Performance
A performance horse is any horse that is asked to engage in regular exercise. This may be frequent trail rides, riding lessons, ranch work, driving, racing, or any number of competitive disciplines. The demands of performance put stresses on a horse's body above and beyond those normally encountered by idle horses. The most notable difference is that the energy requirement of performance horses may increase significantly.
The body of the horse is well adapted to storing and mobilizing energy from various types of nutrients, such as fibre, starch, sugar, and fat. Once a horse is in steady work, whether it is light, moderate, or intense, special attention should be given to the diet to ensure adequate energy (calories) and optimal levels of key nutrients are supplied. The harder the horse works and the longer the duration of exercise, the more vitamins and minerals the horse requires. Unfortunately, hay and cereal grains alone are low in certain vitamins and minerals needed for optimal performance, so if a fortified concentrate is not being fed as directed or if straight cereal grains are fed, supplementation can be a necessity for many performance horses.
Performance and the changes in diet and management that are made to facilitate a training and competition schedule put the horse at risk for problems such as degenerative joint disease, stereotypical behaviours, and digestive issues such as gastric ulcers and hindgut acidosis. Additionally, due to the increased workload and sweating, the horse loses certain minerals, called electrolytes, at an increased rate and special attention must be made to replenishing them to avoid negative effects on performance. Instead of waiting for these problems to make themselves known, the best way to manage horses to support optimal performance and longevity is to identify risk factors that may contribute to problems and take steps to prevent the problems from occurring through proactive supplementation.
Muscle contractions during work leads to the production of free radicals, which can cause oxidative damage to muscle cells. Certain nutrients act as antioxidants, battling these free radicals and enhancing cellular defences to reduce the risk of muscle damage and support improved recovery.
The stress of intense exercise on bones during a performance may slightly increase the need for minerals important in bone integrity such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and zinc.
Finally, the old adage, “no hoof, no horse” is a truism that mustn’t be overlooked. Some horses need a little help to keep their hooves in tip-top condition.
When managing the performance horse, ask yourself, have you provided and does your horse need:
- Digestive tract support?
- Electrolyte replacement?
- Protection from oxidative damage?
- Support for joint health?
- Support for bone health?
- Support for optimal hoof and coat health?
Which solutions are right for your horse?
Nano-Q10™ Coenzyme Q10 antioxidant for horses. Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from highly reactive chemicals called free radicals that can damage cells and their DNA. Nano-Q10 features advanced nanotechnology to create a rapidly available and absorbed source of Coenzyme Q10 that has been shown to be 3X more bioavailable than powdered ubiquinone.
Race Recovery™ Racing optimized electrolyte. Horses with insufficient electrolyte replacement risk loss of stamina and early onset of fatigue. Race Recovery replaces essential electrolytes lost by horses trained on furosemide (Lasix®). Race Recovery stimulates thirst, increases water intake and body weight rebound, and improves recovery prior to racing.
Restore® Electrolyte for performance horses. A scientifically formulated electrolyte supplement designed to match the composition of horse sweat. Restore is designed to replenish electrolytes in any situation where horses may have sweated, particularly after training, travel, racing, competition, or during hot weather.
Restore® Paste Buffered oral electrolyte paste for horses that sweat. A carefully formulated electrolyte paste to match the composition of sweat. Restore Paste is an easy-to-administer product that includes a buffering agent designed to support gastrointestinal comfort in horses.
Synovate HA® Premium joint supplement.Synovate HA may assist with supporting equine athletes through the rigors of training and competition. Owners and trainers of high-performance horses rely on intraarticular, intravenous, or oral hyaluronic acid to help protect their horses’ joints.
Learn More
- Feeding Performance Horses
- Poor Performance in Sport Horses
- Feeding Horses Before Exercise: What to Feed and When?
- Electrolytes and Muscle Function: What's the Connection?
- Assessing Sweat Loss and Electrolyte Needs in Horses
- Electrolytes Vital for Performance Horses
- Gastric Ulcers in Horses: Facts and Fallacies
- Omeprazole and Calcium Digestibility: What Horse Owners Should Know
- Choose Natural Vitamin E for Exercising Horses
- An Introduction to Coenzyme Q10 for Athletic Horses
- Understanding Joint Disease in Horses
- Omega-3s and Inflammation in Athletic Horses
- Athletic Horses: Supplements to Maximize Bone Health
