Fuelling Success: Is Nutrition Important in Equine Performance?

In the demanding world of equine sports, from the precision of dressage to the explosive power of showjumping and the endurance of eventing, every detail counts. Ensuring that your horse has the right fuel, at the right time, ensures that the building blocks are in place for optimal performance of their bodies, as well as ensuring that their recovery is enhanced - so YES nutrition is definitely important when looking at your horse’s performance.

Nutrition is not a one size fits all, and your horse has different nutritional requirements at different points of their training as well as varying from one horse to another

Why are we talking about this - we are physios!? As we specialise in performance, it is an element that we feel is of great importance. If there is not enough protein in a horse's diet, how can we expect the muscles to build!? We work closely with nutritional specialists, so we can work together to ensure all horses we see in our performance pathway have all the building blocks needed…

Here is a more detailed deep dive into how nutrition may be affecting your horse...

More Than Just "Feed": This is a bit of science…

Gone are the days of simply throwing a scoop of oats into a bucket. Modern equine nutrition is a science, and should be tailored to the individual horse's workload, discipline, age, metabolism, and even temperament. A well-designed nutritional program aims to:

• Provide Adequate Energy: The primary function of feed is to supply energy for work, maintenance, and vital bodily functions. This energy comes from carbohydrates, fats, and to a lesser extent, protein. The type and amount of energy source must match the intensity and duration of the horse's work.

• Support Muscle Development & Repair: Protein, composed of amino acids, is crucial for building and repairing muscle tissue. Performance horses require high-quality protein to support muscle mass, aid in recovery from strenuous exercise, and prevent muscle breakdown.

• Maintain Bone Strength & Integrity: The skeletal system endures immense stress in performance horses. A balanced intake of macro-minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, along with trace minerals such as copper, zinc, and manganese, is vital for strong bones and healthy joints, reducing the risk of orthopaedic injuries.

• Optimize Digestive Health: A healthy gut is paramount. Fibre from forage (hay and grass) is the foundation of the equine diet, supporting a healthy microbiome and efficient digestion. Digestive upsets can lead to poor nutrient absorption, colic, and reduced performance. We are all aware of the effects the gastric system can have with the hot topic of gastric ulcers at the moment, but even beyond ulcers, the gut needs to function at its best to make the most use of the other nutrients.

• Boost Immune Function: A robust immune system helps horses ward off illness and recover quickly from the stresses of training, travel, and competition. Vitamins (especially A, E, and C) and trace minerals play key roles in supporting immune health.

• Enhance Recovery: Post-exercise nutrition is critical; but we often overlook what happens after exercise. This is the time that the body needs amino acids to restore the muscles (as well as help grow them) and also allows the horse to return to training sooner and stronger.

  

The Impact on Performance

When nutrition is totally the right fit for that horse, at the right time, the results can be significant:

• Increased Stamina and Endurance: Adequate, sustained energy release allows horses to perform at high levels for longer periods without fatigue.

• Greater Power and Speed: Optimal muscle development and efficient energy metabolism translate directly into more explosive power and faster speeds when needed.

• Improved Focus and Temperament: A balanced diet can help regulate blood sugar levels, preventing energy spikes and crashes that can affect a horse's focus and behavior.

• Enhanced Soundness and Longevity: Strong bones, healthy joints, and resilient soft tissues mean fewer injuries and a longer, more productive competitive career.

• Better Coat and Hoof Quality: While seemingly cosmetic, a healthy coat and strong hooves are indicators of overall well-being and efficient nutrient absorption, reflecting a well-nourished horse.

  
  

The Dangers of Imbalance

Nutritional imbalances can severely hinder performance and health, and these are more often seen than you may think.

• Energy Deficiencies: Lead to lethargy, poor muscle development, and inability to meet training demands. This may also appear to be not hitting the cross-country time, knocking poles whilst jumping or not being able to achieve the extended work.

• Protein Deficiencies: Result in muscle loss, poor recovery, and a dull coat. This can be very mild, or quite prominent. Although many elements can result in muscle loss, ensuring your horse has the protein building blocks can ensure that they are able to build and sustain their muscle strength, is a key component.

• Mineral Imbalances: Can compromise bone density, joint health, and overall soundness. This is likely to be detected once an injury has occurred, which is often too late. So, ensuring your horse has the required nutrition can prevent many injuries occurring.

• Digestive Issues: Lead to colic, ulcers, and poor nutrient absorption, impacting overall health and performance. Ulcers are far too common in our sport; and we often overlook the digestive health - but it is something that simple balanced nutrition (as well as lifestyle factors) can easily address.

Partnering for Success

There are so many options on the market, when looking into equine feeds - which can be a complex maze to navigate. At AEP, we are strong believers in team work; which is why we work closely and directly with nutritionists. When we are working with your horse, on our performance pathway, we will directly liaise with a nutritionist giving real life specific feedback, to ensure that your horse is getting all the nutrients they need and has a balanced diet, preventing injuries and set backs, and optimising your pathway to success.