3 Key Tips for Building More Topline

Use it or lose it

You won’t build much muscle without exercise. More so, that muscle won’t end up where you want it unless the horse is using itself properly. You cannot underestimate the importance of appropriate schooling and work in developing the musculo-skeletal system.

Providing the raw materials to build muscle

Muscles are crammed full of protein, so it stands to reason that protein in the diet is essential for muscle development. Although whilst that is true it isn’t actually that simple!

Protein in muscle is actually made from a very different balance of amino acids than the protein in plants – this is not surprising as we don’t see many muscly plants do we?

The effect of this is that horses (all animals really) can only use about 60% of the protein they get from their feed – even if it contains high protein ingredients like alfalfa or legumes. The other 40% is burned as fuel, turned into urea and peed out. If that is into a stable, the bacteria in the bedding then convert it to ammonia and some horses end up with respiratory problems as a result.

The solution is quite simple – add the limiting amino acids that are inadequately supplied by the plants, this can be achieved easily enough. Some feeds add them and so do some supplements. Look particularly for Lysine and methionine on the label. You will need to do some arithmetic to work out if there is enough – or talk to the products manufacturer.

You may also choose to supply some animal sourced protein such as whey protein or casein. Whey protein is great for human bodybuilders but less appropriate for the sort of exercise programs our horses do.

Helping the muscles relax, recover and regenerate

Tense, sore and aching muscles won’t be able to grow effectively. Make sure that they can recover from work. We recommend two groups of nutrients.

• An appropriate antioxidant package to mop up the free radicals produced by exercise
• A chelated calcium supplement which seems to help the muscle fibers to relax properly following each contraction. So no tying up and no gait shortening
• All working horses benefit from provision of a broad spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement for overall body function and well-being

Suitable products include:

CoolCORE – Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, limiting amino acids and chelated calcium on a high protein base

MORE Muscle – Quality plant protein supplemented with limiting amino acids and some slow release dairy protein. Extra antioxidants to support higher workloads

WINNINGEDGE CORE – as per CoolCORE but with added joint and stamina support.