Jessica Dertell at Equitana © Equinet Media
Topline building, increasing condition, and weight gain… where do I start?
Describing a horse as having a good topline, ideal condition, or being at the perfect weight, are ideas that are often used interchangeably. Although the focus of each concept does slightly alter, perhaps the terminology has become synchronised as they all lead back to the same key driving nutrient- Protein!
Proteins are involved in the structure and function of all living cells. They are constructed from various combinations of Amino Acids, half of which can be synthesised (made) by our horses, and the other half which must be supplied. This particular group is what we call “Essential Amino Acids”, as it is essential that they are supplied in some form, in our horses’ diet.
When our horses’ diets are lacking in high-quality protein, and consequently a sufficient supply of essential amino acids, we may notice one, or even a combination, of deficiency symptoms:
- Unexplained loss of weight
- Unexplained loss of condition
- Poor Topline
- Muscle Wastage
- Poor Growth, and even stunted development
- Decline in performance level
However, when our horse is supplied with a reliable high-quality source of protein these issues are observed less. So, is it as simple as adding as much protein as we can to the diet? Well, not quite! Protein is one of those things you can have too much of. It is also often the most expensive part of our horse’s ration, and that which is not utilised will become expensive waste! Therefore, when looking to choose a protein source for our rations, it is important to consider what sources we are currently providing, as well as:
- Is the protein high quality, containing essential amino acids?
- Does the protein source add excessive starch, which may cause fizzy or heated behaviours?
- Does the protein source add excessive sugars to the ration?
- Is the protein source highly concentrated, or does it require kg’s of bulk added to my current ration?
Is the protein source reliable, or may its quality fluctuate? (Common for sources such as Lucerne!)
Is there a protein source out there that ticks all of these boxes? Ranvet’s Topline FX does!
At just 300g a day, Topline FX provides a concentrated source of high-quality protein, packed with essential amino acids, including Lysine, Methionine, and Arginine. Its formulation is low in starch to reduce fizz, is non heating, and is also low in sugar. Providing a supplement such as Topline FX in the feed provides the nutritional foundations that can assist in reaching the condition, weight gain, and topline-building goals you have for your horse.
Confused about protein or want to know more? Submit your horses for a free diet evaluation here- or reach out to our experienced nutrition team at nutrition@ranvet.com.au
Written by Ranvet’s Nutrition and Animal Health Division
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