Don’t take this guide completely accurately as some sources may be wrong, some horses may be allergic to the fruit or vegetables below so take care in what you do feed them.

Safe Fruits

Safe Vegetables

Feeding Tips

Always remove any pips from pitted fruit – these can be very dangerous to horses

If in any doubt, leave it out!

Feed in moderation.

UNSAFE Fruit

UNSAFE Vegetables

Contrary to common belief, bran mashes are not a good foodstuff for horses due to the inappropriate calcium to phosphorus ratio. The high phosphorus and low calcium content of this feed stuff makes it a poor choice for regular feeding, especially to senior horses who tend to already have low calcium. Bran mashes also do not help to prevent colic or “clear a horse’s gut” according to university run studies.

Bran can still be given as an occasional treat, but in general it should not be a regular part of a horse’s diet. Rather for a warm meal, the horse’s regular concentrate feed with warm water added is a better choice both for diet balance and because sudden changes in diet (including feeding a meal of bran) actually increase the risk of colic.

How to make Bran Mash

Ingredients:

3 lbs bran (either wheat or rice)

¼ cup molasses

1 cup grated carrot

4 cups hot water (approximately)

Slowly combine the water and bran in a large bucket. Once thoroughly mixed, add the molasses and carrot. For a different taste, try substituting apple sauce and diced apple for the molasses and carrot. Then add any supplements, such as flax seed or medications, and allow the mixture to cool before feeding.

This refers to the ease with which nutrients can be absorbed from the digestive tract and utilised by the body.

Bioflavinoids

These are brightly coloured chemical compounds found in various fruits and other plant foods, which may act as antioxidants.

Chelation

A process by which minerals are “bonded” to short-chain proteins (amino acids) or carbohydrates, in order to improve absorption from the gut. Chelates occur naturally in the diet and are also known as organic proteinates or bioplex minerals.

Chondroprotective agents

These may help slow the degenerative processes of arthritis and encourage the regeneration of the synovial fluid and the cartilage matrix. They include glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate.

Cobalamin

Known as cyanocobalamin or vitamin B12, Cobalmin is necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism.

Digestible energy (DE)

This is the estimated amount of calories contained in a feed or forage that can

be absorbed by the horse. These calories can be used for maintenance, growth or work. Any not used for will be turned into extra fat.

Digestive enhancers

These help improve and maintain a good bacterial population in the gut for efficient digestion. They are particularly useful for horses with compromised gut function such as those under stress — when travelling or competing, for example — or those with long-term worm damage or after a course of antibiotics. The term is generally used to refer to probiotics, prebiotics and yeast.

Energy-dense

A concentrated source of energy in a reduced volume of feed.

ERS (exertional rhabdomyolisis syndrome)

This is a type of tying-up, the expression is used to describe horses which suffer from the condition due to a genetic problem in the way they handle calcium at muscle level.

Essential fatty acids

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are necessary for the formation of healthy cell membranes, the proper development and functioning of the brain and nervous system and for the production of hormone-like substances. They cannot be synthesised by the body from other fatty acids and must be obtained from food. There are two closely related families of EFAs: omega-3 and omega-6. Grass has a high omega 3:6 ratio, cereals do not; therefore if grazing is restricted it is important to ensure that the food is correctly supplemented.

Extrusion

In this form of cooking, the feed materials are ground into a flour and injected with very hot steam. The flour passes through holes, which can be of different shapes. The drop in pressure as the wet flour passes through causes the material to expand.

Gelatinisation#

This occurs when cereals are cooked. The heat ruptures the starch molecules, altering the structure and increasing the digestibility of the starch.

Glycaemic response

Foods containing carbohydrates are released as glucose into the bloodstream and stimulate the production of insulin and this is known as glycaemic response. Those high in starch, such as cereals, produce a greater glycaemic response than high-fibre feeds.

Glycogen

This is the main form of carbohydrate storage. Animals store surplus glucose as glycogen in muscles and the liver for use as energy when demand increases.

Hydroponic forage

Germinating barley seeds in lighted trays in a controlled humid environment produces barley grass, which is then harvested and fed, and this is known as hydroponic forage. It has a similar feed value to spring grass.

Immunomodulators

These are substances capable of modifying or influencing the functions of the

immune system.

Lysine

Proteins are the basic unit of animal tissues and are made up of 20 smaller units called amino acids. Some amino acids are essential and others are non-essential. Essential amino acids cannot be made by the horse’s tissues and must be supplied in the diet — lysine is one such essential amino acid.

Macro minerals

Nutrients needed for body structure, maintaining fluid balance, nerve conduction and muscle contraction, these are required in larger quantities (ie grammes per day).

Micro minerals

These are needed as components of “metalloenzymes” (enzymes that need a metal ion in their structure in order to work), which are involved in controlling many biological reactions. They are required in smaller quantities than macro minerals are (ie mg per day or less).

Malabsorption

The inability to absorb nutrients adequately from the intestinal tract. This may be a result of a previous worm infestation.

Multiple forage feeding

Research has shown that by offering horses a variety of different types of forage or fibre in their stable, they are able to spend more time foraging and eating, which are considered natural behaviours. This is thought to be beneficial for enriching the stabled horse’s environment and is particularly recommended for horses stabled for long periods.

Mycotoxin

The toxic chemical products formed by a few fungal species that can colonise crops and forages in the field or after a harvest and thus pose a potential threat to horses. Each mycotoxin is produced by one or more very specific fungal species. The absence of any visible mould does not guarantee freedom from toxins, as the mould may have died out while leaving the toxin intact.

Niacin

One of the B vitamins, niacin is especially important for digestion and appetite, as well as tissue and nerve cells.

Nutraceutical

A nutraceutical is a food or part of a food that provides medicinal or health benefits, including the prevention and treatment of disease. Legislation does not allow medicinal or health claims to be associated with feed. If manufacturers are describing a feed or feed component as medicinal they are breaking the law and increasing the likelihood that the ingredients will be banned from use.

However manufacturers can use the term ‘functional food’, which is food that provides health benefits beyond energy and essential nutrients (e.g. yogurt, which promotes beneficial microflora in the gut).

Panthothenic acid

Part of the B vitamin family, also known as vitamin B5, this is an antioxidant, water-soluble vitamin needed to break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

PSSM (polysaccharide storage myopathy)

A genetic form of tying-up, whereby horses have a glycogen storage problem in their muscles. These horses should not be fed starch nor sugar and 20-30% of their energy should come from fat. The rest of their diet should be fibre-based.

Pyridoxine

This is a B vitamin that assists in the function of specific enzymes within the body. These enzymes are involved in energy production and also the alteration of some of the building blocks of proteins (amino acids) to form specific compounds such as nerve transmitting substances.

Quality protein

This is a type of protein that contains a high proportion of essential amino acids and is therefore very digestible.

Threonine

An essential amino acid, Threonine is thought to be the second most essential (or vital), behind lysine.

Volatile fatty acids (VFAs)

Bacteria ferment the fibre in the horse’s hindgut and use it as a nutrient source

to grow and replicate. As they ferment the fibre, they produce substances known as VFAs. These are absorbed from the gut into the blood and taken to cells, where they are used at biochemical level to produce energy. This is time consuming and one of the reasons why the energy our horses obtain from fibre is considered slow-releasing.

The question is, is your budget “horse and pony mix” or “pony cubes” the good value it seems? To make that judgement, an understanding of nutritional worth, quality issues concerning manufacture and what you require of your horse need to be taken into account.

When choosing any feed, the nutritional specification indicates the power of that food to help a horse work. Many budget feeds offer the bare minimum needed to do a basic job, from energy and protein to vitamins and minerals.

One of my maxims as a nutritionist is that animals respond to nutrients, so to get the best out of your horse, the right span of nutrients is required.

“Basic” may mean survival, but it might not mean long-term health, whatever the horse. Low nutrition doesn’t have an immediate negative visual impact, and, likewise, improvements don’t happen overnight.

One fine detail worth mentioning is quality. Depending on the manufacturer and its main line of business, ingredients of budget feeds can vary. For instance, if sourced from a ruminant compounder, ingredients may include palm kernel, maize gluten and citrus pulp. These are rarely found in the main brands.

Another quality issue is that of prohibited substances. If you take part in affiliated competition, wording on packaging that states “not knowingly contains substances prohibited under FEI or Jockey Club Rules” may be unsuitable.

The big manufacturers exclude such substances by tight control on ingredient buying and huge behind-the-scenes expenditure in checking for their absence.

One thing is for sure, nutrition is a powerful tool in the long-term health and performance of your horse. Low-cost feed options might not deliver either.

Non-heating mix

Why choose it?

If excitability is part of a horse’s character you’ll never eliminate it entirely, but excess energy as a result of feeding can be regulated.

“Cool mixes” address the need to provide the necessary nutrients for a working horse, while keeping down the excitability levels sometimes produced by a hard feed, primarily caused by the starch content.

If hard feed affects your horse, then it is better to feed a nut than a mix, as cubes contain less starch than their mix equivalent.

Typical content

As the starch in grain causes excitability, a non-heating mix aims to provide energy in a less volatile form, by using higher levels of fibre and fat.

Typically, you might find more fibre in the form of grass pellets, alfalfa, vegetable oils, and lower levels of pulses and grain such as barley, maize and oats.

The traditional view is that oats cause excitability, but in fact, they have a lower digestible energy content and are high in fibre compared to other cereals. Cooking cereals breaks down starch, and helps them promote weight gain, useful in excitable horses inclined to lose condition.

Examples

• Spillers Cool Mix
• Badminton Coarse Cool Mix
• Dodson & Horrell Pasture Mix
• Winergy Calm
• Saracen Cooling Mix plus Herbs
• Allen & Page Quiet Mix
• Baileys No 13 Oat Free
• Balanced’ Horse Feeds Oatless Mix
• Dengie Alfa-Easy

Leisure mix

Why choose it?

Horses with a light workload may need a supply of nutrients in addition to grass and hay.

Leisure mixes are useful in these cases, and also as a base ration in yards where a number of horses with different requirements need to be fed easily.

Additional supplementation or other feeds can be added as required. Surveys show that many horses are receiving too much energy (ie hard feed) for the level of work they are doing. Leisure mixes can avoid this, while providing the necessary nutrients.

Typical content

These feeds provide a basic but minimal ration of grains such as barley and oats, with grass pellets or chaff for fibre, wheatfeed pellets for low energy bulk, and molasses to bind the ingredients and add palatability.

It’s important that even a low-energy mix has a full specification of vitamins and minerals included (often in pellet form). Be aware that if you’re using a budget feed, it may contain lower levels of the more expensive vitamins to allow manufacturers to keep costs down.

Try comparing the ingredients listed on the bags of different brands to avoid getting caught out.

These feeds provide a basic but minimal ration of grains such as barley and oats, with grass pellets or chaff for fibre, wheatfeed pellets for low energy bulk, and molasses to bind the ingredients and add palatability.

Examples

• Spillers Horse and Pony Herbal Mix,
• D&H Leisure Mix
• Allen & Page Hacking Mix
• Badminton Park Herbal
• Baileys No 9 All-Rounder
• Dengie Alfa-Easy
• Natural Horse Food Company Original

Competition mix

Why choose it?

If your horse works hard he will need all the energy he can get. Most performance mixes rely on high levels of starch, which is a fast-releasing energy source.

The downside is that if high levels of starch are fed, undigested material can force through the small intestine and reach the hindgut with severe consequences, such ascolic.

Remember to check that the feed is guaranteed for use in competition and is therefore free of banned substances.

Typical content

Grains such as oats, barley and maize provide the starch content in these mixes. Peas and beans provide protein and additional energy, and syrup or molasses bind the mix.

Manufacturers aim to maintain energy levels by increasing oil and digestible fibre to counteract problems associated with starch.

Oil is digested in the small intestine and will ’spare’ starch as an energy source, while fibre is digested in the hindgut and will also act as a water reservoir, so reducing dehydration.

Competition mixes also have higher-than-average levels of vitamins and minerals, and perhaps also a probiotic or yeast.

Examples

• Spillers HDF Sports Mix
• Dodson and Horrell Competition Country Mix,
• Allen & Page Competition Extra
• Winergy Advanced
• Badminton Hi-Profile Competition Mix
• Saracen Sports Horse Mix
• Baileys No 6 Performance Mix,
• Dengie Alfa-Extra
• Natural Horse Food Company Resolve

Conditioning mix

Why choose it?

Like some humans, there are horses that do not put on weight easily. This can be due to breed, age, temperament, metabolism or workload, or maybe pain, poor teeth, illness or a cold,damp environment.

Before choosing a feed to increase your horse’s weight, you should check you have eliminated all these factors.

Another reason for choosing to feed this type of mix could be to add condition for the showring.

Typical content

These feeds contain mostly slow-releasing energy sources to keep the horse calm while maintaining weight, so they are based on high-quality fibre and oil.

The oil in particular gives a good shine to the coat as well as maintaining weight. Full-fat soya is especially good, being high in both protein and oil.

Grains will probably be cooked to maximise the weight gain, so expect to see cooked, flaked or micronised barley in particular, since it is a more highly digestible energy source than oats.

Examples

• Dodson and Horrell Build Up
• Baileys No.17 Top Line Conditioning Mix,
• Badminton Show and Conditioning Mix
• Saracen Show Ring Mix
• Balanced’ Show Mix
• Allen & Page Calm and Condition
• Spillers Conditioning and Showing Mix
• Dengie Alfa-Extra
• Triple Crown Triple Top-up

Veteran mix

Why choose it?

Older horses often do not keep condition easily, and they digest and utilize protein less efficiently.

A diet that is 14-15 per cent protein will help to preventthe loss of top line, while aiding cell renewal and tissue repair.

As horses get older, the gut also becomes less efficient at absorbing trace elements, so higher levels of these are needed.

An older horse may be doing less work, so a dietthat is high in digestible fibre to provide slow-release energy is ideal, and it also reduces the risk of digestive upsets.

Typical content

These mixes usually consist of grass and alfalfa pellets, cooked grain such as barley and maize, peas and beans for protein, and additional fat such as soya oil.

Higher levels of vitamins and minerals are often included as older horses may not assimilate them quite so well. Considering those horses which may find it hard to chew, cereals may be cooked and fibre sources may be pellets or cubes rather than chaff, as these can be soaked and mashed.

Veteran feeds must be high in fibre as the older horse may not eat as much hay or grass as he once did, and fibre is essential to keep the gut healthy and generate internal heat.

Examples

• Dodson and Horrell Sixteen Plus
• Spillers Golden Years
• Saracen Veteran Mix
• Allen & Page Old Faithfu
• Baileys No 15 Senior
• Badminton Veteran Mix
• Balanced’ Horse Feeds Oldster
• Dengie Alfa-Senior
• Natural Horse Food Company Vetrus

Low-calorie mix

Why choose it?

Many horses and ponies carry more fat than they should – up to 80 per cent of the equine population could be considered overweight.

Low-calorie mixes are designed for working weight-watchers, such as native types, but even with these feeds it is important to remember the simple equation: energy in must equal energy out,otherwise it will be stored as fat.

Typical content

It is not healthy for overweight horses to be starved, as they need fibre continually to pass through the gut and require other nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals, which are essential for normal body functions.

A horse can’t store or synthesise many of these nutrients himself and so they have to be supplied in the diet each day.

The slimmer’s mix might consist of lots of fibre such as grass pellets,chaff and oatfeed, a high specification of vitamins and minerals, and a strictly limited amount of grain such as oats or barley. These type of mixes are often suitable for horses on box rest, too.

Examples

• Baileys Lo-Cal
• Allen & Page Slim and Healthy
• Badminton Lite n’ Dry
• Saracen Fibre Mix
• Natural Horse Food Company Winterway
• Triple Crown Even Keel

To achieve this, intake of carbohydrate (often eaten in the form of pasta) is increased several days before a race.

There is some debate as to whether it is safe to carbohydrate load a horse before an event, though many people actually do so without knowing it!

Some nutritionists believe it is possible to increase the cereal or concentrate portion of the ration by between 10 and 15 percent, up to three days before a competition.

Most medium- to high-energy concentrates will contain up to 30 per cent starch (a soluble carbohydrate) and therefore, a diet containing 3kg of concentrates, increased up to 4.5kg a day, will have a higher starch content of 450g.

If you were to do this, I would suggest you add an extra feed a day, rather than increasing the existing feeds. Also, bear in mind that there may well be added instant energy created by the breakdown of starch. If your horse has plenty of natural energy you may well push him over the top.

There are products, mainly from America, consisting of carbohydrate powders that are readily digested in the small intestine, creating a rise and fall of glucose in the body.

The danger would arise if these carbohydrates were taken through to the large intestine in huge amounts and digested with the aid of the beneficial bacteria, which are efficient in the breakdown of fibre.

This could lead to metabolic problems such as tying up, laminitis or colic. If your horse is prone to these types of problems, do not consider increasing his concentrate ration, rather, feed a product low in starch yet containing highly digestible fibre sources – checkthe feed bag for details.

Avoid feeding high levels of sugars such as table sugar before the ride, as the chemical make-up of these sugars consists of short chains which are broken down quickly, resulting in rapid glucose peaks and troughs.

However, many endurance riders allow their horses to drink drained sugar beet pulp water every few hours during a ride.

This contains sugars leeched from the molasses and is a good boost.If you do decide to increase your horse’s carbohydrateintake, give the extra feed within one to two hours following exercise, once he has cooled down, as this will allow optimum uptake by the muscles.

Remember to make any changes slowly and if you are not 100 per cent sure it’s making a difference, revert back to your tried-and-tested feeding regime.

In many cases a reduction in feed to equate to the extra energy being provided by the spring grass will solve the problem, while others would benefit from time being spent on schooling and the advice of a qualified instructor can be invaluable.

But if you wish to try a calmer, there are a range of products on the market. Some are designed to be fed on an on-going basis to regulate behaviour, while others are designed to be used only when necessary and are administered shortly before exercise.

“The most important factor is doing your research,” says nutritionist Lizzie Drury, from Saracen Horse Feeds. “What works for one horse may not work for another. Once you have chosen one, give it time to work.”

Competition riders also need to be aware that some calmers may contain ingredients that are not allowed under affiliated competition rules. If you are unsure about whether a calmer is allowed to be used in competition, contact the manufacturer and the relevant governing body for advice.

Horse calmers

Nupafeed Liquid Calmer

This organic, competition-legal, magnesium compound formula works to maintain a normal calcium:magnesium ratio and a normal release of adrenaline. It can be added to feed and the levels fed can be adjusted to suit individual horses. A top-up booster syringe is available for particularly stressful situations.

Tel: 01438 861900; visit: www.nupafeed-uk.co.uk

TopSpec Calmer

Designed for horses with anxious temperments or who cannot cope with stressful situations, this calms without reducing presence. It includes yeast, B vitamins and magnesium. It is apple flavoured, can be mixed into feed and is suitable for FEI competition. It starts to work in days, with a maximum effect in about 3 weeks

Tel: 0870 240 6596; visit: www.topspec.com

Feedmark Steady-Up Advance

This product contains a blend of herbs to help maintain calmness without reducing performance, and is suitable for long-term use. It is designed for horses showing signs of fear, anxiety, agression, spooking or over-excitability. Includes magnesium, B-complex vitamins, chamomile, lemon balm and yeast, and no synthetic sedatives. Can be added to feed.

Tel: 0800 585 525; visit: www.feedmark.com

Blue Chip Karma

Made from natural ingredients, Karma includes the water-soluble form of magnesium, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This supplement regulates blood pressure, maintains a healthy nervous system and relaxes muscles.

Tel: 0114 266 6200; visit: www.bluechipfeed.com

Net-Tex Carl Hester Pro-Mag Calm Boost

This can be given before stressful situations, such as travelling or clipping, to help soothe nerves and calm over-excitement. It contains magnesium glycinate and magnesium aspartate, as well as ginseng and vitamin B.

Tel: (01474) 813 999; visit: www.net-tex.co.uk/carlhester

Dodson & Horrell Placid

Containing chamomile and skullcap, which is renowned for its soothing properties, this herbal blend provides nutritional support for the nervous system, and is great for horses and ponies that are prone to excitability.

Tel: (0845) 345 2627; visit: www.dodsonandhorrell.com

Equine Herbals V-Calm

Although this should not be used for 24 hours before a competition, it may calm an excited horse in 20 minutes, and is suitable for use as a one-off treatment. It contains a herbal tincture of valerian from New Zealand.

Tel: (01208) 821 758; visit: www.equushealth.org.uk

Equiform Nutrition Stay Calm

Ingredients include natural flower remedies such as aspen, mimulus and rock rose. This powder is ideal for horses who become stressed and anxious, such as when travelling or competing.

Tel: (01270) 530 930; visit: www.equiformnutrition.co.uk

Horse First relaxMe

This supplement contains vitamins E and B, magnesium, thiamine hydrochloride, Yea Sacc and folic acid. It helps to relieve nerves, stress and excitability, as well as tummy upsets.

Tel: (02830) 251 195; visit: www.horsefirst.net

As most riders compete irrespective of the time of year, energy requirements tend not to increase for the summer season. However, access to grazing and the nutritional value of the grass will alter throughout the year and needs to be taken into consideration when formulating a feeding plan.

Energy levels

The type of work required from a dressage horse could be compared to a cross between weight building and ballet in human terms and requires the development of muscle.

Depending upon a horse’s natural ability and suppleness, dressage does not require huge intakes of energy and excess fat would hinder performance.

At least 50% of the dressage horse’s diet should be forage even when competing at top level. Fibre is accepted as being essential for the maintenance of a healthy gut. It reduces the incidence of stereotypic behaviour, as well as the likelihood of gastric ulcers and colic, helps maintain appetite and is a slow-releasing energy source.

If your horse loses weight easily, most of his additional concentrate feed should be slow-releasing cube or mix which is high in fibre and oil.

If he keeps weight on well, then any additional energy will be converted to extra fat. In this situation, your horse needs a small amount of fast-releasing energy. All starch-based feeds are high in this type of energy — look for one which are formulated to be fed at low levels.

A dressage diet should take into account:

• the work that the horse is doing
• how the horse copes with travelling
• the horse’s condition
• the temperament
• the management
• the quality of the forage
• the current diet
• the weather (are electrolytes needed?)
• the horse’s appetite

The professional rider

Riders competing at Prix St George level and above are familiar with the demands that top-level competitions place both on the horse and the rider at home and abroad. Most top horses are well adapted to travelling and competition stress as it is their normal routine.

These riders tend to increase the amount of salt they feed through the summer, and if the horses are in very hard work, they switch to electrolytes.

When travelling, top competitors don’t feed immediately before leaving, but will provide their horses with nets of hay or haylage for the duration of the journey.

British dressage rider Damian Hallam explains how he adapts his feeding regime during the year: “I compete all year round and all my horses except the two stallions are turned out. Most of my horses are doing at least an hour a day plus travelling to competitions.

“The stallions get extra feed in the spring as they fret off their condition. They are fed D&H Yearling Cubes, some Alfalfa Chaff and glug of oil a day.

“Many of my other horses are four-year-olds, who are in training and competing. I turn them out as much as possible. The spring and summer grazing means I can halve the amount of hard feed I use compared to their winter diet.

“I feed between 2 and 8lbs of D&H Yearling Cubes a day depending upon workload and body condition. They have a double handful of alfalfa chaff and a glug of soya oil, mostly for their coats rather than as energy source.

“I feed yearling cubes as these young horses still have a lot of muscle to build and the cubes are formulated for muscle development rather than fat.

“The young horses who keep weight on easily are on the lower levels of cubes, but to ensure that they are receiving the vitamins and mineral they require, I also give them a feed balancer

“With the recent hot weather, I am very aware of the need for electrolytes so all horses are having a daily dose after work. ”

An event horse’s energy can be obtained from fibre, starch and oil, and as the horse’s fitness increases and the demands placed on its body changes, the levels of each type of feed stuff required will change.

In the early stages of any fittening program the majority of energy should be derived from fibre sources including good quality hay or haylage. As the horse becomes fitter and its workload increases, more energy is required to maintain body condition and performance. Therefore, energy sources such as starch and oil become increasingly important.

Too much starch from cereals in the diet can cause problems, increasing the risk of digestive disturbances such as colic. Feeding oil, which contains nearly three-times more energy than starches, enables lower levels of starch to be fed and is ideal for animals with poor appetites.

The benefits of high oil feeds include improved levels of endurance and a reduction in the risk of some metabolic problems, such as azoturia. The energy provided by oil is digested and released slowly into the body, making it less likely to exacerbate excitable behaviour.

Feeding a compound feeds that has been specifically formulated to be high in both oil and fibre, but low in starch, will enable you to meet your horses energy requirements while keeping concentrate feed and starch intake down.

Top-dressing feeds with soya oil will also help to increase the horse’s calorific intake. However, extremely high levels of oil (more than 15% of the total diet) may adversely affect performance.

Protein for performance

Work and training are essential to correctly develop the muscles, but the protein content of the diet is also important. The horse continually uses protein, which are made up of chains of amino acids, to build and repair tissues including muscle. Horses can synthesise about half of these amino acids within their body, while the other half must be supplied in the diet.

The quality of protein in the diet is extremely important. A lower protein feed can perform better than one with a higher protein content, if the protein is of high quality. A horse that lacks good muscle development or does not maintain condition well may not be receiving sufficient high quality protein in its diet.

It is not advisable to feed excessive amounts of protein because this can place an extra burden on the horse’s metabolism as any excess must be broken down and excreted as waste.

It is also essential that the horse receives adequate levels of vitamin and minerals and electrolytes should be supplied once the horse is in hard work.

One of the biggest challenges is keeping the horse hydrated, although what you do will depend on the horse, how well it travels and how it copes with the excitement of competing.

The easiest horses to manage are those who drink happily when offered water during the journey and do not fret at or after the competition. Others can be more of a challenge.

It’s never bad to offer water to a horse. Of course, there is a risk of colic if your horse takes a long drink of icy water, but you can protect against this by taking the chill off the water first

Ask any two people in the horsebox park whether you should offer the horse hay while it’s at a competition and you’ll get different answers — some people worry that feeding forage will make the horse too “gutty” or heavy.

There is always going to be a balance between inner health and weight. Horses need some fibre for their digestive system to work at its best, but one kilo of hay can bind up to three times its weight in water as it passes through the hindgut.

Feeding some hay or haylage is a good thing for many reasons: it keeps a horse occupied and may help guard against gastric ulcers; the water it binds is useful against dehydration, and keeping to the daily routine means there’s one less dietary change on competition days, where the normal routine is affected by class times, evening competitions or a late return home.

The amount you feed and when you feed will depend on the horse and the time of the class. For instance, if you were travelling 3hr to a competition, it would be beneficial to offer a slice of hay or a small haynet of haylage as you leave.

Top tips

• Don’t offer large concentrate meals within 3hr of exercise. After eating, blood is redirected from the muscles to the digestive system
• For travelling, dusty forages should be soaked. Haylage that has dried out over the course of the day should be re-soake
• For poor drinkers, feed small meals of well-soaked sugar beet pulp that are more water than beet to maintain fluid intake
• Establish a feeding and watering routine for competition days