Improving condition/topline/muscle for pony who's not ridden

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Carrots&Mints

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Right I've chucked myself and mr m into the deep end and decided this season we are going to a couple of county shows inhand. He's rising 4 and lacking abit of topline (doesn't need much to improve) needs his tummy tucking in abit and needs abit more muscle on the buttocks and over his back.

Any tips and advice? He long reins pretty well just need someone to ome with me out on the road (up the hills).

He's currently fed a mug (dry and then soaked) of calm and condition, mollichop original, garlic and brewers yeast.

Also, he's due for an op at Leahurst end of this month I think (date yet to be confirmed) and will probably have about 2/3 weeks of box rest!
 
I would cut out the molasses and garlic neither will be doing him much good and put him onto some micronised linseed which will give him quality protein to help with muscle development as well as being good for his skin and coat. He will probably drop off a bit with a GA/ box rest so maybe give him a bit more before he goes in so he can afford to lose a little, once he can get out again gently increase the exercise, by then the grass should be coming through so he is likely to pick up fairly quickly.
 
In-hand or long-reigning up hills and put hay on the floor at all times. Other than that there isn't much you can do - I wouldn't recommend lunging a baby in any gadgets or leaving him in side-reins in his stable for hours on end (my brief stay at a showing yard traumatised me). If he's in a young horse class then I'm sure they won't expect him to have as much top-line as an older ridden horse would.
 
Thanks guys might try over the weekend going out on the road (will have to dig out the high viz!) we live on top of Mount Everest (feels like it) so will just walk him up and down up and down haha! No not into gadgets at all, have used something to get him relaxing on the lunge - the thing Laura b uses, but only twice and he's now stretching. Be positive I just keep on with the garlic as it helps with the flys (does it? doesn't it? I don't know gives me more piece of mind haha) will look into the linseed - do I used micronised or powdered? Defo won't be taking him off the brewers yeast as I found his coat is like glass it's just beautiful and it's a good source of bits and proteins haha! Also, was wondering about strapping him, done this with a previous horse but undecided wether to do on mine? Perhaps after surgery and when he's on his way to recovery?
 
Carrot stretches. There's a few different exercises that target different muscle groups and can get your horses stretching all along his back and topline. Have a read up on it, and there are a few video's on youtube to make sure your doing it right as if not you can do more harm than good. Best to do it after exercise when the muscles are warmed up so maybe just do it after longlining up and down them hills!
 
i am strapping my 3yo i case he goes forward for stallion licensing this year, he needs to look more masculine but i refuse to lunge him in gadgets to get the look.

(if he's still weak looking this year we will do it next year instead)
 
I personally wouldn't strap a youngster - mine would never forgive me (he'd get confused and upset) but I guess it depends on the horse. Linseed can add weight so be careful if he's on the podgy side. Personally I'd just feed garlic in the summer months as there havent been flies about in ages!
 
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