Lack of muscle on a horse

[Birker2020]

Wonder if you can help me with a question I have.

Do all horses in any given situation that might cause a horse to lose muscle, all lose it at a similar rate. i.e a horse that hasn’t been ridden much for 6 months, would it look the same as another horse in exactly the same situation or are there other factors that would come into play. Or do all horses vary in their muscle tone?

Also if a horse is not carrying much muscle mass but the muscle mass is the same all over its body and there is no sign of any asymmetry anywhere would you say that lack of riding could be a valid reason for this? Or would it make you suspicious that a horse has an illness (chronic pain or melanoma or something similar) even though the horse is relatively young.

Sorry I'm not trying to be deliberately evasive. It's a bit sensitive that's all.
Please no wild guesses or provocative suggestions about why I'm asking.

 

[rabatsa]

A lot may depend on how fit and muscled the horse was to begin with. Youngsters who have never been ridden have some muscles. Ground conditions also play a part, flat or hilly, hard or boggy. It is a piece of string question.

 

[Birker2020]

It is a piece of string question.

Yes I thought it might well be. Thank you.

 

[Antw23uk]

To be honest its such an open ended subject with so many variables that you'd probably need to be more specific (I know you don't want to be) so people could better relate to what your asking and give examples

 

[Birker2020]

To be honest its such an open ended subject with so many variables that you'd probably need to be more specific (I know you don't want to be) so people could better relate to what your asking and give examples

would you mind it I sent you a PM please?

 

[milliepops]

A lot may depend on how fit and muscled the horse was to begin with. Youngsters who have never been ridden have some muscles. Ground conditions also play a part, flat or hilly, hard or boggy. It is a piece of string question.

yeah I would agree with this. I have 6 unridden horses, some look weedier than others, some look ready to hop on and go. also some get more muscle when in work than others anyway.

 

[Antw23uk]

would you mind it I sent you a PM please?

I dont know how much help i can be but yes, absolutely

 

[HelenBack]

I presume it's similar to people where some people are naturally muscley and others never put that much muscle on even if they train intensively?

 

[Birker2020]

I presume it's similar to people where some people are naturally muscley and others never put that much muscle on even if they train intensively?

Yes probably right. Or why some people can eat loads of rubbish and never put on a pound. I hate those people

 

[I'm Dun]

It would be screaming type 2 PSSM at me especially in the case of warmbloods etc that youve been looking at

 

[Birker2020]

It would be screaming type 2 PSSM at me especially in the case of warmbloods etc that youve been looking at

Good point. Thanks.

 

[Annagain]

My two oldies are retired, both 25 (Arch maybe a year or two older). Archie hasn't worked for 18 months, Mont for 6. Arch looks like you could put a saddle on him and ride him tomorrow, he's barely changed. Within a month, Monty had lost all his top line and looks so much older than Arch does.

 

[ycbm]

Happy to help if you want to PM me.
.

 

[ycbm]

I'd say that the lack of work could easily account for it but why has the horse not been in work is the $64k question.
.

 

[windand rain]

Muscle developement is dependant on
good quality work
living in 23/7
living out in a small pen with big bale hay
living out on hilly ground alone
living out on hilly ground with playful company
living on a track alone
living on a track with playful company
age young or old may be lacking in muscle

 

[Birker2020]

I'd say that the lack of work could easily account for it but why has the horse not been in work is the $64k question.
.

Ah thanks