Racehorses are arguably the ultimate equine athletes and when it comes to nutritional needs they are in a class of their own.  Nutrition has a massive impact on a racehorse’s performance, health and well-being so getting the balance right with the correct diet is essential.

However, it is important to remember is that whilst racehorses work at a more intense level than many horses, their fundamental needs remain the same to ensure optimum digestive health and condition. Lisa Elliott MSc – Equine Nutrition Solutions gives us the lowdown on feeding racehorses for health and performance through the right diet and management:

Forage

As for all horses, forage (grass, hay and haylage) is essential for racehorses to provide a source of energy for work and promote good digestive health and should always form the main part of the diet.  All horses should receive a minimum of 1.5 and ideally 2% of their bodyweight (BW) in forage dry matter (DM) per day fed on an ad-lib basis so they are never without.

Ad-lid Forage not only provides a good source of energy for racehorses but also helps to keep their gut functioning well and prevent common digestive problems like ulcers.  Research has shown that providing a variety of forages will not only increase intake but can also help reduce stereotypical behaviour, which is often associated with ulcers, so feeding a mix of them can be really beneficial. Forage quality is key with racehorses as the better the quality the better it is digested and the more energy the horse can get from it. This is supported by recent studies which have shown that horses can be raced successfully off good forage and fibre alone, but the determining factor is the quality of that forage.

Forage is digested by microbes in the hindgut through fermentation which ends with the release of Volatile Fatty Acids (VFAs) acetate, butyrate and propionate. Propionate can then be converted to sugar providing a source of fast release energy to fuel performance and the better the microbes can digest the forage the higher the levels of propionate produced will be. Access to good grazing is the ideal choice in terms of the fibre and energy it supplies for a racehorse, but good quality hay and haylage can also make a significant contribution.

Coligone Powder and Liquid contain generous levels of key pro and pre-biotics, namely, scFOS, MOS and Yea-sacc to support hindgut microbes and help maintain a healthy, balanced hindgut for optimal digestive health. Yea-sacc in particular has been scientifically proven to not only nurture these all important microbes but also improve fibre digestion, helping a racehorse to get even more out of their forage to support optimum performance.

Protein

Due to the increased demands for muscle repair and the changes to muscles as part of conditioning for races, racehorses have an elevated requirement for protein. Like forage, however, it is the quality of protein fed that is key to how well it can be digested and utilised by the horse.

Amino acids provide the building blocks for protein and there are 10 so called ‘essential’ amino acids that need to be provided within the diet.  Ensuring racehorses have access to fresh grass and good quality hay and haylage will help meet these needs but UK forage can be low in lysine, which is the first limiting amino acid, and without which proteins needed for muscles cannot be made.

A good balancer which provides lysine and a range of other essential amino acids, will further help ensure the protein needs of the average racehorse are fully met. MultiVit Pro also supplies a range of essential amino acids and will help provide quality protein to support optimal muscle function, integrity and performance.

Digestible Fibre

Sources of digestible fibre can provide an additional energy boost for a racehorse and will help support the all-important hindgut microbes, which is essential for good digestive health. Recent studies have shown that digestible fibre provides an excellent source of energy for racehorses, resulting in increased propionate which can then be used to fuel performance.

Coligone Fibre Cubes are high in digestible fibre with 5% coligone to enhance digestion, support hindgut microbes and help maintain healthy gastric acid levels, and can be fed daily to support training and performance, whilst supporting overall digestive health.

Oil

Fats and oils pack a powerful energy punch, containing up to 2.5 times more energy than cereals and are ,therefore, a very useful calorie source. Oil is a source of slow release energy and is known to have a ‘glycogen’ sparing effect. This means oils and fats can be used to provide energy at lower intensities instead of breaking down glycogen (the storage form of starch and sugar in the muscles and liver) which helps to spare the glycogen for when it’s really needed for faster work. In this way introducing oil to a racehorse’s diet can help maximise stamina and sustained energy throughout a race and could be particularly beneficial for longer races and steeplechases

Feeding an oil based supplement like ExSelenium oil will not only provide an energy boost in the form of sustained energy but will also have the bonus of providing essential levels of Omega 3 fatty acids. which help to boost immunity and overall health, which is important for hard working horses.

Vitamins and Minerals

Due to increased exercise demands, racehorses have an increased need for the full range of vitamins and minerals, including anti-oxidants like vitamin E to support cell recovery and repair after exercise and B vitamins which have a role in energy metabolism.

Feeding good quality forage alongside a high specification balancer or supplement like MultivtiPro, which supplies a full range of essential vitamins and minerals should help meet the average racehorse’s micronutrient needs for optimum performance.

Additionally, Coligone Powder and liquid are packed with naturally occurring vitamins and minerals along with proven pre and pro-biotics to support to the gut microbiome and boost fibre fermentation. Gut microbes produce essential B vitamins from fermentation so improving that process means an increased production of B vitamins for  maximum energy metabolism.

Water and Electrolytes

Fluid balance is essential for equine athletes like racehorses,  with water being probably the most important but yet forgotten nutrient in a horse’s diet. There are 5 main electrolytes within a horse’s body, the three most vital being sodium, chloride, which together we all know as basic salt, and potassium, alongside smaller levels of calcium and magnesium. All of these need to remain at the correct levels alongside water to maintain optimal fluid balance and any loses through sweat following hard work will need to be replaced.

Good quality forage, which is often high in potassium, free access to salt and a good balancer or vitamin and mineral supplement will help replenish any loses after a race along with access to fresh water.  Water should never be withheld after exercise and horses should be allowed to drink whatever they need to restore equilibrium.

Coligone Healthy Licks provide an excellent source of free choice salt to help meet daily needs, which is essential for good fluid balance. The salt provided within Coligone Healthy Lick also has the added bonus of supporting optimal digestive health. The high-levels of calcium within Coligone Healthy Lick will also help support bone health and integrity and a healthy nervous system to help maintain calmness. Coligone Healthy Lick can also be used in the stable to encourage natural foraging behaviour and help reduce stress.

By considering the basic nutritional needs of racehorses and reflecting this within their feeding and management routine, we can help minimise stress and digestive issues, maximise digestive health and optimise performance throughout their racing career.

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If you have any questions about creating the best diet for your horse and keeping your horse healthy through the right nutrition, please contact Coligone – 0333 0503785/07986 183616 or sales@hbradshaws.co.uk