Racehorse trainers are responsible for the physical and psychological wellbeing of their horses. Feeding is an integral part of that responsibility, and trainers must ensure that their horses are receiving the right type and amount of nutrition to keep them healthy and performing at their best. But what do leading racehorse trainers feed their horses? In this article, we will explore the diets of some of the world’s top trainers and the reasons why they choose certain foods for their horses.
Types of Feed
Racehorse trainers feed their horses a variety of different types of feed, including hay, oats, and grains. Hay is a good source of fibre and essential vitamins and minerals, and is usually fed to horses in the form of hay cubes or haylage. Oats are a great source of energy and are often used as a treat or reward. Grains, such as corn, wheat, and barley, are also used to provide energy and are often combined with other feeds to create a balanced diet.
Nutritional Requirements
Racehorses have different nutritional needs depending on their age, size, and activity level. Young horses require more protein, minerals, and vitamins than adult horses, while older horses may require additional fibre. Racehorses also need additional energy to perform at their best, so trainers often feed their horses higher-energy feeds such as oats and grains.
Feeding Schedule
Leading racehorse trainers typically feed their horses twice per day, once in the morning and once in the evening. The amount of feed given depends on the horse’s size, age, and activity level, but most horses require 10-15 pounds of feed per day.
Feeding Supplements
In addition to regular feed, racehorse trainers may also give their horses supplements to provide additional vitamins and minerals. Common supplements include vitamins and minerals, joint support products, and electrolytes. These supplements can help horses perform at their best and stay healthy.
Importance of Water
Water is essential for horses to stay healthy and perform at their best. Racehorse trainers typically provide their horses with fresh, clean water at all times, and may also give them electrolytes to help them stay hydrated during intense exercise.
Feeding for Performance
Racehorses require a balanced diet to perform at their best. Leading racehorse trainers often feed their horses a variety of feeds to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need, as well as energy-rich feeds such as oats and grains. They may also give their horses supplements to provide additional vitamins and minerals.
Monitoring Nutrition
Leading racehorse trainers closely monitor their horses’ nutrition to ensure they are getting the right amounts of nutrients. They may also use blood tests to check for deficiencies, as well as body condition scoring to assess the horse’s overall health.
Feeding for Health
Racehorses require a balanced diet to stay healthy and perform at their best. Leading racehorse trainers typically feed their horses a variety of feeds to provide all the essential vitamins and minerals, as well as energy-rich feeds such as oats and grains. They may also give their horses supplements to provide additional vitamins and minerals.
Conclusion
Leading racehorse trainers understand the importance of feeding their horses the right type and amount of nutrition and use a variety of feeds and supplements to ensure their horses are getting all the nutrients they need. They also closely monitor their horses’ nutrition and use body condition scoring to assess their overall health. By following these practices, racehorse trainers can help their horses stay healthy and perform at their best.
References
- Hanson, C. (2020). Feeding the Racehorse: Nutrition for Optimal Performance. CRC Press.
- FETCH, E. (2012). Nutrition for the Racehorse. The Blood-Horse.
- McKinnon, A. (2020). Feeding Your Racehorse: What to Feed and When. American Racehorse Magazine.