Performance – Feeding the Disciplines

Feeding the disciplines

Read the following information and then complete the quiz questions at the end of the page to test your knowledge and earn AMTRA points.

This resource will introduce you to the following topics:

Regardless of discipline, to perform at their best, all types of performance horses need to:

To perform at their best, horses need to be a healthy weight which can be assessed by regularly fat scoring and weigh taping.
Too thin = too little energy reserves
In endurance, a study found that horses disqualified for metabolic reasons had a pre-ride body condition score of 2.9 (on the 9 point scale) compared to a score of 4.5 for those disqualified for non-metabolic reasons. Other studies have found that all horses in the study populations that failed to finish had scores of less than 3. Aim for a score of 4-5 on the 9-point scale and 2.5-3 on the 5-point scale.
Too fat = poor heat dissipation and extra strain on the body
Dressage horses, even those competing at a high level, are often good doers and prone to being overweight. Being overweight puts significantly more stress on the joints which affects longevity in the discipline.

Supporting a healthy respiratory system is of great importance for the performance horse.
Using chopped fibres like alfalfa and grasses which have been precision dried is preferable to those that have been sun-dried. Precision drying is a way of conserving forages that ensures they are as clean as possible as well as locking in natural nutrients.
Straw is a useful ingredient for good doers but should be avoided for the performance horse, as it is sun-dried and contains more mould spores so is not ideal for maximising respiratory health.

Sweating is the main method of heat dissipation when exercising.
Sweat contains water and electrolytes – losses of each result in fatigue and potentially more serious metabolic disorders.
Horses lose a large amount of sweat when exercising and this increases in hot conditions
Electrolytes should be provided throughout training, not just after competition.

Energy isn’t just required for weight maintenance but to fuel work as well.
Energy sources used by different disciplines depend on whether the type of exercise is predominantly aerobic or anaerobic.
When a horse is exercising aerobically at lower speeds, exercise can be fuelled by fatty acids and glucose which is relatively efficient.
Prolonged periods at higher speeds, e.g., canter work, will shift to anaerobic metabolism, utilising glycogen and glucose.
Anaerobic metabolism is much less efficient and produces lactic acid which can lead to fatigue.
In practice throughout training and competition, a combination of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism occurs.
Equine nutritionists can advise on suitable feeds and quantities for different horses based on their individual requirements.

NOPS are prohibited substances that are naturally occurring in plants and can contaminate feed materials used for horse feed.
They are not intentionally fed to the horse but their presence will still cause a positive test result and the trainer/rider will forfeit the winnings.
If it is proven that the feed was the source of the positive test, then the rider or trainer is unlikely to receive a ban or fine if they use a NOPS approved feed or can demonstrate they have not been negligent in the feeds they choose to use.
In all disciplines other than racing, the rider is responsible for the horse even if they only accept the ride on the day of the competition.
All Dengie feeds are approved under the BETA NOPS scheme. It is NOT a guarantee but a mark that we have done all we can to reduce the risk of contamination with NOPS.

We want the horse to perform for us but need to maintain health.

High cereal diets increase risk of disease.

High fibre diets not only maintain digestive health but also supply enough energy for moderate work.

Fibre should still be provided at a minimum quantity of 1.5% of the horse’s bodyweight on a dry matter basis, even for horses in hard work.