topline for a 2 year old

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foxeefilly1

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my 2 year old filly is filling out nicely however is seriously lacking topline, she is very laid back and doesnt do a lot of moving around when out in field so doesnt get a lot of exercise. I am going to start taking her out for walks along the lanes. she is fed chaff and mare and youngstock mix. obviously at her age i wont be lungeing her. has anyone got any ideas? im aiming to show her later this year.
 
I think that the OP is probably just looking for a little more muscle definiation rather than top line per-se. If she's aiming to show, the last thing she will want is a weedy neck. And having a little more on the 'top' will put the horse in better proportion.
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
ummm am I the only one that thinks that 'topline' for a 2 year old is a bad thing to aim for?
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as amymay said it is more for muscle definition, at the moment she has very poor topline but is quite plump, im not in it for a quick fix. she was quite poorly at the beginning of the year but has put all the weight back on but not a lot of muscle. especially along her back.
 
best thing you could possibly do is strapping. Walking out inhand is also very good especially up hill.Also hanging a bucket at a height where they have to arch her neck to eat is good as well as feeding from the floor
 
Feed everything from the ground. If you feed hay in the field put it in several piles rather than just one. AVOID haynets and mangers at all costs.

I have never had a problem with topline with my boy and maybe I was just lucky but I think the above helped.

Gentle walks out in hand are also good but don't go too far.
 
the reason she has poor topline is because she was very ill earlier in the year and lost a lot of weight, which i have slowly put back on her, her neck is ok its more along her spine and quarters. i obviously want her in the best of health, the vet agreed ysterday that infact she was now a bit porky but lacking condition. she is fed on the floor and is out 24/7 on good grazing. i def think the walks out will help, also a good year of filling out will help. she is very fine almost TB like.
 
With one of my youngsters I got him walking out in-hand and did 5mins of long lining twice a week. He lived out 24/7 and was fed from the ground.
 
If she's porky but lacking condition then she might have a bit of a grass belly. Also I know it sounds stupid but have you wormed recently? A bit of pink powder might help her gain a bit of condition without too much weight as well
 
mrogers- yes it is a grass belly, she has been wormed recently, also with panacur 5 day. pink powder doesnt agree with her, it gives her the squits unfortunately :(
 
EKW said:
With one of my youngsters I got him walking out in-hand and did 5mins of long lining twice a week. He lived out 24/7 and was fed from the ground.
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i will definately start exercising her now, was just waiting until she finally put enough weight on to withstand it. thanks for your suggestions
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
ummm am I the only one that thinks that 'topline' for a 2 year old is a bad thing to aim for?
Click to expand...

Definately agree, a baby horse doesn't have a great muscle definition they are spending time growing.

A little light lunging on a good surface in side reins will be the best way to build the top line. No more than 10mins a day in trot.

Also a good way to teach the youngster to accept the contact quietly. If not bitted yet then attach side reins to the side rings of the lunge cavesson.

Leading her oout in hand is an excellent way of building confidence and trust and introduces her to the big wide world.

The best way to improve top line on a youngster is strapping them well - 45mins daily
this is one of my 2yr olds in the show ring - many years ago. Note the muscle definition. She had light lunging in the indoor school 4 or 5 times a week maximum 10 mins in trot, plenty of walk and halts, plus daily strapping. Oh for the days when I was young, skinny and fit!
Pinzara001-1.jpg
 
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