PPID feed for good doer

[Bellalily]

A year on from diagnosis and he’s loads better in himself, but I think I need to tweak his feed as despite doing some work (enough to get us both hot and sweaty) three times a week, he’s not losing his grass belly. They are both on the same amount of forage as usual every summer as they’re producing the same number of droppings, and I’ve upped his friend’s feed as he’s 28 and I’m struggling to keep his weight on so I don’t have to increase their forage. Top line totally disappeared and looking pretty rubbish tbh. The 28 year old is looking better than him, but I don’t want to start the PPID on Topgain which is what the 28 year old has as I don’t want him fatter.
Suggestions. He does pole work once a week on the lunge, schooled and hacked out.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You sure it's grass belly and not just his posture?

You say his top line has gone so it could be his back has dropped through lack of muscle so it then makes the belly hang and look bigger, it's common thing to happen with cushings horses.

 

[Bellalily]

You sure it's grass belly and not just his posture?

You say his top line has gone so it could be his back has dropped through lack of muscle so it then makes the belly hang and look bigger, it's common thing to happen with cushings horses.

Not his posture, yes it’s top line that’s gone and refusing to return, despite best efforts. Exactly that, hanging belly . Any extra exercises or feed that will help? I’d use topgain but I’m not sure if he’ll just get fatter.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Not his posture, yes it’s top line that’s gone and refusing to return, despite best efforts. Exactly that, hanging belly . Any extra exercises or feed that will help? I’d use topgain but I’m not sure if he’ll just get fatter.

It sounds like a posture lack of belly muscle to me ,How is he when ridden is he using his back and working round ?

 

[Bellalily]

Yes, he carries himself well when being schooled, not so much lunging hence the poles and hacking out he’d just stretch out into his mega walk if I didn’t ask for an outline. Not entirely sure which one is better for his abs tbh, he walks incredibly fast, more than anyone else he’s been out with, ever.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Yes, he carries himself well when being schooled, not so much lunging hence the poles and hacking out he’d just stretch out into his mega walk if I didn’t ask for an outline. Not entirely sure which one is better for his abs tbh, he walks incredibly fast, more than anyone else he’s been out with, ever.

Without seeing him it's difficult to know but if his rushing along chances are his not using himself properly, carrot stretches can help as can thoracic sling stretches all on you tube and easy enough to do yourself.

I would also get a physio out they will give you stuff to do and it might be worth getting his saddle checked, the top line won't build if its uncomfortable.

 

[Bellalily]

Without seeing him it's difficult to know but if his rushing along chances are his not using himself properly, carrot stretches can help as can thoracic sling stretches all on you tube and easy enough to do yourself.

I would also get a physio out they will give you stuff to do and it might be worth getting his saddle checked, the top line won't build if its uncomfortable.

I’ve tried to load a pic, but I always get a message that the file is too big. That’s what I thought with the fast walk. I’ll have a look at YouTube, thank you.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I’ve tried to load a pic, but I always get a message that the file is too big. That’s what I thought with the fast walk. I’ll have a look at YouTube, thank you.

You have to re size pictures or I think you can download from Facebook ok.

 

[Birker2020]

You sure it's grass belly and not just his posture?

You say his top line has gone so it could be his back has dropped through lack of muscle so it then makes the belly hang and look bigger, it's common thing to happen with cushings horses.

This was like my last horse only he didn't have cushings. If they are not being worked they have no decent abdominal muscle, a bit like people.

 

[Bellalily]

You have to re size pictures or I think you can download from Facebook ok.

No idea how to resize hence the too large message. The most recent ones aren’t on Facebook. Not to worry.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

This was like my last horse only he didn't have cushings. If they are not being worked they have no decent abdominal muscle, a bit like people.

My Arabi sags in the middle if his not worked his 19 now though so the sagging gets us all in the end

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

No idea how to resize hence the too large message. The most recent ones aren’t on Facebook. Not to worry.

I do mine on photo compress you just download the app then shrink them

 

[Bellalily]

This was like my last horse only he didn't have cushings. If they are not being worked they have no decent abdominal muscle, a bit like people.

He’s getting the same work at tick over level that I’ve always done with him and he’s never looked this bad, so I assume it’s the PPID, hence the post. Just wondering if there’s any feed which would help, he’s not fat by any means, just the wrong shape and I know he needs protein, it’s a question of which one has anyone else used.

 

[Bellalily]

Thanks. It appears to have worked. This was yesterday, ignore dry lot, he does have a proper field too!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

His got a lack of muscle and the because the abdominal muscles have slacked off the belly hangs, nothing you feed will help really it's getting him to lift and use them properly it's a slow process.

I would definitely look at saddle fit he looks a bit hollow behind the shoulder under the wither, if that muscle has gone the saddle could be sitting in the dips causing more wastage and he will be hollowing his back away from it.

You may need some shims or a pad to replace what has gone until its built back up, but getting that muscle back requires alot of proper work and almost like a rehab programme so regular physio will help.

How old is he?

 

[Bellalily]

His got a lack of muscle and the because the abdominal muscles have slacked off the belly hangs, nothing you feed will help really it's getting him to lift and use them properly it's a slow process.

I would definitely look at saddle fit he looks a bit hollow behind the shoulder under the wither, if that muscle has gone the saddle could be sitting in the dips causing more wastage and he will be hollowing his back away from it.

You may need some shims or a pad to replace what has gone until its built back up, but getting that muscle back requires alot of proper work and almost like a rehab programme so regular physio will help.

How old is he?

He is very one sided now. The shoulder muscle on the side you can see needs building up again. Physio said there was nothing wrong with his shoulder and as he’s so obviously one sided I haven’t pursued it. His trot on left rein needs work as does his right canter lead, but he had the whole winter off from Oct to May, so I’m taking things easier still. He will be 22 in September.

 

[Bellalily]

Should add he also has arthritis in his off fore fetlock, and I’ve had to change his pain relief as he decided he didn’t like it anymore

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

His not gonna have the same top line at 22 especially if his got issues my 19 year old has multiple things going on so his body and way of going is a bit compromised, I do quite a bit of ground work and stretches with him and his only ridden lightly now unfortunately as they get older they just can't do or look the same

 

[GinaGeo]

Is he medicated for PPID? And if so have you retested recently to make sure the dosage is correct?

You quite often find Topline improves when the medication dose is correct.

If unmedicated then it doesn’t matter what you’re feeding or the work you’re doing unfortunately.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Is he medicated for PPID? And if so have you retested recently to make sure the dosage is correct?

You quite often find Topline improves when the medication dose is correct.

If unmedicated then it doesn’t matter what you’re feeding or the work you’re doing unfortunately.

Your right was actually thinking of this earlier, Louis changed shape and lost all his fat pads once on prascend so it pays to get the medication and get it right.

 

[Bellalily]

Is he medicated for PPID? And if so have you retested recently to make sure the dosage is correct?

You quite often find Topline improves when the medication dose is correct.

If unmedicated then it doesn’t matter what you’re feeding or the work you’re doing unfortunately.

Yes he is. Last test was March so we’re just over half way to the next test. I’d always medicate as I have chronic diseases myself and I know how rubbish I feel if my meds run out, so I’d never put him through it. By his attitude I’d say it’s still right, lovely willing and forward ride and always up for more work.

 

[Bellalily]

His not gonna have the same top line at 22 especially if his got issues my 19 year old has multiple things going on so his body and way of going is a bit compromised, I do quite a bit of ground work and stretches with him and his only ridden lightly now unfortunately as they get older they just can't do or look the same

Ha! Try telling him, or either of mine actually. Both are full of beans and bounce round rides. It must be lovely not knowing that you’re older. They were both doing endurance rides at 19/20. Only reduced work due to my own health and also the ridiculous hours we are working to pay for them now. Tonight was a fine example of how to grow old disgracefully

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Ha! Try telling him, or either of mine actually. Both are full of beans and bounce round rides. It must be lovely not knowing that you’re older. They were both doing endurance rides at 19/20. Only reduced work due to my own health and also the ridiculous hours we are working to pay for them now. Tonight was a fine example of how to grow old disgracefully

Bless them he looks really well I wouldn't worry too much if his happy being ridden, mine are 18 and 19 and still full of it they are Arab's though so they don't ever seem to grow up