Top line, losing condition.

[Louby]

Ive had to be careful all summer with my horses weight, he is on good grazing, comes in at night and has very good quality haylage and was fed Hi Fi with literally a handful of Pasture mix twice a day. He is a middlewieght and has always had what I call a peachy bum, more likely fat

. I changed his feed to Mollichaff Showshine and Ride and relax (which he doesnt like!) due to finding out hes allergic to Alfalfa and wheat. Ive not been able to find any wheat free feed apart from topspec coolcondition cubes but I didnt want anything conditioning and Allen and Page said the Wheat in Ride and Relax was a by product and minimal.
My problem is he seems to be losing his topline, his neck and back is really starting to lose condition as are his quarters although hes still got a belly on him and ample rib coverage. The grazing is still good although I appreciate it musnt be as rich now. He is ridden about 6 days a week combining hacking and schooling but he isnt worked hard.
Would you try the topspec feed buliding up to the correct amount he should recieve or what? Surely changing from Hifi to Mollichaff etc shouldnt make him lose condition like this. He usually stays pretty much the same all year round.
He could benefit from losing some weight but on his belly not his topline. He lunges long and low and does use his back but is a naturally laid back albeit spooky horse so doesnt put much effort in. I was thinking of using a chambon to try and help build this area up a little?

 

[AmyMay]

I think that you have to face the fact that when they loose weight they loose that very defined 'top' line that has previously been present.

But if you look at very fit horses they don't have a massive top line, but more a nicely shaped neck and bum, with muscle definition.

Any pics??

 

[smiles24]

I had the same problem with ride and relax so I changed to baileys number 4 conditioning cubes.

I'd try the top spec feed and see how he goes. If you find he puts on too much weight, you could always reduce the amount being feed and include a broad vitamin supplement to make sure he's getting everything he needs.

My old man has slightly less than the recommended amount so not to heat up, a vit supplement and lots of hacking out doing a good forward walk. seems to have done the trick for him

 

[Blizzard]

I feed topspec cool condition cubes, they shouldnt make him fat!

They are high in protein meaning that as long as he is getting the work, it should help with muscle build up and topline.

think of it as eating healthy food when working out, not eating loads of burgers to put on weight in the wrong places LOL!

I would also recomend feeding the topspec leisure time feedbalancer so youcan make sure he is getting everything he needs, as the topspec cubes dont contain any vits and minerals. which i really like as then you can up or reduce the amount of cubes he gets as required, without affecting his vit and mineral intake, as he will get that from the feed balancer.

 

[Louby]

Thanks, I havent got any recent pics but I will try to take some, never put a piccy on here before

Its daft really cos my last horse was Shire x TB and when she sadly died I said I wanted a lighter weight horse next time. I bought him as a gangly 4 yr old and he sort of grew and expanded! He is actually 5/8ths TB x ID x Shire but is more ID looking and very deep. Maybe this is the TB coming through and its how he should look!!!

 

[Louby]

Hi, I wanted to feed the Leisure time but it has wheat in it

. To be honest I dont think it would make a lot of difference as I havent seen any change in him since stopping the wheat and Alfalfa.
Im going to order the Coolcondition though. May give topspec a call and see just how much wheat is included.
Thanks everyone

 

[catza]

yes give them a call as i'm sure my friend said they have started putting alfalfa in the cool and condition cubes so may not be suitable if he is allergic?

 

[Louby]

Cant get through, typical!

 

[1alex1moose]

This is rather different to the other post responses but i have a very similar sounding shape horse on loan.
He is prone to getting tubby and apple-bummed but no top line. The reason is often that when he gets a bit fat in the middle his saddle gets too tight and his muscle wastes on his back / neck etc - he will work long and low on the lunge but not so "through" under saddle - he'll hold the shape but by using all the wrong muscles!
would recommend getting your saddle checked.

 

[wizzi901]

all my lot are on weight gain at the mo apart from the minis as its just a crappy time of year where I have to eek out my grazing so it lasts well into winter and next year......changing coats etc, they never look great around now....

 

[Louby]

Thanks, I did think of that and its a while since it was last done. He did balloon over the summer and my saddle started to move to the right, I think it had been pushed up a little so it was perching (bit exagerated) rather than fitting. He dropped weight and it was fine again but now hes lost further condition. I will get on to it and get it looked at. Saddlefitter is a nightmare to get out though as he is just so busy.
Thanks again.