Older horse losing topline.... need ideas.

debsflo

debsflo

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Fully expected my 22 yr old warmblood to test positive for cushings but the results are normal. had bloods done to check liver and that too is fine,so bit at a loss. She has always looked very well but has lost some topline and muscle in the last year and with winter coming and obviously getting older i want to help her. She is a light hack and has haylage,turnout on decent pasture and only hifi light with joint supplements.doesnt need anything to fizz her up but to keep her looking and feeling well. any thoughts welcome please.
 
It could be worth a trial on Prascend - a friends horse had metabolic problems, his ACTH levels were really quite low but Prascend has resolved a lot of his problems. Her vet took a lot of persuading though, maybe discuss it with yours? If he won't prescribe it for you, a second best is chasteberry, the herbal remedy which you can get easily enough. It doesn't treat the underlying cause but it does suppress some of the symptoms.
 
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The addition of oil in some form would be beneficial, micronized linseed would help with condition without giving fizz, a feed such as veteran vitality may be suitable for the winter months to help keep weight on, topline really only comes with correct work and a good diet so it may be that you have eased off the exercise as she has got older and it is that that has caused the muscle to drop as much as anything else, it can be a difficult balancing act as they get older.
 
Thank you,will speak to vet and i can always retest her .will look at addition of oil and a veteran feed,she does light hacking and isnt thin but has lost her lovley roundness. Teeth are being done too so covering all bases.
 
JillA said:
It could be worth a trial on Prascend - a friends horse had metabolic problems, his ACTH levels were really quite low but Prascend has resolved a lot of his problems. Her vet took a lot of persuading though, maybe discuss it with yours? If he won't prescribe it for you, a second best is chasteberry, the herbal remedy which you can get easily enough. It doesn't treat the underlying cause but it does suppress some of the symptoms.
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Where do i get chasteberry from..
 
Older horses need more high quality protein as they age I would add micronised linseed and alfafa to the diet .
Straight lack of calories can cause horses to lose top line and some older horses need less calories as they age some have need more you have to work out what type you have.
Get the saddle fit checked if the horses shape has changed as this will just make things worse .
Pole work ( even in walk ) helps with this as does walking hill work .
 
Goldenstar said:
Get the saddle fit checked if the horses shape has changed as this will just make things worse .
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Second this. We changed the saddle on an aged pony this year, and I feel terrible that I didn't notice earlier that his increasingly sway back meant it just didn't fit anymore. The result is a happier pony, much improved top line and a rediscovered top gear!
 
Red bag grass nuts (higher protein level) from simple systems, fenugreek (helps maintain condition and muscle bulk) and green lipped mussels (excellent source amino acids). We have a 26yr old tb ex racer still in full work looking like a teenager on this.
 
Progressive Earth on ebay. It goes under the name of Agnus Castus.

Worked a treat on my boy with a borderline cushings result. He won't get his topline fully back though thanks to badly fitting saddles before I bought him - vet and saddlers opinions. But he does look a heck of a lot better than he did and he doesn't get the 'depression' any more that often accompanies cushings.
 
Equimins advance complete added to the feed. My oldies all have this and they look fab, the vets never believe how old they are. It's a very very good vit/min supplement without all the fillers. Very high spec
 
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