Feeding sport horses is a crucial factor that impacts their health, condition, and performance. A well-balanced diet provides the necessary energy for intense training and competitions, supports recovery, and promotes the overall well-being of the horse. Proper nutrition is not only about supplying calories but also about ensuring the horse receives all the essential nutrients in the correct proportions.
Basics of Sport Horse Nutrition
Macronutrients and Micronutrients
The foundation of every horse’s diet should be forage, such as hay and grass. These provide the necessary fiber to support proper digestive function. However, due to increased physical activity, sport horses have higher requirements for energy and nutrients.
- Protein: Essential for building and repairing muscles and tissues, a lack of protein can lead to muscle loss and reduced performance.
- Carbohydrates: The main source of energy for horses, fueling intense physical exertion. It is important to include both fast-absorbing and slow-absorbing carbohydrates in the diet of sport horses.
- Fats: A concentrated source of energy, fats can be especially beneficial for horses undergoing prolonged effort and serve as carriers of fat-soluble vitamins.
Water and Electrolytes
Constant access to fresh and clean water is absolutely essential. Horses can drink between 20 and 60 liters of water per day, depending on temperature and activity level. A lack of water can lead to dehydration, reduced performance, and health issues.
Let’s not forget about electrolytes, which play a key role in maintaining fluid balance in the body and ensuring the proper functioning of muscles and the nervous system. During periods of intense exercise or heat, electrolyte supplementation is worth considering.
Types of Diets for Sport Horses
High-Protein Diet
Types of Diets for Sport Horses
High-Protein Diet
Protein-rich diets are especially important for young, growing horses and those undergoing intense training. High-quality protein supports muscle development and tissue repair. Sources of protein in a horse’s diet include:
- Alfalfa: Rich in amino acids and calcium.
- Soy: Provides complete protein.
- Specialized protein feeds such as Pferde Menue from Ahlbrand, available at BM Horse.
High-Carbohydrate Diet
Carbohydrates are the primary source of energy for sport horses. High-carbohydrate diets help maintain adequate glycogen levels in the muscles, contributing to endurance and strength during competitions. The main sources of carbohydrates are grains, such as oats, barley, or processed grain products.
Supplementation
Supplements can be a valuable addition to a horse’s diet, providing extra nutrients. Plant oils, such as flaxseed or soybean oil, supply omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, supporting skin and coat health, as well as metabolic functions. Vitamins and minerals in the form of
vitamin complexes support the immune, nervous, and skeletal systems. Don’t forget about the joints—supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin support joint health, which is crucial during intense physical activity.
It’s worth highlighting high-quality products, such as Ahlbrands Gold from Ahlbrand, which supports energy efficiency and mineral balance—available at BM Horse.
Remember! Supplementation should always be consulted with a veterinarian or nutritionist.
Meal Planning for Sport Horses
How Often to Feed a Horse?
Horses are designed to consume small amounts of food continuously. It is best to provide smaller portions of feed several times a day. Regular feeding helps maintain stable energy levels, prevents blood sugar fluctuations, and reduces the risk of digestive issues such as colic or gastric ulcers.
Tips on Portions and Frequency
- Forage (hay, grass) should be available 24/7, supplying fiber and supporting proper digestive function.
- Concentrated feeds (grains, concentrates) should be given in amounts adjusted to the horse’s body weight, age, condition, and activity level. Overfeeding can lead to hyperactivity, digestive problems, or laminitis.
To ease the transport and distribution of feed, it’s worth using practical accessories available at BM Horse. The BM Horse feed cart makes transporting and dosing feed easier. The small hay trolley is convenient and easy to handle for daily use, while the large hay trolley allows for the transport of larger quantities of hay or straw, making it particularly useful in larger stables.
Supplements for Sport Horses
When and What Supplements to Use
Supplementation should be tailored to the individual needs of the horse. Popular supplements for sport horses include:
- Electrolytes: Replenish minerals lost during sweating.
- Vitamins and minerals: Support overall health and metabolic functions.
- Joint supplements: Hyaluronic acid, collagen, glucosamine, or chondroitin may support joint health
Benefits and Potential Risks
Using supplements can offer many benefits, but excessive or improper use can lead to imbalances in nutrients. Always consult a specialist before starting supplementation.
At BM Horse, you can find high-quality nutritional products from Ahlbrand, such as Pferde Menue and Ahlbrands Gold. Pferde Menue is a premium muesli feed for horses that complements forage, particularly for foals, breeding mares, stallions, and sport horses. Ahlbrands Gold is an innovative feed supplement that supports muscle development, improves fertility, and reduces stress, which contributes to better sport performance.
Diet and Different Equestrian Disciplines
Jumping Horses
Jumping horses need a diet rich in energy and protein to support muscle strength, endurance, and the ability to quickly recover energy between jumps. This discipline requires power, agility, and focus.
- Energy: The diet should provide easily accessible energy from moderate and fast-releasing carbohydrates such as grains (oats, barley, corn).
- Protein: High-quality protein supports muscle recovery. Sources include alfalfa, soy, and specialized protein feeds.
- Fats: Adding plant oils increases the energy density of the feed without increasing its volume.
- Vitamins and minerals: B vitamins, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorus, and selenium are particularly important.
- Supplementation: Joint supplements (glucosamine, chondroitin) may help support the locomotor.
Race Horses
Racehorses require quickly available energy to meet the demands of intense, short-duration effort. A high-carbohydrate diet with added fats is key.
- Energy: Fast-absorbing carbohydrates provide immediate energy. Starches from oats or corn are ideal.
- Fats: Oils (e.g., rice bran) increase the energy value of the diet.
- Protein: Essential for muscle recovery after exertion.
- Electrolytes: Supplementation is key due to significant losses during sweating.
- Antioxidants: Vitamins E, C, and selenium protect muscle cells.
- Supplementation: Performance-enhancing supplements (L-carnitine, creatine) should be used under veterinary supervision.
Dressage Horses
Dressage horses require a diet that supports concentration, flexibility, and muscle development responsible for complex movements.
- Energy: Balanced energy intake, avoiding overstimulation.
- Protein: High-quality protein for the development of back and hindquarter muscles.
- Fats: Flaxseed oil provides steady energy and supports skin health.
- Vitamins and minerals: B vitamins for the nervous system, magnesium to reduce tension.
- Supplementation: Supplements for joint flexibility (hyaluronic acid, MSM).
- Antioxidants: Vitamins E, C, and selenium for muscle health.
- Practical tips: Avoid feeds high in starch, focusing on low-glycemic index feeds.
Conclusion
A healthy and balanced diet is the foundation of a sport horse’s success. Key principles include:
- Providing the right amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients.
- Tailoring the feeding plan to the horse’s needs and sport discipline.
Using professional products like Ahlbrand feeds available at BM Horse, along with practical accessories such as hay trolleys, can significantly simplify daily care for your horse.
Remember, proper nutrition is an investment in your horse’s health and performance.