Train, Compete, Recover

No matter what level you are eventing at, whether you are starting out doing BE80s or you are a seasoned four-star rider it is important to fuel your horse so they are capable of the work being asked of them.

When thinking of your horse’s diet, think of what is required to train effectively, compete successfully and recover efficiently.

Train effectively

• Some horses start to back off their hard feed once work levels start to increase, especially during a fittening campaign. Horses that do not eat their full intake of hard feed will struggle to develop and maintain fitness levels and are likely to lack topline and muscle.
• Feeding a low intake performance balancer, such as COMPETITION-FIT-BALANCER, ensures the full spectrum of vitamins, minerals and quality protein is provided in only a small quantity of feed. This ensures optimal micronutrient intake without overwhelming the horse with a large quantity of feed. Some feeds also include added flavours, such as mint or blackcurrant, to tempt even the fussiest of horses whilst training and competing.

COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY

• Supporting optimal digestion is key to ensuring your horse will have enough energy for competition. To reduce the risk of digestive issues, such as gastric ulcers, whilst ensuring you have enough energy in the tank consider topping up with a low starch performance feed. RE-LEVE-MIX & CUBES® are low in starch and have a high inclusion of ‘super-fibres’ and oil to provide long-lasting energy and to support stamina.
• Topping up the diet with a digestive aid such as PRO-YEAST will further support optimal digestion, and in turn energy generation without increasing the meal size.

RECOVER EFFICIENTLY

• Antioxidants are a key component of the diet when it comes to supporting recovery. It is their job to protect against free radicals which cause damage to cells. Optimal antioxidant inclusions in the feed will help to support muscle recovery, as well as general immune function and health.
• It is also important to think about electrolyte supplementation. When horses sweat they lose electrolytes, as well as water, which can cause early muscle fatigue, reduced stamina, muscle cramps, dehydration and slow recovery rates. Feeding a sloppy bucket of RE-COVERY Mash after travelling and strenuous exercise will help to increase the natural thirst response, reducing the risk of poor recovery rates due to dehydration.

If you would like further information on creating a feeding plan for the season ahead please fill out our FEED ADVICE FORM or call our nutritional team on 01622 718487