Weight gain verses excercise.?

Question

Hey there. I bought 2 Arabian mares recently (about a month ago). They were neglected and underweight. The vet said they each need to gain 50 to 75 lbs.

I want them to be healthy and fit. I have started lunging them for about 10-15 minutes a day to work on commands and get the communication going. Not enough to work up a sweat (maybe just a little since we are in the Deep South) but enough to get them to start listening to me.

However, I do want them to start gaining muscle tone and build some as when they are ready to ride, they may be carrying about 230 lbs with rider and tack. This is safe according to my vet if they are fit and have good muscle tone. At top weight they will weigh about 800 lbs to 825 lbs each. Much research states that Arabians can carry 25 to 30% of their weight rather than the traditional 20% rule.

What other activities can we do to improve and build muscles that start easy and can be increased (without riding) while we work on adding weight?

Answer 1

to gain weight sorta quicker, use beet pulp. free choice hay preferably 24/7 if they won't eat until they colic. maybe some fattening oats. for exercise/ muscle, free lunge around pasture if large enough or in the arena/ round pen. if they are around, work them on a hill or through water. maybe a little jumping liek over a pole lying on the ground. or a few inches in height. lots of smaller circles like when handwalked or something. make them eat more calories than they burn.

Answer 2

Id give heavy work a rest. I owned an arabian for 6 yrs and got her neglected and unweight as well. Teach them more ground rules at this time. Like leading commands. Leave the hard work for after they gain their weight. Stress can create weight issues and if weight is a big issue you need a healthy properly weighted horse BEFORE you start work.

Answer 3

i wouldnt worry too much about getting muscle on them; oyu need to get them at a healthy weight with just feeding them before trying to build considerable muscle. but you should continue to lunge them, and do ALOT of groundwork with them to get that respect. an easy way to build arabs' butts (or really any horse) up is to back them up hills. just an easy, slow pace, and only about once a day at the most. its easy for them to do, doesnt burn a whole lot of fat, and builds muscle. good luck with them!!

Answer 4

I don't know if this is available to you or not, but a lot of race horse breeders will actually make their horses swim to build muscle tone. Swimming is great on horses tendons and joints as well. I knew a man around here that actually used to swim his horse in a pool in a slow-moving river. Not sure if you can do it, but it's an idea.

Answer 5

Yes, Arabians can carry more weight because of their short backs and dense bone.

If you have hills, lead them up and down them...you'll be in good shape too.  If their joints are sound, work in deeper sand can build them up, but check with the vet to okay it.

If they are trained to drive, pulling weight builds up the hindquarters...you can try using driving lines on them to see how they react..I've used a training surcingle with driving lines for this in the past, but you should get help if you've never tried it before.  You can lead them at the front, or drive them from behind...in an arena.