topline balancer, horse lacking "something"

[DMK]

I struggle with the same issues. I have a moderately easy keeping fjord (he’s an easy keeper by any standard other than the fjord standard ) so he wears a grazing muzzle on pasture, has access to a lower calorie grass hay in the dry lot during the day and gets a ration balancer.

But this does not really meet the demands of our sport (CDE during the winter, dressage and trail riding in the summer) so I supplement his ration balancer with Vit E/Se, Tri-Amino and MSM. I also add Guinness and One AC because fjords run very hot (I joke he can get up to 103 just walking to the grooming area… and I’m only mostly joking). He is not a non-sweater, but I’ve found the Guinness and One AC really make a difference in his temp recovery times. They also have access to a salt block but when he works hard in the summer (or any serious fitness work year 'round), I use Horse Quencher with added electrolytes immediately after a hard work, and he drinks that up and licks the bucket.

And even with all that, I had to provide additional protein in the winter when pasture was for decorative purposes only. I found some mini cubes at TSC, Forage Essentials, I think. Anyway, either T&A or just alfalfa, plus they are completely balanced to be a complete ration, so I added that to the mix. Now that we have good pasture I split a half scoop of cubes (and soak overnight) between him and the retiree, add some oil and electrolytes just to give them the second meal when locked in the dry lot.

Seriously, as a lifetime owner of hard keepers, I never fully appreciated the challenges of keeping an easy keeper in correct weight while also in correct nutritional balance. OK for the retiree it is not a challenge at all, but one in work? Yeesh. I’ve never fed so many supplements, it’s more powder than pellets… That might be 50% of the reason he gets the beer, to soak up all the powder. But, he also gets more beer than pellets LOL

[JB]

Yeah, those “easy keepers” are some of the hardest ones to manage!

[jonem004]

A nice top line is the result of correct muscling from correct training. Unless the horse is overall thin and wasting muscle because of that, it’s not something feeding is going to correct. If the rider isn’t skilled enough to get the horse round and working over his top line then lunging in sidereins twice a week or for a couple of minutes at the beginning of a ride can help develop those muscles. Or some regular rides rides with someone more advanced. Or the kid can get some dressage lessons and learn how to get the horse together. But I don’t think you’ll fill in a top line on an older horse with food.

[firefoot]

@jonem004

A nice top line is the result of correct muscling from correct training. Unless the horse is overall thin and wasting muscle because of that, it’s not something feeding is going to correct. If the rider isn’t skilled enough to get the horse round and working over his top line then lunging in sidereins twice a week or for a couple of minutes at the beginning of a ride can help develop those muscles. Or some regular rides rides with someone more advanced. Or the kid can get some dressage lessons and learn how to get the horse together. But I don’t think you’ll fill in a top line on an older horse with food.

The two things work together. Getting the horse to use itself correctly and frequently enough will help, but without adequate protein, the topline will never realize its full potential. Horses can’t make the essential amino acids, which are the building blocks for muscle, so they must be provided in the diet. If they aren’t there, the muscle is lacking. And as the horse is in more work, it requires more amino acids. So, work + proper diet = optimal topline. But it definitely starts with proper diet.

[Tigre_Horse]

Oh boy, work + proper diet = optimal topline is right. But, oh so tricky. My trainer and I have been struggling forever trying to find the right formula for my guy - we’ve had the work part right - everything, but his topline, looks great.

The vet was out for another matter and suggested I try 2 lbs a day of Empower Topline and while it helped, we really weren’t seeing the kind of results we wanted after four-five months.

New feed rep was out at the barn and suggested Progressive ProAdd Ultimate Supplement. I’ve been using it 30 days and boy what a difference already. After another 30 days we should be able to drop down to maintenance levels. And while it isn’t cheap, I have been able to eliminate the other supplements I give.

[stb]

I made a significant different in my 19 year old QH’s topline by changing his diet. His exercise level is the same - only the diet changed. He was previously on a vit/min supplement, a bit of beet pulp, and Timothy pellets. I feed Coastal Bermuda hay predominantly with about 1/3 of total hay diet supplemented with Timothy hay. His topline was poor and he just didn’t look “bloomy”.

I changed him to 1 pound of Seminole Equalizer daily (ration balancer) and 3 lbs of Seminole Dynasport. He also gets Omega Horseshine. The difference in him is amazing. He looks years younger and his topline is great.

[goodmorning]

Yes, progressive pro add is great stuff. I would recommend that.

[mdp9]

Great info everybody, thanks! I am going to weigh my feed - I use a quart scoop - to get a better measure for ALL my horses.

Also definitely going to consult the vet and/or feed rep about adding the right kind of balancer in.

[Mouse_amp_Bay]

I had a friend whose horse sustained a ligament injury. They started feeding chia seeds for the additional collagen to help the ligament heal. Wow did the horse ever bloom with a 1/2 cup of chia seeds per day. His toppling developed and he actually gleamed despite not being worked and being on minimal turn out. I am now a convert and will be adding same to my hard keepers diet.

[twinmommy]

I agree, it sounds like he needs more high-quality protein (amino acids) in his diet, and probably some additional Vit E/Selenium and vit/mins. Mad Barn has an amazing supplement called AminoTrace+ which might be exactly what this guy needs. It was recommended to a friend of mine by a vet for her horse that wasn’t building muscle despite being worked correctly and consistently.

https://www.madbarn.com/us/product/aminotrace-pellet/

You might also consider a pre- and pro-biotic, even for a limited time. Improve feed digestibility.