Performance Horse—A racehorse throws itself into the race and runs full tilt to the finish line. The dressage horse is the epitome of focus and control. The cutting horse juggles a calm and steady demeanor with bursts of immense power. Feeding practices for horses involved in athletic endeavors can be extremely variable. It differs by discipline, the size of the horse and the way they respond to training and exercise. You will need to adjust feeding amounts according to the level of work your horse is doing: light, moderate or heavy. You may also need to adjust the feed/hay ratio.

Keep in mind, it is not so much the particular discipline in which they are engaged, but the duration of the performance and the intensity that determines light, moderate or heavy work.

Light Work

Moderate Work

Heavy Work

ARTICLES

Fat, Protein and the Performance Horse
By Dr. Karen E. Davison, Ph.D., Purina Mills, LLC

Nutrition Bulletin: Feeding the Performance Horse
By Dr. Les Breuer, Ph.D.