Re Building up hind quarters post...

[miamibear]

Just a quick question on the back of this post.

What feed is required for the build up of muscle? I want my horse to get stronger i know it takes time. He is fat and only fed topspec balancer, happy hoof and speedibeet every now and again - only one feed a day.

He has grass and good quality hay(ad lib) in the field and (ad lib)hay when he comes in. He is out full time rugged when necessary.

I dont need any more feed for weight but is this enough feed to build muscle?

P.s He looks 100 times better now than when he came and he has been on the balancer since day 1!

 

[Caritas]

You must feed the recommended dose of topspec daily, lunging in a pessoa will help build up topline and muscle up the hindquaters along with hill work under saddle. I would stop the speedibeet and put a low callorie chaff and a few nuts with the balancer to make it more palletable. Good luck.

 

[chestnut cob]

I agree, Speedibeet can put weight on so I wouldn't feed that.

Also if he needs to lose weight then I would feed soaked hay (unless you are already?).

Muscle will build up with the right work, so as suggested working in a pessoa or similar. As he learns to use himself properly he will build up the correct muscles. Also lots of grid work, trotting up hill etc. The fitter he gets the quicker he will lose weight and build muscle.