Feeding is a complicated science never more so than with a competition horse aiming for peak performance. Emily Bevan sorts the facts from the fiction
One of the golden rules of feeding is to be consistent, so making any sudden changes to your horses diet, particularly ahead of a competition when you are wanting him to perform at his best, is never a good idea.
An abrupt dietary change can increase the risk of colic, plus during exercise horses, like humans, use stored energy sources not energy directly from their previous meal, says Spillers competition nutritionist Yvonne Judith. This instant energy may also cause behavioural issues in some horses the last thing you want before a competition.
For a horse to safely receive the full energy benefits that oats provide, he would need to be consuming them daily, rather than just on or before competition day.
Oats are a great way of adding quick-release energy into the diet for horses who can be lethargic or lacking in energy, but this should not be seen as a substitute for ensuring adequate fitness, says Katie Grimwood, a nutrition advisor from Baileys Horse Feeds.
While all riders and owners are aware of the importance of hydration, many withhold water after exercise as they believe its not safe for a horse to drink if hes hot and sweaty.
This really is an old wives tale, says Yvonne Judith. First, cool the horse down until its nostrils are not flaring and its heart rate is back to normal, then offer water.
A horses thirst instinct is at its highest after exercise so its important to make the most of this opportunity to rehydrate your horse.
As long as the breathing rate has reduced theyshould be offered water, little and often and preferably at an ambient temperature, until they are no longer thirsty, says Anne Priestman, UK national sales manager at Gain Horse Feeds.
Molasses is a byproduct of sugar cane or beet so naturally has a high sugar content. While sugar is fine in moderation, many riders and owners believe the high sugar levels in molasses will give their horse too much energy on competition day. However, what they dont realise is that molasses is already included in most competition mixes in a diluted state to bind the ingredients and dampen the mixture to reduce dust.
Molasses gets blamed for a myriad of problems, including hyperactivity, says Saracen Horse Feeds senior nutritionist Lizzie Drury. Molasses supplies the horse with digestible energy because it is composed entirely of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The amount of molasses in a typical helping of a concentrate feed cannot, however, induce hyperactivity.
Its important to look at the sugar content in your horses diet as a whole rather than singling out specific ingredients.
TopSpecs nutrition director Nicola Tyler adds: Molasses contains approximately 50% sugar and its contribution to the total level of sugar in the diet should be calculated before ruling it out.
Horses are trickle feeders and need to have regular access to forage to keep their gut mobile. Forage also contains all the essential nutrients a horse requires and should form the basis of every horses diet. One of the main components of forage is fibre.
Fibre supports the way that the horse has evolved to graze and provides a bulk to the feed to maintain and support digestive health, says Katie Grimwood. It can also allow the horse to better utilise the nutrients received through the concentrate feed.
There is a common belief that forage shouldnt be fed to a horse while travelling or before competition as it gives them colic or slows them down.
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The opposite is actually true, says Yvonne Judith. A lack of fibre can increase the risk of gastric ulcers and colic. Fibre does bind water in the gut but the slight increase in weight will not impact performance.
Its important to take advice from a nutritionist to ensure you are feeding a balanced diet and are not wasting money on fad products or supplements.
There is a belief among lower level competitors that feeding a certain product or supplement can help your horse to gain topline without supporting the diet with a structured exercise plan. As a result, owners can be tempted to load the horse up on excess ingredients that he doesnt actually need, says Blue Chip Feeds Emma Nicholls.
Protein is one of the key supplements owners often include, believing it helps condition muscle.
While protein is required to build muscle tone and topline and is needed for the growth and repair of body tissues, feeding protein alone is not sufficient to promote topline and should be used in combination with correct training, explains Katie Grimwood.
If your horse is consuming a balanced diet he should be receiving the nutritional support he needs for all areas of development.
Topline develops from the correct working of the horses muscles along the spine to build a top line. Quality amino acids are required to help build muscle and feeding the correct diet according to the horses requirements should provide these amino acids, without the need for additional supplements, says Anne Priestman.
Grassroots competitors are often nave in what they are feeding their horses and think that when they step up a level they need to increase their horses feed intake, says Emma Nicholls. The overriding message is my horse needs more energy so I will up his feed rather than looking at the type of feed he requires.
Understanding your horses dietary requirements is essential if he is to perform to his best and maintain a healthy weight. Advice from a nutritionist can not only help to ensure your horse consumes the correct feed, but also that he receives the appropriate quantities.
Another common misconception is that feeding high energy feeds can help to improve energy levels without causing weight gain, explains Katie Grimwood.
Calories are just units of energy, so high energy feeds are also high in calories. Although feeds such as competition mixes or straight oats can work to an extent, if used they should be incorporated as part of a fully balanced diet and in combination with a suitable fitness regime.
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While a bran mash may be considered a warm, comforting treat and it can help increase your horses water intake, if it is not a regular component of his diet it has no place in his feed bucket.
Abrupt dietary changes are never a good idea and bran is no exception. Bran is not balanced, especially in terms of calcium and phosphorus, and can actually be quite abrasive on the digestive system, says Yvonne Judith. Also be warned: some products marketed as mashes, especially within Europe, can be very high in starch which could contribute to colic, tying up or behavioural problems.
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This article was first published in the 2 February issue of Horse & Hound magazine
Read more:
Adding oats and other myths about feeding competition horses debunked - Horse & Hound
