Feeding Show Horses
Feeding Show Horses
Show Horses Are Still
Horses
All feeding rules still apply, and
become even more important during
times of stress such as new housing,
travel or shows.
 No less than 1% of their body weight
in forage per day.
 Use of a slow feed net or small
frequent meals to avoid periods of
fasting
Show Horses Are Still
Horses
Yearlings will need to be on their
foal ration, senior horses on senior
feed, etc.
 Year round healthy diet and body
condition monitoring will make
show time fitness much easier to
achieve.
 Every horse should be fed as an
individual.
Halter Horses
Halter Horses
 Halter horses should be fit, but
NOT thin – don’t get over-zealous
on weight loss.
 Smooth topline = fat cover.
 Thin does not equal refined. Show
the horse you have to their best
advantage, not the horse you wish
they were.
Shine Comes From Inside
 Adding a high fat concentrate, oil,
or supplementing with flax or other
coat conditioners will help get a
healthy coat.
 Since Miniature Horses are shown
clipped, they need a very healthy
coat to shine.
 It takes time for feed changes to
show; start 2 months ahead of
“Smooth-bodied”
 Fat (and muscle!) over topline.
 Sufficient protein in diet to keep
“hay belly” away and help build
muscle. At least 14%, if young
16%.
 Beet pulp can fill in topline – so
can pasture.
Fitness
 No replacement for actual
muscles.
 Turnout with friends very effective
for young horses – lots of room to
play.
 Too much round pen not good for
developing bones or mental
wellbeing.
 As with all developing fitness, start
Forage Options
 Some people feel long stem hay
will prevent the tucked up look
they are wanting in the show ring.
 Switching to a cube or pellet form
of forage is an acceptable option,
but will need more frequent meals,
avoid fasting.
 Never reduce forage less than 1%
of body weight daily.
Performance Horses
Forage First
 Some performance horses, with an
appropriate amount of quality
forage, may not need additional
feed source.
 Building muscle requires protein
and energy, if you’re not confident
in the value of your forage, you
may want to supplement.
Cool Calories
 In most cases, source a high fat,
low starch/sugar feed.
 Cool energy from fat sources will
give them the energy and
condition they need, without
making them “hot.”
 Unless you are an experience
driver and want them “breathing
fire” avoid feeds high in
Supplements
 Supplements are available for
everything from coat conditioning
to temperament improvement.
 While some may be beneficial,
don’t spend all your money hoping
for a “magic” result.
 Simple good nutrition will most
often be all you need for your
show horse.
Making Changes
 Make any feed changes well in
advance of the show season –
don’t double up on stress.
 If feeding pasture at home, switch
to other forage source (at least
partially) a couple weeks prior to
the show.
 Make sure they’ll drink out of a
pail, and if they’re picky, add