be an option for your pony too? I will give it a try and let you know how I get on ;)
Click to expand...
Thanks! My old pony was on Baileys lo-cal, and it didn't send her crazy so that is a good thing if nothing else.
 
I was going to ask a similar question but for my 4 yr old. He's already on lo cal balancer but now he's in light work its not quite enough so thinking of switching to a top spec cool balancer
 
I put my mare in topspec cool balancer about a month ago for this exact reason, and she is really starting to look good on it :)
 
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