Fit not Fat - feeding the show horse

Fit not Fat – Feeding The Show Horse

Kate Redley

“Well, he’s a nice horse, but he would do better in the show ring if he had more condition”. This is something many horse owners hear when taking the first steps into unaffiliated showing, but how exactly should this be interpreted, and how do you achieve this without compromising your horse’s temperament?

First of all, take a step back and have a good look at your horse. Are his ribs well covered, and can they be felt without being seen? Does he have a nice, rounded belly? If he has a good covering, introducing a Showing or a Conditioning Mix could cause your horse to become overweight, excitable, or potentially increase the risk of laminitis. Imagine weighing the heavier side of half a tonne and being asked to perform athletic movements in front of an audience – it would be very difficult! If your horse has a good covering, needing more condition could simply be a matter of needing a bit more muscle tone, or even a shinier coat.

Feeding to help develop muscle tone can be done in just a couple of easy steps.

• Check the level of protein within the diet. Quality protein provides building blocks for muscle, and is a good stepping stone towards maintaining top line. A feed with at least 10% quality protein will provide plenty of help in the development of muscles. A simple maintenance cube or mix should provide this – you do not need a high calorie mix in order to provide quality protein.
• Regular exercise is essential in the development of muscle. An overweight horse can lack top line, even if they appear to be well rounded. Even several regular brisk walks round the block, or on the lunge will help improve fitness and help to develop muscle whilst daylight is limited, not to mention improving your horses stamina for harder work. Working a horse in the correct way will help to develop muscles in the right places. 
• Improving over all condition and appearance doesn’t have to be difficult, and should not have to involve feeding hundreds of lotions and potions. An all round, well balanced feed should provide ample vitamins and minerals which will contribute to your horse’s well being. A deficiency in essential nutrients may cause your horse to appear dull or feel flat. Look for a complete diet which supports all round health, hooves, skin and coat etc such as SPILLERS® Cool Concentrate for the good doer, where condition is supported without excess calories, or SPILLERS® Conditioning Mix or SPILLERS® Conditioning Cubes for those needing to gain or maintain weight and top line.

Whatever type of horse you have, and whatever discipline you choose to do with him, remember that fit, not fat, is the key to a healthy, happy horse, and a successful competition season.

For friendly advice about feeding for the showing season, contact the SPILLERS® Care-line on 01908 226626 or careline@spillers-feeds.com,.