How to Feed the Equine Athlete

Equine athletes, or racehorses, often require up to twice as much energy as non-working horses. They require special diets that make the most of their energy intake for maximum performance on the track. Since equine athletes are fed a different diet than a typical horse, this special feed should be introduced to the racehorse in training as early as possible to maximize the horse's racing prospects and ultimate athletic performance. From birth, horses should be fed a limited amount of hay and a higher percentage of a specially concentrated feed mix made with protein, fat and vitamin supplements. Hay feeding amounts increase as the horse ages.

Things You'll Need

  • Commercial horse feed
  • Hay
  • Oats
  • Vitamin supplements
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed weanlings bred for racing or performance a ratio of 30 percent hay to 70 percent concentrate. This concentrate feed should contain at least .7 percent lysine -- a primary growth-limiting amino acid -- at least .7 percent calcium and .5 percent phosphorus in feeds containing no more than 1.4 megacalories of digestible energy per pound. Oats that have been fortified with an acceptable amino acid source, as well as the mineral concentrations needed to provide the right calcium to phosphorus ratio, may be used. Oats and other grains are typically found in commercial feeds.

    • 2

      Feed yearlings a mix of 40 percent hay and 60 percent concentrate. A yearling's concentrate should include at least 14 percent crude protein, .6 percent lysine, .6 percent calcium and .4 percent phosphorus in a feed that contains 7 percent or more fiber and not more than 1.4 megacalories of digestible energy per pound.

    • 3

      Give long yearlings the same hay-to-concentrate mix provided to yearlings. As the horse begins race training, energy needs will increase. Horses should be fed forage and concentrate amounts ranging from 2 to 3 percent of its body weight each day.

    • 4

      Always provide hay for horses, regardless of the amount of grains and vitamins being supplemented in the concentrate. It is important to feed at least 1 percent of the horse's body weight in hay each day. Feeding too much hay will give the horse an undesirable "pot belly" look. Adult equine athletes should be fed a mix of 45 percent hay to 55 percent concentrate.