April 4, 2024

Eat, Sleep, Compete, Repeat

When competing, it is important to consistently reflect on previous experiences in order to improve performance.

As we move from one competition to the next, it is key to consider what routine did and didn’t work. Combining what you learnt about your horse’s feeding routine with your feeding goal, you should implement any key changes to make your next competition better than the last. When it comes to feeding and feed management for the performance horse, particularly when involving travel, there are some key areas to consider.

Know your horse inside out

It may sound obvious, but the better you know your horse, the more likely you are to notice when something’s not right - this definitely applies when it comes to feed management. Knowing your horse’s typical forage and water intake at home and when competing away can make all the difference when it comes to performance gains.

Consistency is key!

When it comes to forage and concentrate feed, consistency is essential. Where possible, take forage with you or identify a stockist nearby where you can source your chosen M&T product. Where this is not possible, take as much M&T feed as you can safely to allow for a reasonable changeover when you arrive. Any change in feed should be done gradually over a period of 7-14 days, therefore a change in feed should only be done at last resort.

Don’t underestimate the value of preparation

This comes down to knowing what’s normal for your horse so that you can identify a potential problem (whether this is reduced water or forage intake while travelling or staying away) ahead of time and devise a solution or strategy to cope with these challenges. Ensure any new feeds that you may need have been introduced well ahead of time. Including small amounts in the daily ration means that the digestive system should be adapted to this product, and amounts should be increased when needed (still aim to make these increases gradual where possible).

Managing forage on the go

For most, travelling to and from competitions is an integral part of the competition season. However, it always comes with the risk of dehydration, stress, and potentially a period of reduced or completely suspended forage intake. Knowing how well your horse travels and monitoring their forage intake can provide essential feedback for areas where feed management can be improved going forward.

For more information on how we can support your performance horse’s journey through horse hay feeds, request a quote with our expert M&T team today.