Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Fox-cub.com
 Feeding the endurance horse is critical to its success, health and longevity in
the sport. It can make all the difference. Read on to learn how to feed
an endurance horse.


      Step 1

      It is critical to the success of your endurance horse that you feed him properly. Endurance horses
      are the equivalent of long-distance runners in humans, but their
      metabolism works very differently. In order to make sure your endurance
      horse is fed appropriately for his work, you need to know what and how
      to feed. The basic platform for feeding an endurance horse is forage,
      electrolytes and grain concentrates.
  
      Step 2

      Do not feed too much grain or feed concentrates. Too many carbohydrates
      and starches will adversely effect your horse by causing him to go into
      full blown low blood sugar once he has burned up the quick calories. If
      you feel you must feed your horse concentrates/grain, feed a low
      protein, high fat feed. Make sure the fat content is at least eight to
      10 percent, and the top dress it with one cup of corn oil once a day.
  
      Step 3

      Too much protein demands more water intake, which can be devastating for an
      endurance horse. Make sure that you stay away from alfalfa and other
      hi-protein roughages and concentrates. Stick to quality forage that has
      a lower protein content but is full of quality vitamins and minerals.

      Step 4

      Forage, forage and forage. It has been proven, beyond the shadow of a doubt,
      that good quality forage is the best possible feed for endurance
      horses. Make sure your horse has all he can eat, all the time. This
      will cut down or negate any need for grain or concentrates. Also know
      that there are “super-fibers”–beet pulp, soybean hulls, almond hulls
      or oat hulls–that are excellent calorie sources with little to no
      blood sugar boosters. Just be sure to follow instructions on how they
      are fed.
  
      Step 5

      Make sure your horse’s electrolytes are primed and ready for the race. Put
      electrolytes in his water, and give him an electrolyte boost before,
      during, and after your competition. Feeding the endurance horse can be
      tricky, but the results are a healthier horse and a fitter one.


[...full  posting]

--
Posted By  Endurance.Net  to  Consider This  at  9/03/2009 08:04:00 AM