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Feeding the Event Horse Before, During and After an Event
Whether a one, two or three day event, when and what you feed can help optimise performance.
Before
- If feeding a low energy feed, as workload steps up, increase the nutrient (vitamins, minerals, protein) and energy (calorie) density of the ration, either by changing to a competition feed or topping up the diet with a balancer.
- Consider adding oils to help promote stamina. This must be done a minimum of three to five weeks in advance to allow the horse’s system time to adapt to digesting more oil.
- Get your horse used to consuming electrolytes either in wet sloppy feed or in drinking water. Ensure he arrives at the event without a deficit by giving them whenever he sweats to replace any losses. “Preload” electrolytes preferably 1-2 hours prior to travelling to ensure that the horse arrives at the event as hydrated as possible.
- If you are planning to change your horse’s forage for the trip/competition eg. to haylage, get him eating it at home a couple of weeks in advance.
Travelling
- The further you travel the more energy the horse is likely to burn. It has been estimated that 20 minutes on the lorry is equivalent of 20 minutes walking.
- Gut bacteria may be disrupted, therefore, a prebiotic will help to maintain healthy gut function.
- Feed soaked hay or haylage on the lorry to keep dust down and moisture intake up.
- Feed concentrates at least 1-1.5hours before travelling to ensure efficient digestion.
- On long journeys, offer drinking water frequently – with electrolytes, if the horse will take them.
During
- Keep to your horse’s normal routine as far as possible.
- If possible, leave 3 to 4 hours after a concentrate feed before strenuous exercise. This allows the blood glucose levels to return to a stable level and ensures the blood supply is no longer concentrated round the digestive system.
- Forage can be available ad lib, unless the horse is likely to gorge himself, to maintain gut function and also the reservoir of fibre, water and electrolytes in the hind gut.
- Ensure adequate water and electrolytes are offered on a frequent basis. Electrolytes may be offered in a small amount of wet sloppy sugar beet to encourage consumption.
- Keep your horse interested in his feed by providing succulents etc....
After Cross Country
- Offer water and/or electrolytes as soon the horse shows an interest. The sooner the body is able to replenish lost salts, the sooner it can recover.
- Cold water is preferred over warm water as it helps to cool the horse.
 Contrary to popular belief, drinking large amounts of water during/after exercise does not cause colic, rather it helps to rehydrate thus reducing the risk of colic caused by dehydration.
- Offer an electrolyte solution again 1-2 hours after exercise to ensure the body is restored.
- Give your horse his normal feed at the end of each competition day. It is important that the energy and nutrient stores are replenished, thus bran mashes are not a good idea.
- If the horse is to be rested on returning home, the amount of concentrates fed may be reduced and the diet topped up with a balancer to maintain nutrient levels. Ensure plenty of good quality forage is always available.
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