Feeding for Dressage Performance
 Dressage requires power, athleticism, concentration and obedience from the horse and feeding to achieve all of these aims can be difficult. Too much energy and the control and concentration may be lost, too little energy and the horse may lack the energy and impulsion required in the arena. Added to this each horse needs to be treated as an individual and other considerations such as condition, temperament and character need to be taken into account, which can make feeding a real challenge.
The basis of any horse’s diet should be good quality fibre in the form of hay, haylage or grass. It can be tempting particularly with good doers or naturally laid back horses to cut back on the fibre ration and to feed more concentrate feed for energy, however, this can be highly detrimental to the horse’s wellbeing. Fibre is vital to keep the digestive system functioning correctly and for the stabled horse helps to fulfil the natural instinct to be grazing for 16-18 hours of the day. In fact low fibre diets have been linked to gastric ulcers and the development of stereotypies which are not only harmful to the horse itself, but can affect performance too.
When it comes to choosing a concentrate feed remember to take into account your horse’s workload, temperament, age and condition. For young horses just starting out or for mature horses in light work a low energy, high fibre feed should provide adequate energy levels. Feeds with low cereal content are ideal as these should be low in starch level to help avoid fizzy or exuberant behaviour.
For horses in harder work but that have a tendency to be sharp or excitable a higher energy feed with a high fibre and oil content can help to provide the necessary levels of energy without the behaviour sometimes associated with traditional cereal based feeds. Cereals are good sources of starch, which when digested are released rapidly into the bloodstream giving the horse a sudden burst of energy which may cause exuberance. Fibre and oil, on the other hand, release their energy much more slowly to provide sustainable energy. This slow release energy is ideal for helping to improve stamina levels too. A high fibre and high oil feed can be particularly useful for the type of horse that has energy to begin with, but then becomes ‘flat’ after having been warmed up, or lacks energy in their second test.
For the naturally laid back character a feed containing some fast releasing energy sources such as cereals may be helpful to provide some instant energy for short periods of intense work. However, care needs to be taken that meals are not too large, as otherwise this can lead to undigested starches and sugars entering the hindgut, where they can upset the pH balance leading to a reduction in the number of beneficial bacteria, which can cause more serious consequences such as colic and laminitis. As a rule of thumb no more than 2kg of concentrate feeds should be fed per meal.
Very often laid-back horses tend to be good doers that are prone to gaining weight easily. This can prove difficult when it comes to feeding, as energy and calories is basically the same thing. Feeding small quantities of a competition type feed can help to provide energy without too many calories. It is important to ensure that your horse is fit enough to perform the work asked of him. Regular weigh taping and condition scoring will allow you to pick up on any changes in your horse’s weight and condition much quicker than by eye alone. As a guide you should be able to feel your horse’s ribs easily but not be able to see them. Be honest with yourself about your horse’s condition and if necessary limit feed intake (although this should not fall below 1.5% of bodyweight in total feed intake per day) and increase exercise levels. A fitter, slimmer horse will find work easier and will have more energy.
Like all horses the dressage horse will need vitamins and minerals to maintain and correct functioning of the body’s systems. A good quality feed should contain a range of vitamins and minerals, although it is a good idea to check whether you are feeding the correct quantities to meet your horse’s needs. For those horses that only receive a small amount of feed it may be necessary to top up with a broad-spectrum vitamin and mineral supplement.
Electrolytes are minerals that are required by the horse for muscle and nerve function, they are found in water within the body and are lost as the horse sweats, therefore the addition of electrolytes to the diet is recommended for horses who are sweating regularly.
By sticking to the principles of feeding plenty of fibre and choosing your horse’s feed according to workload, temperament and condition you can help to achieve a healthy horse with the energy needed to perform at their best.
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