Muscle Building

*r s c* asked:


I have a 4 yr old appendix quarter horse that I am trying to build muscle on (especially on his hind quarters), and get into shape. Right now I have been lunging him every day for 25-30 mins at the trot and a little canter, and I have been riding almost every day for about 45 mins. Right now he has a big belly that wont go away, he just isn’t building muscle. He is a big, stocky guy naturally, but is all flab. When I ride he goes correctly, he uses his hind end to push off, and collects up pretty well (obviously not perfect because he is somewhat green still). I am about to start showing him, and am trying to sell him, he is a great horse, really nice conformation and every thing, but he just doesn’t look in shape.

Are there any suppliments or anything I could add to his diet to work kind of like a protien shake? (I don’t mean steroids or anything)

any advice to more effectivly condition my horse?
I have access to “sand dunes” (just huge piles of sand from a near by gravel pit) on our trails, would walking and trotting up these be a good thing to do? Or would it be too hard on his joints?
As soon as I get him looking inshape I plan on showing AQHA hunter under saddle. It is very competitive around where I am, he has to be in great shape

Kody