The Best Performance Diets for Horses

No matter the age of your horse, it is important that he receive proper nutrition for optimal health. Good nutrition is vital for any horse, but it is even more essential for performance horses. If you plan to show, race or trail ride your horse, you will need to make sure he is getting the nutrients he needs to do his best in the show ring, on the racetrack or out on the trail.

  1. Protein Considerations

    • Horses who are used for light riding or simply kept as companions can do very well on a commercial horse feed that contains 10-12 percent protein, but horses who are asked to perform at shows, rodeos, races, endurance rides and other strenuous activities will need more protein to nourish their muscles and help them recover from the stress of riding. If your horse will be used in these kinds of events, it is important to look for a horse feed that contains at least 14% protein. The more strenuous the activity, the more important protein is to the horse's diet.

    Quality Hay

    • Providing good quality forage for your performance horse is just as important as choosing top quality horse feed. Hay makes up a large percentage of the equine diet, and it is important to have quality hay available to your horse. If your horse will be performing in strenuous equine activities like endurance rides, rodeos or racing events, providing top quality alfalfa hay can boost his energy level and keep his muscles in top shape. For less strenuous events, good quality Timothy or grass hay is a good choice.

    Tailored Diets

    • When choosing feed for your horse, it is important to tailor his diet not only to the type of work he will be asked to do but his age and condition as well. Older horses may do better on a quality senior feed--these special feeds are designed to be more digestible and less irritating to the digestive tract. Pregnant and lactating mares also have special nutritional needs, so if you are planning to breed your performance mare, you will need to adjust her feed as well.

    More Frequent Feedings

    • Performance horses may benefit from more frequent feedings. Feeding your horse a lesser amount three or four times a day, as opposed to a large amount of food twice a day can enhance his digestive health and help him make better use of the protein he consumes. Before changing your horse's feeding schedule, be sure you will be able to stick to it and work it around your work and leisure schedule--consistency is important when it comes to feeding your horse.