Timing of Meals for Horse Health and Performance

performance event and if you do the math you will see that it isnt unusual to have our horses working hard within two to three hours of a meal of starch. That high energy meal fed on the morning of the event could be the reason your horse fatigues more quickly than you were experiencing at home or in training. Timing of high energy meals is very important to maximize the energy benefit derived from them.
What About Feeding After Exercise?
Performance horses need to be allowed to refuel their muscles after a hard work event but in general it is advisable to feed hay only for at least two hours after hard work. Small meals of concentrate can be offered after that time. Electrolytes may also be provided and water should always be available.
Recommendations
In general it is always advisable to feed our horses small but regular meals of a good quality forage. Welltimed forage meals do not have the same effect on the glucoseinsulin metabolic process that many concentrates do and will also help prevent boredom and stressrelated issues like gastric ulcers. Small meals of good quality forage will also help your horse carry adequate water in his hindgut. Adequate water for the performance horse is critical for hindgut health and healthy metabolism.
Avoid feeding high starch sugar andor fat meals on the morning of the performance event or within three hours of performance. For best results high energy meals like grain or fat sources should be fed the night before the competition. Care immediately after performance should include good quality hay water and possibly electrolytes with concentrates being reserved for feeding three hours or later after the work.