Feeding the modern sport-horse: what the latest research really says

There’s a reason elite riders and grooms obsess over their horse’s nutrition when it comes to performance. Nutrition is never just background noise; it’s the foundation of optimal health and performance. 

With years of hands-on experience as an equine vet, I’ve seen time and again how even small nutritional choices can significantly impact a horse’s muscle development, behaviour, and overall resilience. The horses we’re managing today aren’t just riding school veterans, they’re high-output athletes juggling intensive training schedules, travel, climate stress, and demanding competition calendars. 

Yet despite the leaps we've made in diagnostic imaging and joint care, nutrition is still often treated as a static routine, rather than the dynamic, evidence-based tool it should be. 

That’s why, drawing on both my daily work with performance horses and a deep dive into the latest peer-reviewed research from the past five years, I’ve explored what truly defines optimal nutrition in these athletes. 

In this article, I break down the latest science on how nutrition impacts performance and recovery: from how horses store and use energy, to what really helps muscles recover, stay hydrated, and cope with inflammation. 

1. The Nutritional Basics: Start With Forage 

Before diving into the latest research, let’s start with the one non-negotiable: forage is the foundation of every performance horse’s diet. No supplement or concentrate can compensate for a lack of high-quality roughage. Forage supports gut health, keeps the digestive system moving, and provides essential slow-release energy. 

For sport horses, the general recommendation is to feed 2.0–2.5% of body weight in forage per day, calculated on a dry matter (DM) basis. Example – 500 kg horse: 

• Dry matter intake goal: 10 to 12.5 kg DM/day 
• If feeding hay (typically 85–90% DM):  → This equals ~11.5 to 14.5 kg as-fed 
• If feeding haylage or silage (typically 60–70% DM):  → You'll need to feed larger volumes to deliver the same dry matter intake) 

Once that forage base is securely in place, we can fine-tune performance with targeted nutrition: 

• Choosing the right types of energy (carbs vs. fats) 
• Timing protein intake for muscle repair 
• Replacing lost electrolytes 
• Supporting recovery with antioxidants or natural anti-inflammatory compounds 

With that in mind, here’s what the most up-to-date research tells us and how we can apply it in real life at the barn. 

2. Carbohydrates & Glycogen: Refueling After Work 

Glycogen is the main fuel horses use for short, intense effort like jumping, galloping, or collected work. After exercise, these energy stores get depleted and need to be refilled for the horse to recover properly. 

A 2021 study (BMC Vet Res, 2021) showed that we can now use ultrasound (instead of muscle biopsies) to monitor how much glycogen a horse has left after work. This opens up the possibility of adjusting feeding strategies based on how much energy your horse actually used. 

We also now know that horses take longer than humans to refill their glycogen tanks, meaning they need more time to recover.  We also know that the first 4 to 6 hours after exercise are the most important. Feeding a combination of fast-digesting carbohydrates (like soaked beet pulp or a small cereal meal) with high-quality protein (Body & Build) during this time can speed up recovery and help maintain energy levels for the next session. 

Vet tip: Offer a soaked mash or fibre-based feed with electrolytes and protein (Body & Build) within 30 minutes after exercise, then follow up with a balanced meal 1–2 hours later. This supports quicker recovery and better long-term performance. 

3. Protein & Amino-Acids: Support for Muscle Repair

Muscle repair after exercise depends on more than just how much protein a horse eats — it’s about the type of protein and the amino acids it provides. A 2022 study (frontiersin.org) compared alfalfa pellets with a high-quality protein supplement (similar to Body&Build) in both healthy horses and those with insulin issues. 

The horses that received the supplement had twice as many essential amino acids in their blood, and their muscles showed stronger signals for rebuilding, without raising insulin to dangerous levels (even in insulin resistant horses). One of those signals, called mTOR, plays a key role in telling the body to repair and build muscle. 

Vet tip: After exercise, offer a protein source that’s rich in key amino acids like lysine and methionine, especially if your horse is building topline. Even horses with metabolic concerns can benefit, as long as the protein is high quality and low in starch and sugar. 

4. Fats & Omega-3s: Slow-release energy

Omega-3 fatty acids are a valuable source of slow-release energy, which is especially important for sport horses needing steady fuel for longer training sessions or competition days. But their benefits go far beyond energy: omega-3s also help to fight inflammation, protect joints, and support overall recovery, making them a smart addition to any performance horse’s feeding program.  

A 2021 study (sciencedirect.com) showed that feeding marine-derived DHA and EPA led to a clear increase in omega-3 levels in the blood, confirming that these nutrients are quickly absorbed and used by the body.  

A 2013 study by Dr. Nora Nogradi showed that supplementing horses with DHA led to better lung health, reinforcing their value in a performance diet. 

Our Grow&Glow supplement provides DHA from algae oil with no added sugars, making it ideal for horses that need energy support without compromising metabolic balance or digestive health. 

Vet tip: Adding a high-quality marine DHA source like Grow&Glow can support your horse’s stamina, joint comfort, and recovery, all while keeping the energy curve smooth and sustainable. 

5. Electrolytes & Hydration: to support your horse’s cooling system

Heat, travel, and hard work all push a sport horse’s cooling system into overdrive. As body temperature rises, sweating and rapid breathing are the first lines of defence, but they come at a cost: large losses of water and key minerals. Without a solid hydration plan, a horse can slip into dehydration, which dulls performance, slows reaction time, and raises the risk of injury for both horse and rider. 

Recent research makes two points crystal-clear: 

1. Hypotonic electrolyte mix instead of plain water  A 2022 review in Veterinary Sciences (mdpi.com) showed that hypotonic electrolyte mixes, formulas that copy the exact mineral ratios found in sweat, empty from the stomach and absorb in the small intestine faster than plain water or straight salt. 
2. Start hydrated, stay hydrated.  A 2023 study (mdpi.com) in Animals found that giving horses about 8 litres of a balanced electrolyte drink an hour before moderate exercise kept blood pH and heart-rate more stable, preventing the mild alkalosis that often follows work in warm conditions. 

Practical checklist :

• Free-choice salt: Keep plain, loose salt available 24/7; most horses will self-regulate their baseline needs. 
• Post-work: Within 30 minutes of finishing exercise, offer 0.5–1 L of isotonic electrolyte mix per 100 kg body-weight to jump-start rehydration. 
• Pre-load on big or hot days: For rides longer than 60 minutes or when temperatures top 25 °C, give an electrolyte drink (≈ 8 L for a 500 kg horse) 60–90 minutes before work. 
• Train the drink reflex: Some horses need patience and practice to drink flavored electrolyte solutions. Start in calm settings so they recognise it as safe. 
• Water first, water last: Always pair electrolytes with unlimited fresh water. A well-hydrated horse is a healthier, safer athlete. 

6. Vitamin E: Getting the Most From This Key Antioxidant

Vitamin E acts like a “rust-proofing” agent for your horse’s muscles, mopping up the free-radicals that build up during hard work. A 2021 study (MDPI Antioxidants, 2021) in Antioxidants found that giving natural-source vitamin E (1.8 IU per kg of dry feed) for just two weeks, with or without CoQ10, lowered markers of muscle damage after exercise without dulling fitness gains. 

But not all vitamin E is absorbed the same way. A 2020 trial (ScienceDirect, 2020) in JEVS showed that a natural vitamin E raised blood α-tocopherol levels far better than the synthetic form, even when both were fed at the same dose. 

Vet tip: Choose a natural vitamin E supplement to give your sport horse stronger antioxidant protection without adding extra starch or sugar. 

7. Phytochemicals & Novel Actives

A 2023 study in Life (mdpi.com) gave show-jumpers a herbal blend of Boswellia serrata (frankincense), Curcuma longa (turmeric), and Verbascum thapsus (mullein) for just 10 days. Blood tests showed two clear wins: 

1. Higher antioxidant capacity: the horses’ bodies were better at neutralising the “free-radical rust” created by exercise. 
2. Lower inflammation signals: key pro-inflammatory genes (TLR4 and IFN-γ) were dialled down. 

What that means for you: these botanicals can offer joint and recovery support, making them a handy addition during busy competition periods or for horses needing extra comfort between rides. 

Conclusion : When Riders Ask More, Nutrition Must Deliver

Riders and trainers place heavy demands on their horses’ bodies, and the science is clear: meeting those demands starts in the feed room. Begin with ample, top-quality forage (2.0–2.5 % BW DM) to safeguard gut health and provide steady energy. Refill glycogen promptly after work, supply lysine-rich protein to drive muscle repair, and add marine DHA for slow-release fuel and joint support. Replace sweat losses with hypotonic electrolytes, defend muscles with natural-source vitamin E (± CoQ10), and use botanicals like Boswellia and turmeric for drug-free inflammation control. None of these tools substitute for good training or management, but they unlock the full benefit of both. Feed with intent, track results, and your horse will repay your care with greater performance, resilience, and years of sound work.