What's his condition like please

I'm more concerned about the saddle. As he hasn't any topline, and is at the age where his back has dropped, then it's really not fitting him. If you consider the curve of it, and how it's sitting on him, (sorry, I've just woken up, so not wording this at all well
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) then the riders weight is going to be bearing down on his back at an angle. I should think you will struggle to build topline on him if he can't work correctly. I'd get the saddle fitter out if I were you
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Hmm i agree its the lack of muscle so as others have said re. as much T/O, riding, lunging as you can manage but obviously you can only do what you have time for.... keep looking for a sharer as well
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Saddle fitter was out 16th Jan to fit him with a new saddle, and check his existing saddles. It probably looks wrong as had just tacked up and had pulled it quite far forwards.

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the saddle is sitting on the horses shoulder blades, even if you pulled his legs forward it woudl still be on his shoulder blades and would cause him discomfort.
Didnt the saddler show you how to put the saddle on properly?

It just dosnt look the right shape for your bone, the panels dont look wide enougth, meaning they are going to be digging into his weak back.
Im sorry but if my saddler fitted a saddle like that i would be looking else where.
 
I do admit I assumed it was his old saddle from when he was muscled up, I look at it and thought no way could I ride on that as the lowest point of the seat is set far back not the centre of the saddle because it is so high in front. Reminded me of a saddle fit that came with our loan arab I used to get a dreadful back in until we got it changed. I do think it is something that needs looking at.
 
ditto what KKenzo says - he doesnt necessarily look poor, just lacking in bloom and topline which is understanding based on his circumstances at the moment.

Does he get oil in his diet - I cant remember if you said he did or if nutrionist advised against etc - but maybe that would help.

I have a 13yr gelding who looks very similar condition to yours although he is out 24/7 and retired completely and I have started to feed him Falcons Omega Rice which has high oil content and it seems to be helping to add some weight and some bloom to him (I literally can not stuff any more haylage / food into him).

Come spring and a bit more turnout if you can and some good ole Dr Green I am sure he will just suddenly look a lot like his summer photo again.

This is such a horrible time of year for horses....
 
The saddler is a very good, reputable saddler. I was told that with a wintec it should be pulled forwards when first put on as they tend to sink back into place once the rider's weight is added. TBH I don't want a debate on the saddle - he has been seen in the flesh by a qulaified saddler, and pictures can be deceiving - yes it was probably my fault of putting it on in haste. The saddler is back this weekend with his new saddle so I will ask him to double check it. This was only a temporary measure anyway whilst his new saddle was altered.
 
Well I'd get a second opinion if I were you.

I'm afraid those wintecs *cannot* fit a horse with a dipped/dropped back.


ETS - sorry, cross posted, and I've just seen your post above, glad he is getting a new saddle
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My tb looked similar after a long period of box rest and also wsn't a big fan of long fibre(hay/haylage etc ) so he had a big tub trug full of readigrass,hi fibre nuts and good doer which he always ate even if he didn't finsih his net at night. Found even though it wsn't the highest energy combo it seemed to stimulate his appetite so gradually the hay consumption increase - he used to race so he wasn't used to having to consume the amount of hay he needed to. He also had a product called le brick which is a compressed brick of hay,cereals,alfalfa etc which he loved attacking every night
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You can feed them as a complete feed -of the top of my head I think a 16.2hh was meant to have 5 bricks a day but I used to feed two a day and again they were always gone by the morning
 
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