What nutrition does a sport horse need?

Sport horses perform intensive work on a daily basis. Whether it is show jumping, dressage, eventing or other disciplines, a balanced diet plays an important role in maintaining energy, muscle strength and recovery. Proper nutrition not only supports performance, but also contributes to the overall health of the horse.

Sport horses generally have higher energy requirements than leisure horses. In addition to good quality forage such as hay or haylage, it may be necessary to provide additional concentrate feed. Feeds rich in energy, fibre and easily digestible nutrients help provide the horse with sufficient fuel without overloading the digestive system.

Brands such as Saracen, Spillers and Dodson & Horrell offer a range of feeds specifically developed for sport horses. These feeds are formulated to release energy gradually, which is important for horses that train regularly or compete.

Besides energy, muscle support is also essential. Proteins, vitamins and minerals contribute to recovery after exercise and help maintain the horse’s condition. It is therefore important to adapt the diet to the horse’s training level, age and physical condition.

By finding the right balance between forage, concentrate feed and supplements, a sport horse can perform optimally and remain healthy.