Question re; muscle and underweight horses

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PennywithHenry

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I have very little experience in rehabilitating an underweight horse, and rely greatly on my fantastic vet. I have no problem admitting this, despite being criticised heavily by many people....I don't see asking for advice as a weakness by any means, and regarding my lack of experience, providing I'm doing the best by Henry, and utilising various professionals, such as my vet, who visits weekly and advises accordingly I don't see a problem...anyway, I digress, that's another story
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I was talking to a lady in the feed place earlier, and she was telling me that skinny horses need some form of work to build up their muscles as well as their weight, or various other problems can occur. Henry is living in a paddock overnight (well rugged) with access to his stable as and when he wants, which he prefers. He spends half of the day in a good grass paddock, then goes back into the night paddock with ad lib haylage (which he's now tucking into like there's no tomorrow
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)He's walked out in hand on various routes daily for between 20-30 minutes as he seems to enjoy it.

Now I've been told I should do a little lunging with him daily to 'bulk him up'.....I personally thought weight gain was the most important factor, but then, like I said, I'm by no means an expert....my vet hasn't mentioned anything like this, but then I've also never asked, the thought never crossed my mind.

This lady has seen him, and I have to agree with her comments that he has a very scrawny neck and bum, but after being cold and starved all winter I wouldn't expect anything else....

She then went on to tell me horror stories re; muscle wastage etc which absolutely horrified me....

So, anyone with experience of this, please let me know your views, and should I maybe get him looked at?

Many thanks, Penny

Ps henry's doing very well if anyone is interested, though my husband isn't after I spent the afternoon feed and bedding shopping. Then bought him a new rug. Then a new leadrope. Then 2 haynets as they matched his new rug and headcollar, despite me not even using nets.....I think he was bordering a nervous breakdown when I went online and ordered a bridle...

I have promised to hold off buying the saddle until he's well and I know he's rideable lol.....But then we will need it fitting....I'd forgotten horsey shopping is more satisfying than clothes shopping
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hi ,
in answer to your question , it depends how debilitated the horse has become , if he is generally well , not emaciated but thin then light hacking would help him build muscle , the problem is that he needs most of his feed to build condition . if hes very thin bordering emaciation then a few months on good grass with feeding is all i would do as he would be seriously lacking in energy for work , also regards saddle fitting , i think you are wise to wait to fit a saddle to him as he gains weight his shape will change and hubby will have a fit if you need another saddle in 6 months time
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I agree with Maggiehorse. If he isn't too emaciated then light hacking would be best. If you're trying to build him up you don't want to be burning up all his calories. Lunging is hard work for a totally unfit horse, gentle hacking would be better.
Good luck with Henry. Asking for advice is a strength, not a weakness. You say you are inexperienced but you want the best for your horse and seem to be doing all the right things so don't worry. You sound a lovely horse owner and Henry is lucky to have found you.
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A little hacking if he is up to it is a good idea (like the others suggested) but you should be looking at 10 mins max to start with and building up slowly.
Hacking is a better idea than lunging or schooling as his muscles and tendons etc won't be strong enough yet to cope with that!
Make sure the energy content of his diet goes up a little too, I think I pm'd you a while ago about his feed (??)
 
Agree with others regarding hacking. Very light walking work only. I would never, ever lunge the horse you describe.

The fact that the horse is free to move around at will means that his body will regain muscle mass as he naturally puts on weight. If the horse were confined then it would be a different matter.

My prioritiy would be get the weight back on - and then think about work.

It would be interesting to chat to somewhere like the ILPH to see how they go about rehabillitating malnourished horses.
 
Thankyou everyone re; the advice. Jencash, you did PM me thanks, I think I PM'd you back?

I'm going to stick to his daily walks in hand which we've built up to 20 minutes, and look into something else a few weeks down the line. I just wanted conformation that nothing awful was going to happen if I didn't. I'm also going to call and book an appointment with an equine physio and see what he/she suggests....

I've also been speaking to someone else experienced with rehabilitating the underweight horse and am thinking maybe beginning long reining out a couple of times a week for 10 minutes or so in place of his walk, with hubby, so that he is used to it when we do get to the point of starting light work.
 
longreining seems a grand idea , will keep you both fit, just watch for downhill muddy slopes lol my youngster could walk down them fine , i was doing a form of watersking on longreins
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