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sadowner

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I have a lovely mare on loan at the moment, she is an ID x TB and hasnt really been ridden for 10 months and needs muscling up, she has no topline. I have been advised to gradually get her fitter and def not to canter for a few weeks until stronger in the back. However as she is 11 someone else told me that it is strange for a horse to lose its topline and very hard to get back on a mare that is 11. Is this true? I just imagined any horse out of work would lose their muscles and could soon muscle up if worked properly. I would appreciate any comments.
 
I wouldn't worry too much about it...

My ISH is 11 and due to foal in less than a month. She has definitely lost some of her hard earned topline, so when she is back in work I will do lots and lots of long and low to gradually build it up.

Another good thing for topline is to have your horse eating its haylage from the floor rather than in a net. Hope this helps!
 
Maybe once she is back in more work you could put her on some topspec or blue chip? Careful there isnt too much "goodness" in it though! x
 
feeding when you get back to work is inportant Top Spec is a nutritional support and i would recomend it then feed the 'caloies ', I.e hard feed according to her work load. The rate at which her topline returns will depend on how much and how well it was developed previously and how you work her i find the Pessoa a very useful aids for this as she gets the chance to use her back without the rider .If you are not familiar with the use of one get some good advise as depending on your horse will have some bearing on how it should be fitted. I have recently had a similar problem horse that came to me for training his back and topline were a mess a year down the line he is not recognisable . Its very rewarding so i hope you get where you want
 
Lots and lots of hill work, working in an outline and long low work.
also feeding from the floor or feeding hay over a door help.
Lots of strapping as well.
Ive had a 24 yearold horse loose its topline and it took a year to get it back but it is possible. At 11 i realy wouldnt worry about it.
 
Horses will lose topline if they aren't worked. When you bring this one back into work work it correctly, feed it well, possibly with some blue chip in with the feed & gradually she will get topline back. It will take time but there is no reason why you can't build it back up.
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I took on a horse in August that had spent 18 months plodding in a field doing nothing, he is also an IDx.
With short sessions on the lunge (pessoa on 1st setting) hacking out with plenty of road work & hills and schooling sessions in mainly walk and trot his neck muscles have improved significantly, and his bum...well..its to die for! Theres still a slight dip behind his withers but hopefully that will build up too.

His feed is Spillers slow release nuts and basic chaff, then added sunflower oil and linseed to give him some more calories without the bulk. And as much hay as he wants.

W is coming up for 14 and is now getting his second childhood back. Dont give up on them just cos theyve had a break
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