By Clare Lockyer BSc. (Hons) - SPILLERS® Technical Manager & Registered Nutritionist
The show season is now just around the corner and whether you intend to compete for the first time at Riding Club shows or you are a serious competitor, now is the time to think about what affects your horse’s performance. The factors you need to consider include genetics, training and nutrition.
Feeding plays a very important role in how your horse performs and in his general well being. Feeding a balanced diet is just as important to your horse’s performance as to that of an Olympic Three Day Event horse. It is impossible to tell the nutritional quality of your pasture without going to the expense of having it tested, so it is very important to supply additional nutrients. This may be in the form of a compound feed or a supplement.
Most Riding Club horses and ponies are in light work and need to be fed accordingly. Choose a low energy feed for example SPILLERS® Horse and Pony Cubes or SPILLERS® Cool Mix™. In recent trials with SPILLERS® Cool Mix™, 8 out of 10 owners reported an improvement in coat and overall condition in only six weeks. Remember, like people, horses vary tremendously in their feed requirements. If you have good grass or a native type, you may well have to feed a lot less than the manufacture recommends. This is fine but you will need to make up for the shortfall in vitamins and minerals by adding in a broad spectrum supplement e.g. EQUIVITE® Supplement.
Low energy feeds are also ideal for competition horses that don’t require the extra energy competition feeds supply. Manners and rideability are important whether in the show ring or riding a dressage test, so don’t be tempted to over feed, or feed large amounts of high cereal mixes. Too much cereal starch in the diet can exaggerate natural exuberance. Where extra energy is required look for feeds that supply energy from digestible fibre and oil. These are both slow releasing energy sources ideal for horses requiring stamina energy and those that tend to get fizzy when fed cereals. SPILLERS® RESPONSE™ Slow Release Energy Cubes and Mix use digestible fibre and oil to replace some of the energy traditionally supplied by cereals and are the perfect choice for event, endurance and competition horses.
If you are showing or have a horse that requires extra condition you may try adding in a conditioning feed to partially or completely replace your base feed. SPILLERS® Horse and Pony Cubes used in combination with SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes or SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix are proven to build condition without flab. Remember, it can be detrimental to the health of your horse if he is overweight, therefore be careful not to comprise health in the quest for show condition.
Which ever feeding regime you choose careful planning is needed on the day of the competition or show. Horses thrive on routine, so try as best as possible to keep to that routine. Travelling can be very stressful for horses, therefore allow plenty of time to arrive at the venue. Supply a good quality hay or haylage in the lorry and offer water on the way if you are travelling a long way. Offer forage and water regularly throughout the day. Short chop forages such as SPILLERS HAPPY HOOF® are ideal to take to shows to offer in between classes.
If you would like to discuss any aspects of feeding the competition horse or have any feeding questions, please contact the SPILLERS® Care-Line on 01908 226626 or fill in the Care-Line enquiry form.