To keep equine athletes training, performing and competing at their best, it’s important to understand that they have additional nutritional needs. You can’t feed a performance horse the same way you feed an easy-keeper and expect the same results. In addition to a high quality complete feed, performance horses require fuel for energy and additional nutrients for muscle function and recovery. Maintaining a balanced diet will keep your athlete healthy while allowing him to perform at optimal levels.
Energy Source for Horses in Heavy Work
Horses receive fuel (energy) through healthy carbohydrates and fats. They can be found in top of the line horse feeds and performance supplements. Choosing a conditioning supplement that contains essential fatty acids can improve your horse’s skin, coat and hoof health. This allows your horse to maintain a healthy body weight while providing enough carbs and fats to fuel him through rigorous exercise without increasing the amount of food he eats.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Most horse’s vitamin and mineral requirements can be met with a commercially made feed fortified with extra nutrients. However, performance horses have an increased nutritional requirement when they are worked hard. While it can be challenging to meet their vitamin and mineral needs, not providing enough nutrients can be detrimental to the health and performance of your equine athlete.
All performance horses can benefit from additional nutrients but Vitamin E is crucial to muscle recovery because it prevents oxidative damage. This antioxidant also helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function as well as helps support the immune system. Because most supplements that contain Vitamin are often partnered with Selenium, you may want to consult with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist to check your horse’s selenium levels.
Protein and Amino Acids
Protein and amino acids are the building blocks for creating muscle tone and a strong topline in your equine athlete. Commercial feeds are often available in varying levels of protein different sources. Amino acids are significant components of muscle protein and are essential for muscle growth, development and repair. Using a performance supplement can increase the protein, aminos, vitamins and minerals that your horse needs without having to feed additional grain.
Electrolytes and Water
Your horse cannot store extra electrolytes so you must replenish what he has lost in sweat every single day. Horse sweat is composed of high levels of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Keeping your working horse’s electrolytes balanced is important because it supports his urge to drink water. Electrolytes also support most bodily functions including the nervous system, healthy digestion and normal muscle function.
As with any animal, providing plenty of fresh water is essential to life. Horses can easily lose anywhere from 1 to 4 gallons of sweat depending on performance level and air temperature. Equine athletes should consume anywhere from 10 to 20 gallons or more of water per day to maintain proper hydration.
Providing Extra Nutrition To Performance Horses The Right Way
While feeding a high-quality complete feed that is designed for the specific nutritional needs of performance horses, each horse has different needs that often can’t be met solely by bagged feed. That’s why TWYDIL USA proudly offers scientifically formulated supplements that have been thoroughly tested and proven to support the additional nutritional needs of your exquisite equine athlete.
We offer a full line of supplements for your competition horse that are safe, all-natural and certified drug-free. Shop our full line of TWYDIL® performance horse supplements and choose the one that is right for your athletes individual needs. Our experts are available to help you find the feed additive that will most benefit your horse.