How to improve a low set neck?

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JHC

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I've had a lot of ups and down with my TB mare, which has affected her in quite a lot of ways.

She got very stressed when I first had her and dropped a lot of weight and has never really got the weight back. She is on the barefoot diet as her hooves would suggest she's had low grade laminitis so I've been watching her feed intake quite closely.

Anyway to the point of my post, since losing weight and having time off work she's lost a lot of topline to the point her neck is almost none existant.

She is coming back into work and now need to help get her neck muscles where they should be. Any exercises to help?

I have no arena but with the dry spell we're having I can lunge in the field.

2013-02-08160137_zpse6eb7144.jpg

Excuse the mud and the fact she's tied to a gate

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Tbh she looks very poor at the moment - I wouldn't be doing any more than walking her gently in hand, whilst getting weight on her slowly. Certainly no lunging or riding - she looks like she'd snap !

Has she had her teeth done, been wormed, seen a vet ? Or is it just bad conformation ?
 
Shysmum said:
Tbh she looks very poor at the moment - I wouldn't be doing any more than walking her gently in hand, whilst getting weight on her slowly. Certainly no lunging or riding - she looks like she'd snap !

Has she had her teeth done, been wormed, seen a vet ? Or is it just bad conformation ?
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Agreed. I would be doing no hard work with her now. Walking up hills at the very most but I would want more weight on her before starting her work tbh.
 
Our 24 yr old TB looks like that if shes not ridden, within 2 weeks of being ridden she gets a neck back, unfortunately Tb's often look very very poor if not worked, good food and gentle regular exercise makes a massive difference! I would suggest you walk her up hill and down dale, and don't let her hurry, ride her between your hands and seat so shes working properly don't let her amble along on a loose rein x
 
TBH, i wouldn't want to do anything with her until she has more weight on. She looks very dull in her eyes. If she were mine, i'd have the vet check her out again.
 
Hmmm, I think you're right to be guided by your own instinct - I guess the vets were thinking work would develop muscle? But I'd agree that as she is, there's nothing to turn into muscle.
Have you got any scope to alter diet to something to help her gain condition (I know nothing about the barefoot diet, but assume there's variations for different types?)

I'd be looking to put weight on first, then inhand exercise once she's looking a bit better, long rein if you can? I'd avoid lunging, as I'm not convinced its great for weak horses. if shes had a ridden history, I'd prob get a good physio or biomechanics expert involved to help establish a good pattern/using herself before she has to carry a rider?
 
Devonshire dumpling said:
Our 24 yr old TB looks like that if shes not ridden, within 2 weeks of being ridden she gets a neck back, unfortunately Tb's often look very very poor if not worked, good food and gentle regular exercise makes a massive difference!
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Shysmum said:
TBH, i wouldn't want to do anything with her until she has more weight on. She looks very dull in her eyes. If she were mine, i'd have the vet check her out again.
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See this is my issue, I can get weight on her if she's on conditioning feed but it plays havoc with her metabolic system so can't feed her them. She currently has adlib hay (when stabled), and two feeds of Speedibeet, High Fibre cubes, Linseed, Biotin, Brewers yeast and Soya oil. Not sure what else I can add?

This was her in November/December time when she was in light work.
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Add- Just seen you post Norfolk Pie - yes she's had her back done not long ago by a physio and only pin pointed a few tense spots. I didn't ask about a good way to work her, but I will give her a call.

I have been long-reining, but only once or twice a week
 
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We recently had the vet our for our girl as shes been poor due to bad weather for last 2 summers ( she does well on grass) and at her age struggles a bit with weight, he did bloodtests etc... but he said we shouldn't put too much sugarbeet in as it filled her up on a substance that is 90% water.... he suggest 16+ mix and a scattering of beet, with soya oil. I know this won't be relevent to your horse, but sharing information anyway.
 
I'd contact an i dependant nutritionist - I don't know enough about that to offer any advice, but I'd certainly feel work needed to wait for the moment. The previous pics she looks better in her coat, and a little rounder, but still no real tone, which would make me feel she's not absorbing things well enough to convert to muscle. I'd also suspect ulcers. You say hay adlib when she's in- assume she is at moment? Can you feed good hay in field Aswell?
Good luck, she looks very sweet, sounds like she's had a rough time :)
 
weesophz said:
removed - didnt see your post about what she was fed! when you say linseed, is it the oil or actual micronized linseed?
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Cooked Linseed from Equus Health but I think it is actually micronized.

Devonshire dumpling said:
shouldn't put too much sugarbeet in as it filled her up on a substance that is 90% water.... he suggest 16+ mix and a scattering of beet, with soya oil. I know this won't be relevent to your horse, but sharing information anyway.
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I never really thought of that, thankyou.
 
Norfolk Pie said:
I'd contact an i dependant nutritionist - I don't know enough about that to offer any advice, but I'd certainly feel work needed to wait for the moment. The previous pics she looks better in her coat, and a little rounder, but still no real tone, which would make me feel she's not absorbing things well enough to convert to muscle. I'd also suspect ulcers. You say hay adlib when she's in- assume she is at moment? Can you feed good hay in field Aswell?
Good luck, she looks very sweet, sounds like she's had a rough time :)
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She's in during the day as she absolutely hates being in during the night and gets adlib - works out at about 2 large haynets - but fed on the floor.

She's been a definite learning curve! My previous horse was such a good doer he only needed a handful of chaff so it's been hard work with this mare.
 
OP - my TB has a low set neck - this is a photo of her when she came back from 3 months in hospital - it's only because she is holding her head up that she doesn't look quite as bad as yours in the neck area
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This is her a short time later - I long-reined her and led her in hand for weeks and weeks, up and down hills - in fact we had a regular 40 minute walking route. I didn't long-rein her with a roller, just lunge lines attached to the bit.
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She has been out of work for three months again now and I am bringing her back into work slowly now, doing the same thing - lots of long-reining.
 
Holly Hocks said:
OP - my TB has a low set neck - this is a photo of her when she came back from 3 months in hospital - it's only because she is holding her head up that she doesn't look quite as bad as yours in the neck area
blueresize2-1.jpg


This is her a short time later - I long-reined her and led her in hand for weeks and weeks, up and down hills - in fact we had a regular 40 minute walking route. I didn't long-rein her with a roller, just lunge lines attached to the bit.
015.jpg


She has been out of work for three months again now and I am bringing her back into work slowly now, doing the same thing - lots of long-reining.
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Wow!!!!!!

This was my point really, some TB's look like rubbish without work! X
 
Holly Hocks said:
OP - my TB has a low set neck - this is a photo of her when she came back from 3 months in hospital - it's only because she is holding her head up that she doesn't look quite as bad as yours in the neck area
blueresize2-1.jpg


This is her a short time later - I long-reined her and led her in hand for weeks and weeks, up and down hills - in fact we had a regular 40 minute walking route. I didn't long-rein her with a roller, just lunge lines attached to the bit.
015.jpg


She has been out of work for three months again now and I am bringing her back into work slowly now, doing the same thing - lots of long-reining.
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Off topic, but you've actually made my day with these pics HH. I've been trying to explain to someone that rushing into ridden work on their horse (currently in poor condition but also with stress issues) is not necessary, and he stands a better chance of staying sound if we go "the long way round". They're convinced that walking him out inhand won't build any tone, they need to be on board and get him "on the bit" :mad:
So thanks for that :)
 
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Devonshire dumpling said:
Wow!!!!!!

This was my point really, some TB's look like rubbish without work! X
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I agree - I should take a photo of mine at the moment, and if I remember I'll take one tomorrow - she is nowhere near at the stage that she is in my first photo, but she is pot-bellied and with no muscle at the moment due to being out of work, so her neck looks dreadful - but give me 6 weeks and she'll be a different horse - give me another 6 weeks after that and she'll look like she did in the second photo again. X
 
Norfolk Pie said:
Off topic, but you've actually made my day with these pics HH. I've been trying to explain to someone that rushing into ridden work on their horse (currently in poor condition but also with stress issues) is not necessary, and he stands a better chance of staying sound if we go "the long way round". They're convinced that walking him out inhand won't build any tone, they need to be on board and get him "on the bit" :mad:
So thanks for that :)
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Well I definitely think a minimum of 6 weeks long-reining/in hand work did it for mine so that's what I'm doing again, on the advice of the physio who came out to her recently. I don't see how you can get a horse which is poor condition to work "on the bit" as it won't have the strength to carry itself properly and will end up sore and even more stressed. But you can't tell some people - they have to find out the hard way. :(
 
I'd use Fenugreek alongside the Linseed along with speedi-beet and ad-lib hay :)

I decided try one of mine on Fenugreek after seeing Nikkimarriet's latest comp post about Fig. The difference between the pictures were remarkable and I'm seeing similar in mine - obviously it's accompanied by work. I'd be long lining yours along with the diet change.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Well I definitely think a minimum of 6 weeks long-reining/in hand work did it for mine so that's what I'm doing again, on the advice of the physio who came out to her recently. I don't see how you can get a horse which is poor condition to work "on the bit" as it won't have the strength to carry itself properly and will end up sore and even more stressed. But you can't tell some people - they have to find out the hard way. :(
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I bet you get super fit too!!!!! X
 
I've not read the whole thread, but wanted to reply. As you know your mare looks very poor, but good for you posting asking for advice. My tuppenceworth will probably have been mentioned already but here it is for what it's worth. You will have checked that teeth etc are ok?

Has the vet done bloods to make sure everythings ok inside, liver etc, and nutritionally she's not vit b deficiient or mineral deficient, what's your soil like?

If you can get it and she will eat it, try adding fishmeal to her food, it tastes vile so just a teeny weeny bit at a time, if she's fussy feeder then it's probably not worth bothering.

If you have the time i'd take her for walks, lead off another horse if you can for company for her, walk miles and miles and miles. Stay in walk. Don't lunge, it will use up energy she just doesn't have. Keep her warm and always have something for her to pick at. dont use haynets just now, make eating as simple and natural as possible, even if she does waste half of it on the floor!

You've got a long way to go but the frame is not too bad, but you'll wear out lots of shoes and cover hundreds of long slow miles to get a top on that lady. What a challenge, best of luck :)
 
amandaco2 said:
Add ers pellets or copra
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There are rumours that Copra is potentially lethal to horses...I'm not sure if its true or just gossip or not but if you google there are some interesting features.

We had a very light TB come home in November, we had her on soya oil, which although high in calories contains no starch or sugar, so should be safe for her? I bet she will be stunning once she's got some weight on her :)
 
singing dawg said:
You will have checked that teeth etc are ok?

Has the vet done bloods to make sure everythings ok inside, liver etc, and nutritionally she's not vit b deficiient or mineral deficient, what's your soil like?

dont use haynets just now, make eating as simple and natural as possible, even if she does waste half of it on the floor!
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Thankyou - I need luck! In answer to your questions she has her teeth done by an EDT, she is slightly parrot mouth but EDT didn't seem worried when questioned.

In during the day with adlib hay on the floor.

Yes she's had bloods taken and came back all clear. I'm going to get her scoped for ulcers.



Mariposa said:
We had a very light TB come home in November, we had her on soya oil, which although high in calories contains no starch or sugar, so should be safe for her? I bet she will be stunning once she's got some weight on her :)
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I hope she will look better when she gets some weight on her. She's getting fed about 3-4 tablespoons of soya oil currently and slowly increasing it.
 
She is such a pretty colour! And looks lovely in your lunging pic.
I agree with what others are saying about getting her weight up first before starting much work. Would she be ok on Rowan Barbary mash? Mine loves that :)
Also, is she rugged? My mare drops loads of weight when she is unrugged.

My mare was similar when I first got her:
dancer1073.jpg

and now (again to prove you can improve them with work etc)
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When you do start work, I would start by hacking and doing lots of long and low stretchy work while hacking, slowly building it up. And do little bits of schooling while you hack like flexing from side to side etc.
 
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