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Maintaining topline in an aged horse

5K views 4 replies 5 participants last post by  maura 
#1 ·
I have a 21yr old QH gelding who is in excellent health. I still use him as my primary trail horse. Just this past month I have noticed his withers appear to be more prominent, as though he is starting to lose a bit of mass up top. His back along his spine still looks great.
He is on free choice hay, and gets 3/4 of a coffee can full of senior extruded feed once daily.
I was wondering if there was anything I could do pro-actively to help maintain his topline as he ages.
I board him, and generally am only able to get out 2x a week to see him.
Any tips or suggestions are much appreciated.
Thanks!
 
#2 ·
Just age. Work will build up the muscles but some older horses start loosing a lot of muscle mass starting with the topline. A lot of trotting and hill work. Make sure you have some good padding and your saddle fits good. Make sure you have his teeth checked for wear.
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#5 ·
Agree with the other posters - steady, correct work and a good diet is really the only way, and some loss of topline muscle is inevitable with age.

Riding 2X a week it's going to be hard to do - is there someway you can get someone else to work him a couple more times per week?
 
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