Tbs and ribs?

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mrsk29

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Can still see ribs on my tb, he's been well fed all winter and in a nice big paddock, up to date with worming, he's a lovely shape but I can still see ribs! He's currently on calm and condition and chop, plus hay/grass.. Ridden 4-5 times a week building muscle nicely, but still ribby.. Any ideas? Is it just the way he is? He's had visible ribs since I got him in aug.
 
Ribs are not a problem most horses have them but they can be hard to find on some:D

If he is getting muscles in the right places, along his topline, his shoulders and backside it may be that he is either always going to look a little ribby or that they will be the last place to gain that extra condition.
A good shine on him and a happy horse that enjoys his work will tell you how well he really is.
 
he seems very happy, has a lovely shiny coat here is when i got him (the day I first met him...
377873_296430093724427_377389067_n.jpg

and now
Roux2-1.jpg

colinscamera035.jpg
 
He needs loads more topline but slightly visible ribs are fine.
This is my mare at racing fitness and you can still see hers:
1ba3bd1d.jpg
 
i agree i think weight wise hes fine my TB is roughly the same shape and weight as your although mine has slightly more topline and muscle, but you said you working on that so the rest will come...

i started a whole big thread with my ribby tb!! and most of the replies were that he looks fine :)
 
I don't think I've ever known a TB at a healthy weight where you couldn't see the ribs tbh. Especially in summer as they have no hair!
 
Thanks.. We are working on the topline, slowly but surely i can see a big difference from how he was, he was doing great but then had a few weeks off due to an abcess.. Hopefully we are back on track..
 
This is a bit (ok big) bugbear of mine. I also have a TB who no matter how fat/fit/lean he is never has what you would call a great rib covering....he is best when he is fit, when he is fat (for a TB) he has a big belly but his ribs are still visible and his topline disappears. It can almost vary from 1 day to the next or the way he is stood. IMO visible ribs on TBs is not the same as visible ribs on a cob type...they are just built to be lean! I think you will find once his topline improves and he muscles up the ribs will look more covered but will probably always be visible to a lesser or greater extent.
 
He looks slightly sway backed, which won't help his 'look'.

However, I'm not sure calm and condition suits every horse (any horse tbh), and I'd be inclined to change him on to a different conditioning feed. And think about feeding Alpha A Oil alongside anything you do feed.
 
redriverrock said:
This is a bit (ok big) bugbear of mine. I also have a TB who no matter how fat/fit/lean he is never has what you would call a great rib covering....he is best when he is fit, when he is fat (for a TB) he has a big belly but his ribs are still visible and his topline disappears. It can almost vary from 1 day to the next or the way he is stood. IMO visible ribs on TBs is not the same as visible ribs on a cob type...they are just built to be lean! I think you will find once his topline improves and he muscles up the ribs will look more covered but will probably always be visible to a lesser or greater extent.
Click to expand...

Agree with this ^ .. Also a bug bear of mine, it seems that unless in good work, any weight seems to go straight to a tbs belly! He looks fine, I think he will get more covering when more muscle develops. What feed does he have? My tb was on c&c, did nothing so switched to alpha a oil and baileys no.4 which is great combo for my previously ribby mare :)

Immy x
 
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