Travelling
Feeding the competition horse is often quite a daunting task. However, ultimately, the aim of nutrition for the competition horse, is simply to ensure the horse is fit enough to cope with the required level of work and that the rider has the necessary control, power and stamina needed for the discipline at the appropriate time. This all occurs in the context of maintaining an appropriate body condition score.
Good nutrition for the competition horse can fairly simply be achieved through matching the energy level of a specific feed to the level of work the horse is doing, while also ensuring that you are supplying the horse with the correct type of energy sources. For example providing cereal grains can be ideal when fast release energy is needed (ideal for horses working for short bursts such as show jumping or racing, or for those that have a laid back temperament) while fats and high fire can be ideal when slow release energy is needed (for example for dressage or showing or if the horse becomes very hot and/or needs extra body condition).
However, there are other aspects to the competition process that are often overlooked by competitive riders in their preparation.
The effect of transportation
Horses are often transported far and wide around the country to attend shows and whilst some manage this with no issues at all, others struggle with stress, weight loss and even fatigue.
Weight loss during transport is a common issue for horses and some horses can loose 2-3kg per hour while being transported (Marlin, 2007). Most of this is due to loss of water and thus for transportation of over an hour’s duration adequate water must be provided at all times, or water provided in the required amount at regular stops. Soaking hay that is provided to horses in the box can be a way of ensuring your horse receives more water while on the move, especially if he can be fussy about drinking away from home. It also has the advantage of cutting down on dust particles within the confined space of the horse box.
Whilst most weight loss during trucking is due to the water loss, some is also to do with the amount of energy a horse has to expend during transport. There have been numerous studies on the subject, with both trailers and bigger horse boxes/floats being compared and analysed. The studies have suggested that the amount of energy a horse uses during transport is in the region of the equivalent amount of walking (Marlin, 2007). So two hours’ worth of travelling would be equivalent to approximately two hours of extra walking for your horse. The implication of this is that transport is tiring for horses and thus expecting your horse to travel long distances and then compete is not ideal for performance and the same would apply to going home. Human athletes do not travel long distances and immediately compete as the effect of travel on performance is well known and the same would apply for the horse.
How does transportation affect the diet?
So how does the effect of transportation affect the diet? Put simply, if the horse uses more energy than he is eating then weight loss is likely to be seen. This weight loss may initially be difficult to notice, but the reduced energy levels leading to poor performance at the show are often noted. Therefore, when looking at your horse’s diet prior to competition its worth factoring in how much extra energy he is going to need to cover his transport time. You can then make the necessary changes ahead of time to ensure the horse is adequately prepared.
Transport timing
Although timing of transportation may affect when a horse is fed, for example, when a horse leaves early before breakfast has been given, the horse can always be provided with extra hay prior to or during travel with his normal amount of concentrate feed per day being split into several meals on arrival. Always avoid cutting feeds out prior to competition as this can affect your horse’s performance. Also note, that no horse should ever go more than four hours at any time, including during transportation or competition, without having something to eat as this increases the risk of colic and gastric ulcers. Making hay available at all times, can allow your horse to keep his digestive system in top condition ahead of the event.
Doing the maths
Whilst every horses is different and fitter horses may use less energy, it’s thought that roughly one hour’s worth of walking would use in the region of 2-4MJ of energy, so if travelling is considered the equivalent of walking then every hour of travel would use 2-4MJ energy.
Therefore if you travel for four hours prior to a show that’s 8-16MJ of extra energy your horse will need.
If we work on the maximum number here (16MJ) that is the equivalent of around:
3.2kg of quality teff; or
2.2kg kg of quality lucerne; or
1.3kg of a light-medium energy level feed (at 12MJ per kg); or
1.45kg of sugarbeet (before soaking); or
1.2kg of oats (on average).
All of the amounts above are on top of the normal amount of feed provided each day.
Although generally with horses you want to make all changes to the diet gradually, if the horse is simply getting a bit more of the same feed/hay that he already receives as part of his diet then you don’t have to make the changes too far in advance. However, if you are planning to add in an extra new product that your horse does not normally receive in his diet, then make sure you do so plenty of time ahead of the competition, to allow your horse to adapt to any changes without putting his digestive system at any risk.
Take-home message
Keeping in mind that travel is costly to your horse’s energy levels and making adjustments for it can go a long way to ensure that your horse arrives at the show with plenty of fuel in his tank, and that he maintains his normal weight.