|
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
   
Location: North Dakota | Someone commented on a picture I posted that my horse is lacking a lot of muscle in his back. I'm just not really seeing it. Like maybe a little but it's the fullest it's ever been. His SDP's are not at all prominent, his back muscle is completely flush with them and he's WIDE. He does have a little bit of a dip behind the withers but not like atrophy really. My vet even noted that he has huge shoulders and just kind of a funky build there. I'll add a picture from last april and then my most recent one from december so you can see the comparison. Does he look like he needs a lot more muscle in his topline?
Edited by cavyrunsbarrels 2016-01-13 1:34 PM
 (10998005_920441227977662_1064856355530371551_n.jpg)
 (12313954_1023287221026395_7619571447052401424_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 10998005_920441227977662_1064856355530371551_n.jpg (67KB - 211 downloads)
12313954_1023287221026395_7619571447052401424_n.jpg (62KB - 175 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
  Neat Freak
Posts: 11216
Location: Wonderful Wyoming | He has a lot of rock to his back is what I am seeing. |
|
| |
|
 Off the Wall Wacky
Posts: 2981
Location: Louisiana | I can't really tell how filled out his top line is from that pic, but wowzers!! He doesn't look like the same horse! |
|
| |
|
Gettin Jiggy Wit It
Posts: 2734
| How old is he in he top pic? The two pics he dosent even look like the same horse! Id say he looks great in the bottom, most recent pic! No topline issues that I can see! |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | WetSaddleBlankets - 2016-01-13 1:48 PM
How old is he in he top pic? The two pics he dosent even look like the same horse! Id say he looks great in the bottom, most recent pic! No topline issues that I can see!
Those pics were taken 9 months apart. He was 7 in both. It's amazing what pulling him off processed feeds and supplements can do! That and more regular work are the only thing I changed. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | cavyrunsbarrels - 2016-01-13 2:19 PM
WetSaddleBlankets - 2016-01-13 1:48 PM
How old is he in he top pic? The two pics he dosent even look like the same horse! Id say he looks great in the bottom, most recent pic! No topline issues that I can see!
Those pics were taken 9 months apart. He was 7 in both. It's amazing what pulling him off processed feeds and supplements can do! That and more regular work are the only thing I changed.
He looks fine to me and I agree about the processed feeds. Took mine off in July 2015 and they all look so much better. My Vet agrees. |
|
| |
|
 It's not my fault I'm perfect
Posts: 13739
Location: Where the long tails flow, ND | He looks really good, the top pic he looks like a baby!
I didn't think my mares was bad until I changed her diet as well a few months ago, and now it has filled out a lot, and she is 12.
I would say there is always room for improvement, he may be built different but I bet you could get it built up even more 
|
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 812
Location: north mississippi | What are you feeding him now?
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 5293
| Every horse is different, just like every person. Unless there is a major malnourishment issue or something, some horses just don't have the same top lines as others. Nothing wrong with it. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 595
Location: North Dakota | What an improvement so far! I agree he looks great and whatever program you have going will continue to improve his muscling as much as his body will allow. I wouldn't dwell on the comment the person said and you are obviously doing a great job getting him in better shape.  |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | mscanchaser - 2016-01-13 2:30 PM What are you feeding him now?
Daily he gets 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 2.5lbs whole oats (I was feeding more but I've adjusted it a little bit recently), 1lb renew gold, a few handfuls soaked beet pulp, and a flax supplement. And of course a ton of grass hay. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 812
Location: north mississippi | cavyrunsbarrels - 2016-01-13 2:38 PM
mscanchaser - 2016-01-13 2:30 PM What are you feeding him now?
Daily he gets 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 2.5lbs whole oats (I was feeding more but I've adjusted it a little bit recently), 1lb renew gold, a few handfuls soaked beet pulp, and a flax supplement. And of course a ton of grass hay.
Thank you |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2013
Location: Piedmont, OK | I think of processed feeds for horses are like junk food for us. I feed alfalfa, oats and round bales of all the grass hay their hearts so desire. The barrel horses get some renew gold with their oats. |
|
| |
|
 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | he has gained weight and his coat looks much better .. cute boy , looks kind...... his tummy muscles and back just look weak maybe thats what the person was referring to .. maybe work on him using his back muscles and stomach more.. you can also run a hoofpick under his belly or your finger to get him to raise his back when you groom him helps a little to..little exercises.. for me hes a little upside down but thats just what I see..one of my cowbred gelding was like that I had to work him over his back and from hind to get it to change.. :) |
|
| |
|
 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | cavyrunsbarrels - 2016-01-13 12:38 PM mscanchaser - 2016-01-13 2:30 PM What are you feeding him now? Daily he gets 4lbs alfalfa pellets, 2.5lbs whole oats (I was feeding more but I've adjusted it a little bit recently), 1lb renew gold, a few handfuls soaked beet pulp, and a flax supplement. And of course a ton of grass hay.
Mine is on a similar diet....he beefed up big time as well. He's also got large shoulders and nothing behind the withers. I'd say he looks great. |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Bibliafarm - 2016-01-13 8:13 PM he has gained weight and his coat looks much better .. cute boy , looks kind...... his tummy muscles and back just look weak maybe thats what the person was referring to .. maybe work on him using his back muscles and stomach more.. you can also run a hoofpick under his belly or your finger to get him to raise his back when you groom him helps a little to..little exercises.. for me hes a little upside down but thats just what I see..one of my cowbred gelding was like that I had to work him over his back and from hind to get it to change.. :)
I can not get him to react to that hoofpick thing. He's got KS and was never taught to use his body properly and was allowed to travel in a hollow frame. He's finally starting to reach and lift his back a little so I think with time he'll get stronger with time. I've also been REALLY busy this winter so he's been getting ridden like 3 times a week vs 5 or 6 like normally. |
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | Here's him today. Not sure why exactly he looks downhill in this pic. When I was standing there taking it he didn't.
 (FB_IMG_1452752892353.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
FB_IMG_1452752892353.jpg (55KB - 161 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
| You are doing fine .. just keep feeding and regular riding and his muscles will form naturally ...
Don't go buying new saddles or saddle pads .... buy you some good quality bath hand towels to use
as shims if you think you need them on the dip at his withers .. just fold them to fit ..
Now watch this video ...
while you are watching video ...
note how much skirt Cervi's saddle has on it for even weight distribution
https://youtu.be/l4iVhzeegyk
Nice ... stout and stocky looking!! just like Stingray...
Edited by BARRELHORSE USA 2016-01-14 12:28 AM
|
|
| |
|
Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | BARRELHORSE USA - 2016-01-14 12:24 AM
You are doing fine .. just keep feeding and regular riding and his muscles will form naturally ...
Don't go buying new saddles or saddle pads .... buy you some good quality bath hand towels to use
as shims if you think you need them on the dip at his withers
Now watch this video ...
https://youtu.be/l4iVhzeegyk
Nice ... stout and stocky looking!!
You know, I actually borrowed an 8" Sherry Cervi tonight and rode in it. As he is now (he really doesn't have THAT much of a dip) it fits darn near perfect. My Meleta fits well too but I think it *might* be just a hair tighter in the shoulders.
 (FB_IMG_1452753202057.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1452753219393.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1452753196280.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
FB_IMG_1452753202057.jpg (69KB - 147 downloads)
FB_IMG_1452753219393.jpg (55KB - 161 downloads)
FB_IMG_1452753196280.jpg (53KB - 150 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | No not downhill....... never said downhill.lol I said upside down but didnt realize he had KS.. ALL I said was he looked weak along his back and stomach but alot of horses do and that may be what they were talking about.. it isnt a MUCH noticaable thing.. Id not worry about it truthfully.. winter time alot of them gt that way.. you asked and I just pointed out what I thought they were talking about .. |
|
| |
Folks on-line