Improving topline? Would you be concerned?

[southerncomfort]

I'm a bit concerned about Bo, my 8 year old Fell pony.

Grooming him the other day, I noticed that I can feel and (slightly!) see his spine, where I couldn't before. It's not dreadful but it's new so I'm worried.

He's not lost any weight. His weight is pretty spot on. He's fed Lite and Healthy chaff with a cup of Lo Cal balancer. Grass is restricted and his hay is soaked.

We have upped the workload this year, but it's still 75% hacking. We hack for up to 2 1/2 hours twice a week (with a decent amount of trotting), one shorter faster hack, and one session in the school (he hates schooling).

We also do some light schooling on our hacks. We have lessons and attend clinics, including polework clinics, and although I'm no great shakes as a rider, I do work hard on myself.

We live in a very hilly part of Yorkshire, so no shortage of hillwork!

Saddle was checked a couple of months ago, when he went down a gullet size. I'm going to ask the saddler to come back and have another look just in case anything has changed.

Physio comes every 6 months. She's not due until November but will probably ask her to come sooner in case anything is brewing.

I will say I feel he's lacking stamina and have wondered if his diet needs looking at.

Anything else jump out to people more knowledgeable than me?

Probably the other thing to say is that I'm one of life's worriers and highly self critical, so I'm beating myself up here that I've missed something somewhere!

 

[IrishMilo]

It's a bit hard to say without looking at any photos but I would say, given their engines are in the backend - I'd be inclined to check his hocks if you think he's not able to use himself correctly. I also think lunging is a great tool for seeing how they move and would look to incorporate one or two session a week with poles - even at the walk it is very beneficial.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You say he doesn't like schooling probably because it's harder than hacking which could indicate pain somewhere.

In my experience unless a horse has drastically lost weight you shouldn't be going down a gullet size, if your doing more work the muscle should improve so if anything it should be wider.

How is your saddle fitting ?

 

[southerncomfort]

Thanks IM. I'll try and get some decent photos.

Vet coming to do teeth so I'll tell the receptionist I'd like for him to have a look at him moving too.

I lack imagination with polework but just found a couple of good pages with exercise ideas.

 

[Hackback]

Similar happened with my horse and he turned out to have Cushings. Yours is very young, but mine was only 9 when he was diagnosed. Now 18 and still going strong on Prascend.

It's highly unlikely to be Cushings but I think we're approaching the season of free blood tests so if you're having the vet out for anything else it may be worth asking.

ETA the only symptoms my horse had were losing muscle and feeling a bit flat. The very first indication was that his saddle suddenly didn't fit.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Is he lacking in protein? Protein is essential for muscle development

 

[southerncomfort]

You say he doesn't like schooling probably because it's harder than hacking which could indicate pain somewhere.

In my experience unless a horse has drastically lost weight you shouldn't be going down a gullet size, if your doing more work the muscle should improve so if anything it should be wider.

How is your saddle fitting ?

He's always found the school boring, even before he was backed. He'd far rather be out exploring. Probably my fault as I find the school boring too!

The saddle shape etc is fine. Both saddle fitters I've used have said its a good choice for him. I've tried several different saddles over the years and he didn't like any of them except this one so we've kept coming back to it.

I'm struggling with it at the moment as he seems to be between gullet sizes which seems insane when their are only a few millimeters difference between them.

I went to a clinic last week and the instructor thought the saddle was too wide even though we only went down a size 2 months ago.

I duly went home and changed the gullet down again but he was really unhappy, stamping his foot etc, and it looked far too perched to me.

I've changed back again but put a thicker pad underneath and he's much happier. So I've asked my saddle fitter to come and have another look. Prior to the lesson I'd had no issues.

If he really has gone down another gullet in 2 months (and I'm dubious), then I'd be seriously concerned.

The only other thing to have changed is that the fitter added some flocking.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

What's the bit like either side of the wither where the front of the saddle sits you shouldn't have hollows there if you know what I mean.

 

[southerncomfort]

Oh my God, I am such an eejit!! Stand down everyone.

Just realised that his 'sudden loss of topline' coincided with me fully clipping him.

(This is what the menopause does to your brain ladies).

I am so embarrassed

 

[Bobthecob15]

I’m glad it’s not a health issue for the horse (though perhaps can’t say the same for the owner! )

That made me chuckle

 

[tda]

don't feel bad, and I'm pleased he looks so well, BUT I would not expect a maturing fell pony to ever go down a gullet size, but if that's what he likes, that's what he likes

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Oh my God, I am such an eejit!! Stand down everyone.

Just realised that his 'sudden loss of topline' coincided with me fully clipping him.

(This is what the menopause does to your brain ladies).

I am so embarrassed

I'd still be a little concerned if you can see his spine, as per your OP.
Its v rare for a Fell pony to have that sort of weight loss unless elderly or things going on.
When my mare was rattling fit (fit for a brisk 20 miler with interval training in between), she was v well muscled, a little like a greyhound underneath but never had her spine up. Def not in 'show condition' but never boney. She's now loving life as a field ornament.

Current one is at present redistributing her field flab, after just over 5 weeks with me is now up to an hour of medium work, she detests doing ballet dancing so I mostly do that whilst out hacking at present

I'm very envious of your hilly hacking!

 

[southerncomfort]

don't feel bad, and I'm pleased he looks so well, BUT I would not expect a maturing fell pony to ever go down a gullet size, but if that's what he likes, that's what he likes

That's what I thought too. Booking appts with saddle fitter and physio just to put my mind at rest!

 

[southerncomfort]

I'd still be a little concerned if you can see his spine, as per your OP.
Its v rare for a Fell pony to have that sort of weight loss unless elderly or things going on.
When my mare was rattling fit (fit for a brisk 20 miler with interval training in between), she was v well muscled, a little like a greyhound underneath but never had her spine up. Def not in 'show condition' but never boney. She's now loving life as a field ornament.

Current one is at present redistributing her field flab, after just over 5 weeks with me is now up to an hour of medium work, she detests doing ballet dancing so I mostly do that whilst out hacking at present

I'm very envious of your hilly hacking!

I'll take some pics today and pop them up.

He's not lost any weight at all and has remained pretty stable. The only thing that's changed is his workload really. Definitely can't see hips or anything like that.

Just to complicate matters, he's having this week off due to gales here and I can already see his belly expanding.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

I'll take some pics today and pop them up.

He's not lost any weight at all and has remained pretty stable. The only thing that's changed is his workload really. Definitely can't see hips or anything like that.

Just to complicate matters, he's having this week off due to gales here and I can already see his belly expanding.

Oops! Can you ride in the open at all?
My older mare was great fun in high winds,haven't tried the new one at it yet!

 

[southerncomfort]

Oops! Can you ride in the open at all?
My older mare was great fun in high winds,haven't tried the new one at it yet!

We ride in winds up to 30mph without any bother. Upwards of that and I start to worry about branches coming down.

 

[southerncomfort]

Sent pics of Bo in the saddle to my saddler. He called me back to reassure me that Bo doesn't look to have changed at all and the saddle absolutely does not look too wide. He was pretty stunned that the instructor had made me do the whole lesson bareback!

Anyway, I took some pics but they are pretty useless because

a. It was blowing an absolute gale and he wasn't keen on standing still, and

b. He thought I was putting him out in the field, and was not very happy with me when i tied him up and started taking photos.

You'll have to take my word for it that he is actually rather beautiful...

 

[tda]

I think he's looking pretty trim ☺