Feeding the Top Performer
vitamin E per pound of body weight and up to 5 milligrams total selenium per day. Selenium is toxic in relatively small amounts so take time to calculate the total in the whole diet.
Minerals Copper and zinc work together to produce healthy bones cartilage and connective tissue and improve stress tolerance and endurance. Too much zinc depresses copper absorption a ratio of 41 zinc to copper is best. A 21 ratio of calcium to phosphorus is ideal though horses can tolerate a ratio of up to 61. Magnesium is important for muscle function and a calm disposition the ratio to calcium should be no less than 12.
Most prepared mineral supplements are balanced. Never offer minerals freechoice overconsumption can result in systemic imbalances and toxicity.
Salt Electrolytes and Water
Your horse needs salt 1 to 2 5 ounces daily 2 to 5 tablespoons. A plain white salt block should always be available but some horses do not lick them adequately. Table salt can be offered free choice andor added to meals. Use noniodized salt if your horse already is getting iodine in his feed.
Hay is the best chloride source needed with salt so offer plenty before exercise.
Electrolyte preparations should be added when your horse is exercised andor heavily sweating but they do not satisfy the entire requirement the horse must be in proper sodium balance before using electrolytes. Electrolytes are added to simply replace what is lost from perspiration.
Adequate salt encourages water consumption even slight dehydration can negatively impact performance. Always offer clean fresh water salt andor electrolytes should never be added to the main water supply.
Optimal performance requires optimal nutrition. Provide a highquality healthful diet of forage protein omega3 fatty acids antioxidantsand minerals to help your equine athlete meet his toughest performance challenges.
