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Nutrition's Impact on Expression & Movement

Posted by Stride Animal Health on Dec 26th 2022

Nutrition's Impact on Expression & Movement

Nutrition's Impact on

Expression & Movement

DRESSAGE SPOTLIGHT

Nutrition's Impact on

Expression & Movement

DRESSAGE SPOTLIGHT

Fluid and precise movements require both physical and mental suppleness, especially as events, like dressage, look for more and more refinement. Nutrition plays a key role in setting a horse up for success. A diet consisting of essential and functional ingredients can bring out the very best of a talented horse and rider, when combined with a solid conditioning program.


Building the right foundation

Two of the most critical times for any horse to receive the right nutrition are during pregnancy and lactation, the biggest risk being undernutrition that can result in:

      • Developmental orthopedic diseases, such as OCDs.1,2
      • Reduced nutrient transfer3,4,5 and growth rates across bones, organs (including the liver, heart, and kidneys) muscles and other tissues.6,7,8.

Underdeveloped joints add unnecessary challenges to the physical demands of training and growth throughout life. If you’re breeding, be sure to cover the essentials.

Now, assuming you have a prospect or adult horse, let’s take a look at some of the key components to increasing expression, and eliminating tension from nose to tail.


COLLECTION

Working through the back

Whether it’s a stout, compact reiner or a lofty, muscular dressage horse, most of their power comes from the hind end. When weight is shi to the back end, a horse is able to carry and propel themselves forward, allowing for lighter and freer movement in the front legs. These actions together create roundness through the back, developing the ideal collection you seek. In the show ring, everything from balance and rhythm, to more active and expressive movements, can be attributed to collection.

Build topline strength

(with protein and amino acids)

Horses receiving enough quality forage are rarely deficient in crude protein, but diets lacking in quality protein are much more common.

There are 10 amino acids that a horse must consume through the protein in their diet, called “Essential Amino Acids”. Of these 10, there are a few amino acids in which your horse is at a higher risk to be deficient. We call these “limiting amino acids”.

Lysine is at the top of the “limiting amino acids” list, and should always be a part of your horses' nutrition program.

Exercise will condition existing muscles, but building and repairing muscles requires essential amino acids, as well as nutrients. The more strenuous the exercise and progression of collection, the more support that horse will need to build their back muscles.

Current research suggests that giving your horse amino acids within 45 minutes after exercise so the body can best use those amino acids to build and repair muscles9.

Bonus Tips

What is quality protein? When we talk about quality protein, what we mean is protein that has an appropriate amino acid content. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. “Crude protein” is an estimate of the total AMOUNT of protein, but does not define which amino acids are present.

What about other amino acids? It’s important to note that amino acids work together, so the goal should be to provide a balanced mix, versus adding large amounts of a single amino acid. For performance horses, we recommend a feed that includes lysine, methionine and threonine on the guaranteed analysis - or providing an amino acid supplement.

Horses that need help building a stronger topline, are growing, or have increasing exercise demands may need additional support from an amino acid supplement such as Competitive Edge®.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

JOINTS & LEGS

Length and quality of gaits

Building strength and flexibility through the topline and core, helps your horse’s hind legs travel further under their body, creating more fluidity throughout the body and a swinging back.

In dressage horses, this may be channeled to enhance the expression in each movement, but all disciplines go through similar steps. A speed horse achieve a more efficient “pocket” for a faster turn around a barrel, or a reiner may look to “free up” their front end so their legs can pedal faster in a stop and slide further.

Whatever the goal, nutrition can play a part in both the length and quality of horses' strides. Next, let’s dive into the critical nutritional components for healthy and mobile joints.

Increase leg activity

by battling natural inflammation

As most athletes would, performance horses constantly battle low-grade joint inflammation from exercise and repeated movements. Low levels of inflammation are part of the body’s normal healing process.

Typically, the body can clear this inflammation on its own without intervention from drugs. However, horses that are in intense training programs or competing regularly may need help clearing inflammation.

If a horse is not able to clear inflammation quick enough, important structures within the joint, such as cartilage and synovial fluid, will start to thin and break down. In an effort to rebuild components of the joint that are slowly deteriorating, many people lean on supplements to help support the body’s natural recovery process.

Managing Inflammation, Naturally

A very special Omega 3, called “ETA” (eicosatetraenoic acid) is a secret weapon that your horse’s body can use to help better manage inflammation on its own. In fact, this unique Omega 3, has been proven to modulate the same inflammatory pathways as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the negative [ulcer-inducing] side effects10.

Studies have shown that horses supplemented with ETA Omega 3’s have improved range of motion in joints, and less pain associated with arthritis. This show-safe ingredient can be found in  Rewind® from Stride Animal Health.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

Increasing stride length

and range of motion

Researchers have found that serum-based bioactive proteins can help maintain joint mobility and ease joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity. 11,12

Unlike “nutritional proteins” with muscle-building amino acids, serum-based bioactive proteins (plasma) are “functional proteins” and support the body at a cellular level. Essentially, the plasma hunts down the parts of the body that seem to be in distress to support the natural healing process. For performance horses with mild, chronic inflammation from exercise, the joints are likely to go to the top of the priority list.

A study from Texas A&M University showed lengthened strides after only 14 days, when given to regularly exercised Quarter Horse geldings. Additionally, a measurable improvement in knee range of motion was also observed13,14.

Exclusive to Stride Animal Health, the plasma used in these studies can be found in Lifeline®+ Equine. There are over 600 published studies that support the many benefits of orally-dosed plasma, which also include support for improved immunity, digestion and stress-management.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

JOINTS & LEGS

Overall Joint Health

Trace minerals and a balanced diet may make the largest impact on joint health. Without proper amounts of copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids, your horse is destined for joint trouble - especially if your horse isn’t getting enough of them in their growing years. Before spending money on joint-specific supplements, be sure your horse is on a fully fortified feed at recommended feeding rates, or being given a horse-specific diet balancer such as Stride’s 101 Diet Balancer.

For any horses prone to poor bone development, arthritis or joint diseases like OCD, look for Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM. These three ingredients are backed by significant research, and can be found in OrthoMax by Stride Animal Health.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

More about ingredients for healthy bone development

  • Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage and is a functional component of helping your horse better tolerate shock and concussion. The less shock absorption that a joint has, the greater the risk for body soreness, chronic joint inflammation, joint breakdown, and arthritis.
  • Chondroitin Sulfate, due to its negative charge, is responsible for water retention of cartilage, which is important for pressure resistance to protect the joints from concussion and friction.
  • MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a source of organic sulfur and organic metabolites, critical to building the skeletal system, cartilage and connective tissue. Since joint components are constantly breaking down and being rebuilt, it is essential to have an adequate source of sulfur in the diet for that rebuilding process.

Joint and Muscle Recovery

Of course, our horses must be able physically to do what we ask of them. Supporting our horses physically not only includes proper conditioning and feeding enough to cover energy needs, but also aiding in their recovery.

If you’ve ever felt the aftermath of “leg day” at the gym, you understand that sore muscles are no joke. When reviewing feed and supplements, we recommend the following be included in the guaranteed analysis, for performance horses:

Bonus Nutrition

Chromium Propionate is a novel, new ingredient that helps cells within the body use and replenish energy stores more efficiently15, increasing recovery time. Chromium has also been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol and negative impacts of stress16.

Chromium Propionate can be found in Bluebonnet Feeds Intensify Omega Force and Ex-Factor Low Starch, as well as Stride Animal Health Gastro pHix, Ortho Max and Turbo Mag BCAA.

Specific amino acids have also been shown to support recovery, including:

  • Carnitine is another valuable amino acid which has been shown to help speed up recovery time after exercise, and lower the extent of muscle damage.
  • Leucine is a branched chain amino acid that has a direct impact in supporting muscle structure and muscle recovery time.

Feeding some of these natural aids may help your horse bounce back quicker between events and training days.


Relaxation and Mental Suppleness

Tension is one of the greatest obstacles to developing an elastic horse with fluid gaits and expressive movements. If your horse has stiff shoulders, they’ll struggle to reach and lengthen their strides. For many horses, especially while in training, this hindrance can not only be physical, but come from the mind.

Many horses never reach their full potential simply because they are naturally more anxious. You may have noticed yourself holding stress in your shoulders over time, resulting in tight and painful knots in your muscles. Your horses can experience the same physical repercussions of stress - be it mild stress from normal, daily activities or heightened stress during competition.

For these horses, there are two critical areas of a nutrition program that we recommend reviewing first, to promote relaxation and focus:

1. Prevent “sugar highs”

Beware of sugar-packed grains such as oats or sweet feeds.

Speed horses may need the boost from carbs for the racetrack. However, starch and sugar in these grains is very often to the detriment of performance horses who need more stamina and less excitability.

Review your feed tags for the total NSC content (non-structural carbohydrates). NSC is simply the total starch + sugar. Generally speaking, a feed with an NSC content of 22% or less is considered a “low starch/low carb” feed. Although, some horses (such as those with a metabolic condition) may require feeds with an even lower NSC content of 12% or less. When utilizing lower starch/lower sugar feeds for performance horses, it is often necessary that they contain higher fat levels to backfill needed calories and provide “cooler” energy sources.

If your feed tag doesn’t include guaranteed sugar and/or starch levels, look at the ingredient lists. The earlier it appears in the list, the more of that ingredient is included in that feed. Common ingredients that contain high levels of sugar and starch include cereal grains, such as:

      • corn
      • oats
      • wheat
      • barley
      • milo

For horses who are bigger worriers...or particularly spicy.

Look for a total NSC of 15% or less. Popular options from Bluebonnet Feeds include:Intensify Omega Force (15% NSC), Intensify Senior Therapy (12% NSC), Equilene Pro Care (13.5% NSC), Horseman's Elite Ultra Fat (13% NSC), and many more.

If your horse has starch/sugar sensitivities or a metabolic condition, Intensify Ex-Factor contains our lowest NSC content at 10%.

Be sure to also consider the sugar content in your hay, supplements, or treats (cookies, apples, carrots, etc.). Many grass hays, for example, can have significantly higher NSC levels than alfalfa - particularly cool season grass species such as timothy, brome, and orchardgrass.

2. Explore natural, show-safe options to help calm nerves, without losing responsiveness

It’s very common for horses to struggle with nerves, or get “hot” in the show pen. At the same time, when competing in events like reining or dressage, a vibrant and focused mind is required for an expressive performance. Owners, rightfully, shy from calming supplements due to the risk of a horse becoming dull and draggy.

However, when properly balanced, ingredients such as Magnesium Carbonate, Vitamin C, specific amino acids, as well as other vitamins and minerals, have been shown to help excitable and nervous horses - without making them dull.

A calm and focused horse must have a perfect balance of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.

These natural ingredients can be utilized by the body to influence neurotransmitters in the brain, to find the perfect balance of serotonin and dopamine levels. Engage, from Stride Animal Health, is uniquely formulated to calm a horse’s nerves, while keeping them focused and responsive.

Engage is a show-safe formula that can be given in preparation for competitions or stressful events such as travel, vet or farrier visits, or training sessions.

Support Chronic Stress

A high-stress horse, especially one that travels more often, is at a much higher risk for gastric distress and related issues, such as ulcers.

A digestive tract will often experience irritation due to an overly acidic stomach caused by empty stomach or stress. When fed in the right combination, ingredients such as seaweed-derived calcium/lithothamnion, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or magnesium oxide, can help buffer stomach acid, and support the protective layers of the stomach and small intestine.

Lithothamnion (seaweed-derived calcium), for example, reduced gastric ulcer scores an average of 2 grades when fed at 40 grams per day in research studies17.

Gastric buffer supplements, such as Gastro pHix, may be fed daily with feed, but also provide heightened benefit when fed just prior to riding. Try offering a gastric buffer as a snack while you groom and saddle up to help neutralize stomach acid.

Feeding Tip

Horse’s are designed to graze 24/7. Large meals, with extended periods of time without forage can cause gastric distress that often manifests into behavior issues. Slow-feeders or hay nets are a great way to slow down eating, and increase the number of chews. More chewing creates more saliva, which is the body’s natural buffer to stomach acid.


Conclusion

Whether their job is in the breeding barn or the performance arena, we want all of our horses to meet their potential and feel good doing it.

While research will continue to point us to new science and ingredients, a quality foundation to your horse's nutrition is the most important part and generally simple:

      • Remember that forage is the majority of your horse’s diet. Start with a quality, well-sourced hay supply, and test for the essential nutrients.
      • Provide a fortified feed to fill any nutrient gaps in your forage, increase calories as needed, and give additional support for exercise/recovery.

From there you can always look to supplements for your horses' specific needs - from joint support, to stress and recovery.

Nutrition Guide

MENTIONED FEEDS

Feed That Works Hard

All of these feeds provide extra support for performance and recovery with research-backed ingredients such as: organic trace minerals, essential amino acids, omega fatty acids and magnesium.

MENTIONED ADDED SUPPORT

Supplements with a Purpose

Each of these solutions are show-safe and backed by independent research, to help your horse feel their best.

Have questions, or want help putting together a feeding program? Sign up for a free nutrition consultation.

Popular Combinations

Feed Added Support Popular for

Topline & Muscle Development

Easing of joints from activity & aging

Supporting joints, bones, and cartilage

Working to increase stride lengths & expression in movements

Maximizing muscle & performance recovery | Tying Up & PSSM cases

Generally Anxious Horses

"Hot" or anxious performers

Metabolic-friendly diets or sugar-sensitive horses

None/low amounts

Forage-only or weight-loss diets

1 - P. Rossdale, J. Ousey, Fetal programming for athletic performance in the horse: potential effects of IUGR, Equine Vet Educ, 14 (2) (2002), pp. 98-112

2 - Becvarova, V. Buechner-Maxwell, Feeding the foal for immediate and long-term health, Equine Vet J, 44 (2012), pp. 149-156

3 - R.M. Streeter, T.J. Divers, L. Mittel, A.E. Korn, J.J. Wakshlag, Selenium deficiency associations with gender, breed, serum vitamin E and creatine kinase, clinical signs and diagnoses in horses of different age groups: a retrospective examination 1996-2011, Equine Vet J, 44 (2012), pp. 31-35

4 - A. Tauson, P. Harris, M. Coenen, Intrauterine nutrition: effect on subsequent health, N. Miraglia, W. Martin-Rosset (Eds.), Nutrition and feeding of the broodmare, EAAP (2006), pp. 367-386

5 - L. Lawrence, Nutrition of the dam influences growth and development of the foal, J. Pagan (Ed.), Advances in equine nutrition IV, Context (2009), pp. 151-160

6 - A.L. Fowden, Comparative aspects of fetal carbohydrate metabolism, Equine Vet J S, 24 (24) (1997), pp. 19-25

7 - P. Chavatte-Palmer, E. Derisoud, M. Robles, Pregnancy and placental development in horses: an update, Domestic Animal Endocrinology, Volume 79, 2022, 106692, ISSN 0739-7240, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2021.106692.

8 - P.D. Rossdale, J.C. Ousey, P. Chavatte, Readiness for birth: an endocrinological duet between fetal foal and mare, Equine Vet J S, 24 (24) (1997), pp. 96-99

9 - Graham-Thiers, P.M., and L.K. Bowen. 2021. The effect of time of feeding on plasma amino acids during exercise and recovery in horses. Translational Animal Science 5(2):txab045.

10 - Anti-cyclooxygenase effects of lipid extracts from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, Perna canaliculus. Published in Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part B 146 (2007) 346–356.

11 - Effect of bioactive protein supplementation on equine gait kinematics. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science 52 (2017) 64-72

12 - Administration of bioactive proteins to mature horses improves gait kinematics. Journal of Animal Science 92 E-Suppl (2014) 599.

13 - Hammer, Carrie, DVM, Ph.D. "Bioactive Proteins and Their Role in Horse Health." 14-15. The Modern Equine Vet. PercyBo, 15 July 2015.

14 - Bledsoe, David, DVM. "A Look at Serum-Based Proteins for Horses." thehorse.com, July 20, 2016

15 - Weekes, T. E. C. 1991. Hormonal control of glucose metabolism. In Proceedings of 7th International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology (ed. T. Tsuda, Y. Sasaki, and R. Kawashima), pp. 183. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, U.S.A

16 - Pagan, J. D., S. G. Jackson and S. E. Duren. (2018, March). The effect of chromium supplementation on metabolic response to exercise in thoroughbred horses. ker.com/published/the-effect-of-chromium-supplementation-on-metabolic-response-to-exercise-in-thoroughbred-horses

17 - The influence of feeding a high calcium, algae supplement on gastric ulceration in adult horses. Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition vol 4 e8 (2016) 1-3.

Fluid and precise movements require both physical and mental suppleness, especially as events, like dressage, look for more and more refinement. Nutrition plays a key role in setting a horse up for success. A diet consisting of essential and functional ingredients can bring out the very best of a talented horse and rider, when combined with a solid conditioning program.


Building the right foundation

Two of the most critical times for any horse to receive the right nutrition are during pregnancy and lactation, the biggest risk being undernutrition that can result in:

      • Developmental orthopedic diseases, such as OCDs.1,2
      • Reduced nutrient transfer3,4,5 and growth rates across bones, organs (including the liver, heart, and kidneys) muscles and other tissues.6,7,8.

Underdeveloped joints add unnecessary challenges to the physical demands of training and growth throughout life. If you’re breeding, be sure to cover the essentials.

Now, assuming you have a prospect or adult horse, let’s take a look at some of the key components to increasing expression, and eliminating tension from nose to tail.


COLLECTION

Working through the back

Whether it’s a stout, compact reiner or a lofty, muscular dressage horse, most of their power comes from the hind end. When weight is shifted to the back end, a horse is able to carry and propel themselves forward, allowing for lighter and freer movement in the front legs. These actions together create roundness through the back, developing the ideal collection you seek. In the show ring, everything from balance and rhythm, to more active and expressive movements, can be attributed to collection.

Build topline strength

(with protein and amino acids)

Horses receiving enough quality forage are rarely deficient in crude protein, but diets lacking in quality protein are much more common.

There are 10 amino acids that a horse must consume through the protein in their diet, called “Essential Amino Acids”. Of these 10, there are a few amino acids in which your horse is at a higher risk to be deficient. We call these “limiting amino acids”.

Lysine is at the top of the “limiting amino acids” list, and should always be part of your horses' nutrition program.

Exercise will condition existing muscles, but building and repairing muscles requires essential amino acids, as well as nutrients. The more strenuous the exercise and progression of collection, the more support that horse will need to build their back muscles.

Current research suggests that giving your horse amino acids within 45 minutes after exercise so the body can best use those amino acids to build and repair muscles9.

Bonus Tips

What is quality protein? When we talk about quality protein, what we mean is protein that has an appropriate amino acid content. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. “Crude protein” is an estimate of the total AMOUNT of protein, but does not define which amino acids are present.

What about other amino acids? It’s important to note that amino acids work together, so the goal should be to provide a balanced mix, versus adding large amounts of a single amino acid. For performance horses, we recommend a feed that includes lysine, methionine and threonine on the guaranteed analysis - or providing an amino acid supplement.

Horses that need help building a stronger topline, are growing, or have increasing exercise demands may need additional support from an amino acid supplement such as Competitive Edge®.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

JOINTS & LEGS

Length and quality of gaits

Building strength and flexibility, throughout the topline and core, helps your horse’s hind legs travel further under their body, creating more fluidity throughout the body and a swinging back.

In dressage horses, this may be channeled to enhance the expression in each movement, but all disciplines go through similar steps. A speed horse may perfect their form to achieve a more optimal “pocket” for a faster turn around a barrel, or a reiner may look to “free up” their front end so their legs can pedal faster in a stop and slide further.

Whatever the goal, nutrition can play a part in both the length and quality of horses' strides. Next, let’s dive into the critical nutritional components for healthy and mobile joints.

Increase leg activity

by battling natural inflammation

As most athletes would, performance horses constantly battle low-grade joint inflammation from exercise and repeated movements. Low levels of inflammation are part of the body’s normal healing process.

Typically, the body can clear this inflammation on its own without intervention from drugs. However, horses that are in intense training programs or competing multiple times per week may need help clearing inflammation.

If a horse is not able to clear inflammation quick enough, important structures within the joint such as cartilage and synovial fluid will start to thin and break down. In an effort to rebuild components of the joint that are slowly deteriorating, many people lean on joint supplements to help support the body’s natural recovery process.

Managing Inflammation, Naturally

A very special Omega 3, called “ETA” (eicosatetraenoic acid) is a secret weapon that your horse’s body can use to help better manage inflammation on its own. In fact, this unique Omega 3, has been proven to modulate the same inflammatory pathways as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but without the negative [ulcer-inducing] side effects10.

Studies have shown horses supplemented with ETA Omega 3’s have improved range of motion in joints and less pain associated with arthritis. This show-safe ingredient can be found in  Rewind® from Stride Animal Health.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

Increasing stride length

and range of motion

Researchers have found that serum-based bioactive proteins can help maintain joint mobility and ease joint stiffness due to normal daily exercise and activity. 11,12

Unlike “nutritional proteins” with muscle-building amino acids, serum-based bioactive proteins (plasma) are “functional proteins” and support the body at a cellular level. Essentially, the plasma hunts down the parts of the body that seem to be in distress to support the natural healing process. For a performance horse with low-grade chronic inflammation from exercise, the joints are likely to go to the top of the priority list.

A study from Texas A&M University showed lengthened strides after only 14 days, when given to regularly exercised Quarter Horse geldings. Additionally, a measurable improvement in knee range of motion was also observed13,14.

Exclusive to Stride Animal Health, the plasma used in these studies can be found in Lifeline®+ Equine. There are over 600 published studies that support the many benefits of orally-dosed plasma, which also include support for improved immunity, digestion and stress-management.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

JOINTS & LEGS

Overall Joint Health

Trace minerals and a balanced diet may make the largest impact on joint health. Without proper amounts of copper, zinc, calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids, your horse is destined for joint trouble - especially if your horse isn’t getting enough of them in their growing years. Before spending money on joint-specific supplements, be sure your horse is on a fully fortified feed at recommended feeding rates, or being given a horse-specific diet balancer such as Stride’s 101 Diet Balancer.

For any horses prone to poor bone development, arthritis or joint diseases like OCD, look for Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and MSM. These three ingredients are backed by significant research, and can be found in OrthoMax by Stride Animal Health.

Amino Acid Supplement for Horses.

More about ingredients for healthy bone development

  • Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage and is a functional component of helping your horse better tolerate shock and concussion. The less shock absorption that a joint has, the greater the risk for body soreness, chronic joint inflammation, joint breakdown, and arthritis.
  • Chondroitin Sulfate, due to its negative charge, is responsible for water retention of cartilage, which is important for pressure resistance to protect the joints from concussion and friction.
  • MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a source of organic sulfur and organic metabolites, critical to building the skeletal system, cartilage and connective tissue. Since joint components are constantly breaking down and being rebuilt, it is essential to have an adequate source of sulfur in the diet for that rebuilding process.

Joint and Muscle Recovery

Of course, our horses must be able physically to do what we ask of them. Supporting our horses physically not only includes proper conditioning and feeding enough to cover energy needs, but also aiding in their recovery.

If you’ve ever felt the aftermath of “leg day” at the gym, you understand that sore muscles are no joke. When reviewing feed and supplements, we recommend the following be included in the guaranteed analysis, for performance horses:

Bonus Nutrition

Chromium Propionate is a novel, new ingredient that helps cells within the body use and replenish energy stores more efficiently15, increasing recovery time. Chromium has also been shown to reduce the levels of cortisol and negative impacts of stress16.

Chromium Propionate can be found in Bluebonnet Feeds Intensify Omega Force and Ex-Factor Low Starch, as well as Stride Animal Health Gastro pHix, Ortho Max and Turbo Mag BCAA.

Specific amino acids have also been shown to support recovery, including:

  • Carnitine is another valuable amino acid which has been shown to help speed up recovery time after exercise, and lower the extent of muscle damage.
  • Leucine is a branched chain amino acid that has a direct impact in supporting muscle structure and muscle recovery time.

Feeding some of these natural aids may help your horse bounce back quicker between events and training days.


Relaxation and Mental Suppleness

Tension is one of the greatest obstacles to developing an elastic horse with fluid gaits and expressive movements. If your horse has stiff shoulders, they’ll struggle to reach and lengthen their strides. For many horses, especially while in training, this hindrance can not only be physical, but come from the mind.

Many horses never reach their full potential simply because they are naturally more anxious. You may have noticed yourself holding stress in your shoulders over time, resulting in tight and painful knots in your muscles. Your horses can experience the same physical repercussions of stress - be it mild stress from normal, daily activities or heightened stress during competition.

For these horses, there are two critical areas of a nutrition program that we recommend reviewing first, to promote relaxation and focus:

1. Prevent “sugar highs”

Beware of sugar-packed grains such as oats or sweet feeds.

Speed horses may need the boost from carbs for the racetrack. However, starch and sugar in these grains is very often to the detriment of performance horses who need more stamina and less excitability.

Review your feed tags for the total NSC content (non-structural carbohydrates). NSC is simply the total starch + sugar. Generally speaking, a feed with an NSC content of 22% or less is considered a “low starch/low carb” feed. Although, some horses (such as those with a metabolic condition) may require feeds with an even lower NSC content of 12% or less. When utilizing lower starch/lower sugar feeds for performance horses, it is often necessary that they contain higher fat levels to backfill needed calories and provide “cooler” energy sources.

If your feed tag doesn’t include guaranteed sugar and/or starch levels, look at the ingredient lists. The earlier they appear in the list, the more of that ingredient is included in that feed. Common ingredients that contain high levels of sugar and starch include cereal grains, such as:

      • corn
      • oats
      • wheat
      • barley
      • milo

For horses who are bigger worriers...or particularly spicy.

Look for a total NSC of 15% or less. Popular options from Bluebonnet Feeds include:Intensify Omega Force (15% NSC), Intensify Senior Therapy (12% NSC), Equilene Pro Care (13.5% NSC), Horseman's Elite Ultra Fat (13% NSC), and many more.

If your horse has starch/sugar sensitivities or a metabolic condition, Intensify Ex-Factor contains our lowest NSC content at 10%.

Be sure to also consider the sugar content in your hay, supplements, or treats (cookies, apples, carrots, etc.). Many grass hays, for example, can have significantly higher NSC levels than alfalfa - particularly cool season grass species such as timothy, brome, and orchardgrass.

2. Explore natural, show-safe options to help calm nerves, without losing responsiveness

It’s very common for horses to struggle with nerves, or get “hot” in the show pen. At the same time, when competing in events like reining or dressage, a vibrant and focused mind is required for an expressive performance. Owners, rightfully, shy from calming supplements due to the risk of a horse becoming dull and draggy.

However, when properly balanced, ingredients such as Magnesium Carbonate, Vitamin C, specific amino acids, as well as other vitamins and minerals, have been shown to help excitable and nervous horses - without making them dull.

A calm and focused horse must have a perfect balance of serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain.

These natural ingredients can be utilized by the body to influence neurotransmitters in the brain, to find the perfect balance of serotonin and dopamine levels. Engage, from Stride Animal Health, is uniquely formulated to calm a horse’s nerves, while keeping them focused and responsive.

Engage is a show-safe formula that can be given in preparation for competitions or stressful events such as travel, vet or farrier visits, or training sessions.

Support Chronic Stress

A high-stress horse, especially one that travels more often, is at a much higher risk for gastric distress and related issues, such as ulcers.

A digestive tract will often experience irritation due to an overly acidic stomach caused by empty stomach or stress. When fed in the right combination, ingredients such as seaweed-derived calcium/lithothamnion, calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or magnesium oxide, can help buffer stomach acid, and support the protective layers of the stomach and small intestine.

Lithothamnion (seaweed-derived calcium), for example, reduced gastric ulcer scores an average of 2 grades when fed at 40 grams per day in research studies17.

Gastric buffer supplements, such as Gastro pHix, may be fed daily with feed, but also provide heightened benefit when fed just prior to riding. Try offering a gastric buffer as a snack while you groom and saddle up to help neutralize stomach acid.

Feeding Tip

Horse’s are designed to graze 24/7. Large meals, with extended periods of time without forage can cause gastric distress that often manifests into behavior issues. Slow-feeders or hay nets are a great way to slow down eating, and increase the number of chews. More chewing creates more saliva, which is the body’s natural buffer to stomach acid.


Conclusion

Whether their job is in the breeding barn or the performance arena, we want all of our horses to meet their potential and feel good doing it.

While research will continue to point us to new science and ingredients, a quality foundation to your horse's nutrition is the most important part and generally simple:

      • Remember that forage is the majority of your horse’s diet. Start with a quality, well-sourced hay supply, and test for the essential nutrients.
      • Provide a fortified feed to fill any nutrient gaps in your forage, increase calories as needed, and give additional support for exercise/recovery.

From there you can always look to supplements for your horses' specific needs - from joint support, to stress and recovery.

Nutrition Guide

MENTIONED FEEDS

Feed That Works Hard

All of these feeds provide extra support for performance and recovery with research-backed ingredients such as: organic trace minerals, essential amino acids, omega fatty acids and magnesium.

MENTIONED ADDED SUPPORT

Supplements with a Purpose

Each of these solutions are show-safe and backed by independent research, to help your horse feel their best.

Have questions, or want help putting together a feeding program? Sign up for a free nutrition consultation.

Popular Combinations

Feed Added Support Popular for

Topline & Muscle Development

Easing of joints from activity & aging

Supporting joints, bones, and cartilage

Working to increase stride lengths & expression in movements

Maximizing muscle & performance recovery | Tying Up & PSSM cases

Generally Anxious Horses

"Hot" or anxious performers

Metabolic-friendly diets or sugar-sensitive horses

None/low amounts

Forage-only or weight-loss diets

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