Feeding Horses Before Competition

Successful equestrians see to every detail prior to competition, from shining their boots to perfectly grooming their horses. But where and how does feeding the horse fit into the busy show-day schedule?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions of the equine nutrition staff at Kentucky Equine Research. Studies have been performed to assess the effects of feeding hay and concentrates at different times prior to exercise, as well as feeding only hay or allowing pasture access.

Feeding hay before or with the horse’s concentrate meal significantly reduced the animal’s glycemic response to its grain meal. Insulin production following the meal was also reduced. Overall, feeding grain before exercise with or without hay reduced free fatty acid availability and increased glucose uptake into the working muscle; this result would not be beneficial for horses competing in prolonged speed and endurance events, such as eventing cross-country.

Feeding only forage prior to exercise resulted in a reduced effect on glycemic and insulin response, but also an increased heart rate when galloping, perhaps due to the weight of the material in the gut. Allowing horses to graze in a paddock did not have this effect.

In summary:

• Feeding hay along with grain will result in a decrease of plasma volume and increase in body weight, which may be detrimental to performance.
•  Feeding grain with or without hay reduces the availability of free fatty acids and increases working muscle’s uptake of glucose, which is not ideal for prolonged exercise.
• Feeding only forage before competition does not appear to interfere with the availability of free fatty acids and has no adverse effects other than possibly reducing plasma volume and increasing body weight. Feeding the forage in small amounts, or allowing limited time in a small paddock, will likely minimize these effects.

Because completely withholding forage may lead to stomach ulcers, the slight risk of affecting performance is more than outweighed by the potential benefit to the horse’s long-term health and well-being.

Read more from Advances in Equine Nutrition III.

Want more information? See a Q&A on feeding horses before competition.