The right fuel

Nutrition plays an enormous part in a competition horse’s performance, but how do you know if you are getting it right? Stephanie Bateman investigates

- Stephanie Bateman

AS competitive riders, we rely on our horse’s feed to help ensure he is in good condition, well-muscled, has enough stamina and can cope with the workload. But with myriad options out there, it can be hard to know if we are providing our horse with exactly what he needs.

“Feeding is as simple or as complex as you make it,” says British Horse Feeds consultant nutritionist Dr Tom Shurlock. “Diets must be based on forage — grazing, haylage or hay. This will supply a significant proportion of all the nutrients required. In the case of trace elements, forage will supply nearly all that are needed, with the possible exception of copper, zinc and selenium. There may be a shortfall of energy, for which a super-fibre [highly digestible fibre], or grain-based supplement may help; or protein, for which a balancer or high-protein feed will also help.”

By starting with forage, adding a super fibre and “topping up” with a balancer, the basic needs of an active horse will be met.

A MORE precise breakdown of nutritional components is usually best left to the feed companies.

“It is possible to analyse your horse’s nutritional intake, but the ability to buy those individual vitamins and minerals in the small quantity that they would be needed is virtually nil,” says Nicola Tyler of TopSpec. “In terms of the micronutrients [vitamins and minerals], it’s better to ask a specialist feed company, via their free advice line, for an appropriate product. We ask at least 30 questions before we even think about providing an answer. Talk to a few so you can make an informed decision on what will work for your horse.”