BUILDING A TOP LINE

This is just some stuff I've personally done and what has worked for me. If you do something differently, that's great for you. There are lots of different ways to build muscle. Always make sure you're being safe and I highly recommend working alongside professionals.
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[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Pinning this because apparently people can't actually watch the video and listen to the fact that this is for GREEN horses and I in no way claim that my horse is perfectly muscled or is going around perfectly. Milo hasn't been in a full program until this year. He is green. Like all young horses, he's still finishing growing and filling out. He just grew another inch and as a result his body changes. This happens. He's still learning how to go around correctly and is also getting over some stiffness from a wipeout in the field. I have never and will never claim that he's the epitome of amazing top line muscle. He needs more. I really want to muscle up his neck and back much more but that takes time! I can't expect him to go around in a perfect frame the entirety of our ride when he's not ready to do so. These exercises are what helped me get him from having no muscle to this. They do work. Y'all need to remember that he was starved and was looking like a yearling when we got him and had so little muscle at 3 that he developed a locking stifle issue. This shouldn't even need to be an explanation but apparently people can't help themselves with being negative. He is a work in progress and is behind the learning curve due to how much I had to make up for his poor start and the fact that he's had every winter off and hasn't been asked to do much until very recently. He is NOT perfect. He is still green and a work in progress. Please don't try to act like I'm saying he is but if you're going to deny his improvement from where he started from then you're lying to yourself.

[@evitare8714]

Shelby Dennis I'm sorry that you put out informational videos and people attack you. That's just wrong. Sending positive vibes and support. This video was lovely and informative, you don't need to explain yourself. You show a horse before, and after, and explain what you did to change the muscling. End of explanation needed. If they aren't interested they can piss off.

[@katiemcintrye3579]

You have done amazing with milo and how far you have come with him is amazing. My horse is also a rescue horse and when I got him, although he is much older then milo and wasn't as underdeveloped as milo, he needed a lot of basic mucsle mass to come back before real muscle was even a question. After owning my 11 year old rescue for almost a year, I'm only now starting to see his hind end build and his back fill in. His neck is scrawny as hell but every horse and every rider have a weaker point and harder part to build. This is a great video and I don't know how many times through out it you mentioned that you would like to see different changes in both horses or that neither of them were perfectly mucsled 🙄🙃

[@rangerthompsonmusic472]

Great advice! I appreciate that you mentioned a proper diet, since that isn't the first thing that comes to mind when people think about building a top line.

[@ThereseMoser]

Pretty boy Milo!

[@fshowjumping1827]

Therese Moser true very true

[@kalikalad8954]

Wow. I think this is an absolutely amazing video--nutrition, conditioning, tack; everything matters! So sad this doesn't have more views. This is exactly how I start and train my horses. Such good advice. Thank you, Shelby, you would be amazed at how many people don't know the simple truth you are trying to put forth. On the behalf of horses everywhere, thank you!

[@hyunjini7586]

you have no idea how helpful this is! Thank you so much:) I love when you make these types of videos

[@doubletrouble902]

You are an amazing person for rescuing that horse and turning him into a beautiful strong animal. :D

[@lucy-ix4xq]

Thank you so much for this! I just bought a horse who has no muscle (or fat) whatsoever, so I'll use this as a guide on how to get her muscles back!

[@kimdavis4513]

I’ve watched a lot of videos on this topic. Thanks for the helpful tips!

[@meganhudson9424]

This is just what I was looking for ! So helpful ❤️

[@cattleyandco2222]

This is a great video, very helpful thank you Shelby!

[@krceventing1680]

This is so helpful thank you Shelby!! Because I just got my first horse, she's 14 and an OTTB, I'm deciding between the name Jade or Mocha. Her race/show name is Wang Dang Swedle since she's had that name ever since she was a foal. I will definitely look forward to this video for her health. Thank you Shelby 🐎💜

[@cookiemonster1351]

Omg I really love the name Mocha because it is super sweet and cute, but Jade is super pretty! Good luck with your new horsey!!!! 🐴❤️

[@yellowing3584]

I also have a ottb his name is Harry racename was justwontwomany. He is 14 and used to do 1* showjumping and dressage. But he’s jsut been rotting away in a paddock because he was sold to a unfit person. Then he came to us sight unseen and was perfect form the begging

[@maddyrose3044]

I just got my two new project horses today and one of one is just so small I'm going to use some of the exercises thank u!!!

[@equestriantrash9770]

This is such great advice ! My pony is pretty green and need to build her top line and this is what I exactly needed thank you so much 🙏

[@IvyMPDressage]

Loved this video, super interesting! Definitely will try this with Pi - he needs to gain muscle and topline. There are lots of hills at my boarding place so that's good!

[@michellecoburn5137]

Not sure where you live but I’ve never seen anyone recommend giving horses iron. Most horses are getting toxic loads of iron in water sources and Unidentified ingredients in commercial feeds. Also balancing copper/zinc is important if you feed iron. Might want to research that. Otherwise nice video!

[@b.wild_and_free8206]

Fantastic information! I loved how you touched on it’s not just the exercises you do, but also a good diet, properly fitting tack, and a good seat. All of which are important in making your horse comfortable. Another channel I’d recommend is Art2Ride, Will Faerber has many excellent videos on building a topline and starting young/green horses. Keep up the good work Shelby 💕

[@haplesstoad]

Oh my gosh this video is exactly what I'm looking for (recently rescued a mostly-green horse; needs to build more muscle). That, and you are AMAZING for going to such feed and supplement lengths for them!!! This is an excellent reference video -thanks!

[@yellowrose9355]

Thank you for this very informative video. A wise person would review it from time to time. Our lives are so busy. You really covered topics such as feed, & exercises that would benefit the horse.

[@luizafonseca_]

Amazing video with awesome tips! Love love love love it ❤️

[@katiewashington7338]

You are literally my OTTB, Guardian, angel. I’m learning so much it’s so helpful. I know that my Maverick is grateful as well.

[@ingridblignaut5028]

Thank you very much! I've been trying to find more information on building a top line, but i couldn't find any actually helpful ones. Thank you again.

[@serenjames6487]

Two years later and this video just unblocked a path in my riding knowledge. Thanks so much 🤩

[@JezditelkaEvaHorlick]

Very nice video. Love your description

[@averyvonniessen6280]

I know exactly how much money and effort went into creating a nutrition plan for your horses 😂. I have a lot of respect for the care you put into their diet, that's awesome! More people should do that, but I know its super expensive and time consuming. My miniatures are show horses, and they get a pretty specific diet too. Once you figure out what works, the difference in how they look, feel, and move is incredible. It all starts with their diet, which is the most important part

[@haplesstoad]

Agreed!!

[@bigbang4ever98]

Super helpful. My horse is pretty good with everything bc she's pretty experienced (still has her quirks though), but I'm looking into getting project horses so this is great (:

[@ashleighdevaney]

Hell yes I needed this!

[@KaregoAt]

Very nice and useful! Gotta try the after workout stretches!

[@cavviettacattleco]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!!

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Thanks for watching!

[@vandanzl]

great video! short and to the point ❤🐴

[@sparko0snakes966]

EVERTHING IS GORGEOUS

[@heaven-leighwillman7449]

That's a lot of really smart things for my horse sassy to get back in shape!!

[@chesnoodle]

This is so so so helpful!

[@suemcfarlane4199]

Hill work is a great easy method of developing top line they will naturally put themselves into a good outline when climbing up a incline but care needs to be taken if going down hill as your horse are more prone to overreach and or slip if thecgoingbis wet

[@ruthnorman1922]

sue mcfarlane does that work without a rider? Like pastures with hills?

[@stephanglim7192]

This is a super helpful video Shelby!!

[@avasylvia7626]

thanks this video helped me so much !!

[@veritasreigns]

Looking better every year. I can't get over what a beautiful boy he is.

[@billy4664]

Fantastic video Shelbs! 💞

[@nikkihitchcock7020]

this was super helpful! Thank you

[@bellakromrey1485]

This video is so helpful tysm

[@makeyourself9110]

Great video! Thank you.

[@SadCarBitch]

Thank you SO much!

[@airyonajenkins8205]

Great tips...love u soo much

[@nataliewilliams587]

this is so helpful

[@Peacetoself]

This horse eats better than most humans

[@sweetscoto5849]

So informative. Very clesr

[@madisonpure4090]

my horse is very reactive and would always be super tense under saddle because he was never rightful trained. Ive worked with him for months on just getting him to stretch and relax under saddle and even bareback with a pad. I want to make sure my horse is happy during his rides so we cana dvance our bond snd training in a good way!

[@melindadesmidt4263]

Thank you for your video, very sweet horse. You may also like to watch - Developing Your Horse's Back: the Biomechanics of Engagement 1 & 2. Number 2 especially goes into exercises to develop a good back.

[@daniel_moretti]

You want to be careful giving a horse iron, FWIU. We tested some of our horses and they had elevated iron levels in their blood. Our vet said that it is very rare for horses to be low in iron. And that if a horse is anemic, it's usually due to deficiencies in copper and zinc, not iron. Excess iron can accumulate in the liver and prevent it from functioning to its full ability. Just thought I'd share what we learned on this topic.

[@Mickey27_]

I’m getting a new horse soon and he was rescued by our vet from a ‘dude ranch’ he’s finally back up to a normal weight, but definitely needs to build up some muscle. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@hannahlanai]

Clearly these worked out well, since Milo's topline is looking fantastic in current videos :]

[@armoredwings4182]

My horse will hate all of this, lmao! I'll give it a careful go though! Thank you!

[@fatboykissing]

Armored Wings Good luck lol

[@Lupita-eu2xu]

Would this work without riding like free lunging and changing consistently?

[@leyrejimenezoyarzun6637]

Milo looks so much like my TB mare. Hahah it made me miss her a lot.

[@norahbannon9204]

So i’m thinking about adopting a rescue horse. Could you make a video on tips and tricks for developing a young, green horse into a miracle like Milo? I love you guys!

[@sasspants2522]

What are some things you like to do with horses cleared for work, by a vet, coming back from a bowed tendon?

[@nr.eventer904]

Hey, my horse has a dipped back- do you think this will go up as I start improving muscle? He has a really BAD topline as I just got him

[@GurpreetSingh-jo2vv]

These exercise can be done on Longing?

[@jessbailey7416]

How much flax, biotin & sunflower seeds do you feed? I want to start my horses on those

[@nikasbigsecret91]

How many days a week did work him when trying to build his top line?

[@graceconnolly5765]

Is it possible to have a horse put their heads down as if they were going long and low but not raise their back? My horse has a really weak top line and I’ve been encouraging long and low but it looks like there is little to no raising in his back. Is this normal or is there something im doing wrong? He is very new to this and he has to re discover how to use himself since he is a rescue

[@katharineforsyth1870]

Don't feed extra Omega 6s!!! Horses actually almost always have a very unbalanced ratio of Omega 6s to Omega 3s. You should always supplement Omega 3s and never Omega 6s.

[@sunshinebuchanan2772]

My green horse is a really hard time picking up the right lead and anything I’ve tried it’s not helping I’ve tried other riders I tried lunging in a bidding rig I tried drawings I tried neck extenders I even tried to see if maybe starting western would work better for him but he just doesn’t seem to understand the right lead he’s a very sweet and confident horse

[@livewithmanon6443]

My horse is 20, his back is getting weaker because of age. Is this also good

[@baylibatchelor6032]

stunning neck on your horse

[@michaeldaniel0077]

Plz make a video on "how to grow horse taller " or how to increase its height

[@singularity613]

that's physically impossible. The closest you can get is a gelding will sometimes grow taller than he may have if he was kept a stallion, but the difference is only by a few inches at most. Once a horse is done growing, that's it.

[@annikaheydl7342]

How do you teach your horse to stretch their neck while riding? This is super useful. I have a horse that is slightly hollow on the top of his neck and has a quite jumpy gallop and I feel like both of these will be improved with building a topline. I follow you on insta and I’ll check your channel for beginner-friendly R+ tips :)

[@Gulia116]

If you’re still interested I’ve seen people make videos on how to do this 😊

[@annikaheydl7342]

@@Gulia116 can you link me some? I haven’t found any

[@lightning07-11]

I love milo

[@katiemcintrye3579]

those last stretches are great except my horse seems to be immune to them. The cat stretch one I have tried so many time but he will not do a thing except maybe look back at me like I'm an idiot. Even the body worker who has horses on the same property I have him on can't get him to do it. Same with the tummy tucks. The only ones he will do are the carrot stretches, but he has to be backed into a corner or he just spins around to follow it hahaha What would you recommend doing if when I ask for a walk to trot transition, almost all the time he will 'jump' into it. He doesn't rush, or at least not like a mortal horse would rush, he literally jumps up with his front legs a little before trotting, but his trot to canter is fine, just walk to trot?

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Katie McIntrye If he won't do those ones, the one through the legs (kinda looks like a bow) helps stretch the back in a similar manner

[@ashleighdevaney]

Katie McIntrye if he just keeps spinning around for the carrot stretches then keep the carrot near his hips and walk the spin with him and when he stops spinning then immediately give him the carrot. Keep repeating until he gets the treat without spinning at all. He shouldn't have to been in a corner to do it he should be able to do it anywhere

[@katiemcintrye3579]

Ashleigh Devaney I'll try that. Once his in the corner he doesn't even try to move, but it's like with out the wall as a guide he doesn't understand. I'm sure he does his just a brat 😂

[@ashleighdevaney]

Katie McIntrye I think he doesn't understand, set him up for success, he will understand when he only gets the carrot when he stands still

[@Emmerss94]

What I do personally, is use a hoof pick to help with the cat stretch and tummy lifting. Obviously I don't jab my horse with the hoof pick. I just run it down his bum or belly

[@bethpeer8858]

Where did you get biotin in bulk like that?

[@katharineforsyth1870]

Order it online.

[@theweirdosquad6261]

INTERNET TRAINER: If your horse is not shiny there unhealthy and diabetic! ME:Can horses even get diabetes? LOL

[@rachelcollins6305]

How different is building a top line in a non green horse vs a green horse?

[@krissieequestrian1563]

Rachel Collins a non green horse should know how to do all these

[@rachelcollins6305]

Krissie Marie Oh, ok thanks!

[@poniesatemypencils]

For horses to engage their backs to be more rounded - I've been reading that arabians, because of their conformation and how horizontal their croup is, it is harder for them to lift their back. My arabian, he isn't one of those halter type show arabs, as well as being not completely full arab, most arab, but not all. He is only 3 though, and by the looks of it he doesn't have a horizontal croup. But I just have to ask, would I still be able to train him to engage his back and have a round frame?

[@callysto_ii]

You can train any and every horse to carry themselves properly, (depending on the age and health of course) it just takes time, good riding and exercises that are adapted to your horse, and respect what he's capable of at any given time. The issue with (most) arabians is that they carry their heads really high, which can make it hard form them to lift their back properly. Do keep in mind a 3 year old horse is still a baby, he has not finished growing and his conformation could change over the next few years. Most importantly take advice from professionals whom you trust around you, who can actually see you and your horse in action and recommand the best diet and exercise regime to build up your horse properly and respecting what he's capable of.

[@madisonoranczak3206]

Early 😊😊

[@suemcfarlane4199]

The more you improve the slower pace the better your horse will get if you work on the walk it will improve your trot and so on take your time as this is foundation stuff that is important so do it right and you set your horse up for years to come

[@charleshills1408]

I recommend using a half pad for your horse, when they’re really young and older, so they don’t hurt themselves and help support their back. Also when your jumping,

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Charles Kiley and lizard It’s custom fit... that would only serve to make the fit worse.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Their backs shouldn’t be hurt if you’re using a properly fitted saddle and aren’t riding with an unstable seat. If a horse has back problems that only a half pad can fix, either your saddle doesn’t fit or you’re not riding softly.

[@vivvy127]

What is in 2:02??

[@mandym6016]

Charcoal

[@corliabotha7213]

what is a green horse????????????

[@IvWicked]

Corlia Botha It means he is a inexperienced horse.

[@corliabotha7213]

@@IvWickedhanks, that helps

[@katharineforsyth1870]

@@IvWicked no. Any age of horse can be green. A green horse is an inexperienced horse. Any rider should know this terminology.

[@IvWicked]

Jade Hill Sport Horses sorry,I should’ve worded it better

[@Lexi-hk3iv]

I would not be feeding flex seed if you’re horse is overweight it has a massive amount of calories and makes people put on weight.

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

A S It has good fat so is still good for their health. You’d have to feed a ton of it for it to make that much of a difference in a horse who is in work. You don’t feed very much of it so I’d advise cutting back if you’re giving them enough to pack on tons of pounds.

[@karenonsager4778]

Feed thrive feed no supplements or extras needed

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

Karen Onsager you don’t know my horses and their individual needs so I really don’t know how you can say that

[@katharineforsyth1870]

This is completely incorrect. With performance horses, especially upper level performance horses, they HAVE to have additives to their feed to maintain their increased need for things to build muscle, keep bones strong, keep hooves healthy, etc. They have a much higher need for fatty acids, carbohydrates, fiber, etc. If you're not doing anything with your horse and they're just out in a pasture 24/7, and they have no extra needs in their diet, of course you shouldn't feed additives. Please educate yourself. Your ignorance could affect someone else and make them do something incorrect and hurt their horses.

[@masekoboranstud8093]

Y’all doing Modern things whilst in the past horses never needed this you just making horses weaker and weaker everyday

[@Milestone-Equestrian]

horses always needed to build top line… in the past we had less information to go off of and a poorer understanding of horses. Terribly sorry to hear you have no intentions of modernizing with new information. Best of luck