When a horse is training and competing, its nutritional requirements can increase considerably.
But feeding a performance horse doesn't have to mean throwing everything possible into one enormous bucket.
The same NEIGHKED principles still apply:
Forage first. Keep the diet logical. Then target the nutritional demands created by the horse's workload.
Performance Doesn't Change the Importance of Forage
Whatever the horse's level, forage remains fundamental.
Training, travelling and competition can make feeding management more challenging, so maintaining an appropriate fibre intake should remain a priority.
The individual horse's forage, workload, body condition and energy requirements all need to be considered together.
Match Energy Intake to Workload
A performance horse may require more dietary energy than a horse in light work, but requirements vary enormously.
A horse competing regularly at a high level has very different demands from one that trains several times a week but competes occasionally.
Where additional energy is required, suitable fibre-based feeds can form part of the ration.
A typical bucket might include:
• Chaff
• An appropriate higher-energy fibre mix or cubes
• Correctly prepared unmolassed sugar beet
Quantities should be based on the individual horse and the feed manufacturer's recommendations, with larger daily allowances divided between suitable meals.
Think About Muscle, Joints and Recovery
Performance nutrition isn't just about supplying calories.
Training places demands on multiple body systems, so the wider nutritional balance of the ration matters too.
Where appropriate, HERCULES can provide targeted amino acid support as part of a diet designed to support muscle.
GYMNAST may be considered as part of a performance horse's joint-support programme, while 100% Vitality Tonic can provide additional nutritional support within the overall ration.
For horses that become reactive, unsettled or lose focus in certain situations, BUCK OFF may be considered according to individual requirements.
And where maintaining normal skin and coat condition is a priority, SKIN TONIC may form part of the horse's nutritional programme.
An Example Feeding Plan for a Performance Horse
A NEIGHKED-style performance ration might therefore look like:
Forage: suitable good-quality forage forming the foundation.
Bucket feed: chaff + appropriate higher-energy fibre cubes/mix + soaked unmolassed sugar beet.
Targeted nutritional support: HERCULES + GYMNAST + 100% Vitality Tonic, with BUCK OFF and/or SKIN TONIC according to the individual horse.
This should never be treated as a fixed competition ration for every horse.
A performance horse's diet should evolve with its workload, condition, training schedule, forage and recovery needs.
The objective isn't the most complicated feeding programme.
It's an appropriate feeding programme for that horse, doing that job, at that point in its training.
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BUCK OFF
I took my mare to her first show since last year whilst being on Buck Off and the difference was outstanding. Last year I could barely hold her in the in hand class due to her being so stressed and the show this weekend I was able to ride and she stood quietly and watched the other classes.
Megan Connors
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SKIN TONIC
My horse had an allergic reaction and lost a lot of his hair as a result. After a month of being on skin tonic and using collegen and kelp cream his coat was back to looking better than ever!
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Every review is from a verified NEIGHKED customer via Judge.me.
Explore Our Equine Nutrition Guides
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Important Feeding Note
This example is intended as a general feeding guide only and isn't a personalised performance nutrition programme. The nutritional requirements of competition horses can vary considerably according to bodyweight, discipline, training intensity, competition schedule, forage, environment, health and individual metabolism.
Always follow feed manufacturers' instructions, introduce dietary changes gradually and ensure appropriate access to fresh water. Horses undertaking demanding training or competition may benefit from an individually formulated diet from a suitably qualified equine nutritionist. Consult your vet if you have concerns about your horse's health, condition, performance or recovery.