Struggling to build topline muscle

[CobsGalore]

I'm struggling to build my cobs topline and it's really getting me down.

He is starting to work in a consistent outline, we hack up and down hills every weekend and I lunge him in either a pessoa or over poles. I always get him marching along, never ambling, even if he isn't 'round'.

He was seen by a physio recently, has been checked by two different saddlers three times over the last 6 months and we have regular lessons too.

He has been back in proper work since February, and I haven't noticed a tiny bit of difference.

What am I doing wrong?

Any ideas, please help!

 

[AmyMay]

What are you feeding??

 

[CobsGalore]

Hi-fi lite, naf general supplement and small amount of linseed

 

[AmyMay]

You need to feed him appropriate to the work he's doing. Nothing you are feeding will help withmuscle development. You need to think about feeding protein in order to build muscle.

 

[CobsGalore]

What would you be feeding? Bearing in mind me is prone to weight gain

 

[AmyMay]

I'd start on hi fibre cubes and alpha a oil, and go from there, with perhaps a handful of build up cubes.

 

[CobsGalore]

He not me!

 

[AmyMay]

Can you post a picture??

 

[CobsGalore]

Thanks will look at changing his diet and will post a picture later.

 

[A Musing]

Sounds like the right kind of work, which would normally build muscle (if HHO is anything to go by!).

Agree perhaps a feed issue in terms of a muscle builder, which is likely to be protein based. Not sure if that is a good idea for a good doer though as I'm feeding mine a protein feed to build muscle and condition/weight gain.

Is he really working properly, using his back/hind? I know that I'm not always 100% about whether we're working properly and have regular lessons and my instructor schools mine, to make sure she is working properly over her back/hind.

I've been doing lots of hacking (in an outline), hills, pessoa and the supplement and have def seen an improvement over the last few months.

Not to freak you out, if this still doesnt work despite making some changes, then tbh I'd investigate health issues that might be impacting. My horse's muscle wastage was due to kissing spines.

 

[AmyMay]

I've always had good doers. Work them hard though, and you can feed them. Regardless of the time of year. Amy would often be on oats during the summer because we used to do a lot of sponsored rides. And if she needed more, then I'd add conditioning cubes.

 

[Spring Feather]

Feeds higher in amino acids, in particular lysine, are what you need to feed to promote topline.

 

[CobsGalore]

To be honest, I don't think he is working from behind 100% of the time but we are certainly working on it, but I would have thought I would have seen a difference by now.

Would adding Lysine to his feed help him build muscle but without adding condition?

Good idea about getting instructor to ride him every so often just to be sure he is using his behind though.

 

[Kikke]

Agree with most of what is mentioned already. I would go for some build up cubes in combInation with long and low trotting up hill, especially as you say he may not always be working correctly from behind. Long and low trotting up hill gives him on other option. I would do that 3-4 times a week with long hills if you can. That has always worked for mine. Good luck.

 

[meesha]

If he is a good doer the other option is to feed a balancer, I feed top spec lite (half measure as scroogy) but give feed lines a call, maybe top spec comprehensive or similar, contains the protein/amino acids for muscle building but you don't need to feed anything with it.

 

[Spring Feather]

Would adding Lysine to his feed help him build muscle but without adding condition?

I only feed balancers and you don't need to feed very much of them to get all the high quality protein and the amino acids into them. I feed my foals and my yearlings balancers and they have beautiful toplines even though they are obviously doing no work.

 

[Mongoose11]

I was thinking about posting exactly this OP so thank you. Mine is the same, I was looking at her on Sat and remarking how on Earth can she not be developing more of a top line. She is schooled by a pro once a week, hacked three times and asked to work for at least 50% of the time, jumped once a week and usually another flat work session.

I am desperately not wanting to feed her as it seems so counter intuitive as she still has some to lose....

 

[CobsGalore]

The funny thing is that I was feeding a lite balancer up until last month when I switched to the general supplement, and he looks so much better for it already. It was the baileys balancer, so perhaps I should try top spec instead.

Would a few handfuls of build up cubes provide enough protein without adding too much weight?

I will try adding a picture in a minute. Interesting you are having the same issue billie, do you have a picture?

 

[Mongoose11]

I took some at the weekend but only with tack on so no use. I have a useless miles away in the field pic. Will see if I can load it...

The unfortunate dark grass patch at the bottom of her stomach actually makes her look fatter than she is. Have no idea what else to do with her, she is worked 6 times a week, muzzled on the grass, soaked hay - one flake spread over the day while in.

Well actually, I know she needs to do some more faster work, that will help...

Cc welcome on the fatso from the crap picture. Be aware she is the love of my life and I will cry if you diss her thank you, please.

Sorry, if this now counts as a hijack OP. hopefully yours looks similar and the advice will help us both...?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If you had posted a thread,'What should I feed for topline?', you would have been inundated with people telling you that you can't feed for top-line, you need to work the horse correctly in order to develop the right muscles. Try pole-work and trotting up hills, slowly, making sure that you always ask him to work from behind, otherwise he will develop huge shoulders instead.

 

[CobsGalore]

If you had posted a thread,'What should I feed for topline?', you would have been inundated with people telling you that you can't feed for top-line, you need to work the horse correctly in order to develop the right muscles. Try pole-work and trotting up hills, slowly, making sure that you always ask him to work from behind, otherwise he will develop huge shoulders instead.

I know you can't feed for topline, that's why I didn't ask that question! Trotting up hills slowly is definitely something we can work on, he tends to rush when he finds it difficult to try and avoid any hard work

Anyway, here is a picture I took this evening. Please ignore the ridiculous face he is pulling, it's the only one I could get of him standing still!

 

[Mongoose11]

Sweet Jesus, he has been on one hell of a diet! bless his little cottons. Cute boy, I remember him with a punk rocker hog!

Hill work for him...and yes, he looks ready to feed for building.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I know you can't feed for topline, that's why I didn't ask that question!

I realise that you know this, I was amused at some of the responses, especially considering who posted them!

Actually ime, correct, slow, steady work builds up muscles better than fast work.

 

[Tobiano]

I am an ignoramus but he looks great to me... sorry!

 

[CobsGalore]

Yes that's the one Billie. He is as fit as a fiddle now.

It's difficult because I see him every day, but if you think he is ready for some build up feed then build up feed he shall have!

 

[Mongoose11]

I realise that you know this, I was amused at some of the responses, especially considering who posted them!




Actually ime, correct, slow, steady work builds up muscles better than fast work.

I meant in response to her being still too fat. I'm not a complete ignoramus that comment was directly under my comment made about the measures I am taking to bring her weight down. Fast work helps her shed weight.

 

[Mongoose11]

Yes that's the one. He is as fit as a fiddle now.

It's difficult because I see him every day, but if you think he is ready for some build up feed then build up feed he shall have!

Yes, I think he could definitely take a good protein feed combined with the work should, as others have said, work to good effect.

 

[hippo-horse]

If you want more muscle on his bum , see if you can get him turned out on a steep hill. It worked wonders on my mares un-toned back end

 

[CobsGalore]

Unfortunately our fields are all as flat as a pancake!

 

[AmyMay]

He looks fabulous. Change nothing