Horses that train, travel, or compete may need extra attention when it comes to diet, hydration, exercise, and relaxation. Equine Performance is a supplement from Standard Process that may help your horse cope with rigorous athletic demands.
Horses love to be on the move, and regular exercise helps keep them physically and mentally fit. They also require high-quality nutrition to keep their bodies strong and healthy, and performance horses have unique nutritional needs because of the rigorous training, competition, and overall health. In fact, these horses may have nutritional needs beyond what their regular diets provide, especially ones who train rigorously or are preparing for, participating in, or recovering from competition or travel. These nutrition and health tips will help keep your horse in top shape and support equine performance.
Provide Balanced Nutrition
Provide a balanced diet rich in high-quality forage and appropriate concentrates to meet the energy demands of training or competition. The exact amount of forage will depend on factors such as the horse’s size and workload, but as a general guideline, horses should consume around 1.5% to 2% of their body weight in forage per day.
During travel, providing forage can also help maintain digestive health and alleviate boredom. And try to stick to your regular feeding routine when you’re on the road. If your horse is used to regular turnout, you can mimic that with hand grazing when you’re away from home.
You may have to adjust feeding amounts and compositions as your horse’s workload, body condition, and individual nutritional requirements change before/during/after training or competitions. Work with a veterinarian or equine nutritionist to develop a diet plan that supports optimal equine performance and health.
Keep Them Hydrated
Proper hydration is paramount, and horses may sweat up to 4 gallons per hour during intense exercise in hot or humid weather. Ensure your horse always has access to clean, fresh water at home, when traveling, and during competitions. Make sure they drink enough, especially when the mercury skyrockets or during exercise. You may also want to consider electrolyte supplements to support hydration, replace lost minerals, and support electrolyte balance.
Maintain a Regular Exercise and Conditioning Routine
A structured exercise program with adequate warm-up and cool-down periods will build and maintain strength, endurance, and flexibility while minimizing the risk of injury. Incorporate cardiovascular work, strength training, conditioning exercises, and flexibility exercises to keep your horse in peak athletic condition.
Ensure Proper Rest and Recovery
While exercise is critical for performance horses, rest, relaxation, and stress management are also essential to prevent fatigue and overtraining. Horses participating in endurance races, for instance, might run upwards of 100 miles a day, and training for such events is demanding.
Schedule regular rest days to allow your horse’s body to recover and regenerate. Provide ample turnout, a comfortable place to lie down, and time for free movement to promote relaxation. Pay attention to signs of fatigue or discomfort, such as:
- Decreased performance
- Stiffness
- Behavioral changes
- Lack of motivation
Preparing for Travel or Competitions
Regularly assess your horse’s physical condition and monitor their vital signs. Before hitting the road, have your veterinarian perform a thorough check-up. You should also prepare a travel kit containing essentials, such as first aid supplies, water buckets, feed, hay, and grooming tools.
Use a Supplement that Supports Equine Performance
When your horse has nutritional needs beyond what their regular diet provides, Equine Performance from Standard Process provides whole foods and nutrients that may support the antioxidant pathways associated with exercise, it may be especially beneficial for horses who train rigorously, travel, or compete.
Visit Standard Process today to learn more!
AUTHOR PROFILE
Equine Wellness Magazine is North America’s most trusted natural health and lifestyle magazine for horses, and the premiere publication educating a growing audience in natural and integrative approaches to health and horsemanship. EW transcends all areas of the equine market and appeals to everyone from backyard enthusiasts to serious competitors.
