By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
With January behind us, we are now in the countdown to the start of the eventing season. This is the ideal time to focus on building strong foundations of fitness that will support our horses through the long and demanding months ahead.
A solid fitness foundation is not just about work intensity; it is about ensuring the horse has the correct body condition, appropriate fuel, and adequate recovery capacity to cope with increasing workloads and travel. All too often, event horses gradually lose condition as the season progresses due to higher energy demands, time away from home, and the stress of competition. This can have a negative impact on both health and performance.
At the same time, managing energy levels is crucial. As we build fitness and condition, we must be careful not to create excess excitability or compromise performance. The key is controlled, sustainable progress.
Nutrition plays a vital role in this process. Diets must be balanced and contain the correct levels of high-quality protein, as protein forms the foundation of muscle, tendon, and overall tissue development.
Before we can build fitness, we must first understand what appropriate condition looks like.
The most effective way to monitor weight and condition is by using a Body Condition Score (BCS) system. Horses are scored on a scale from 1 (emaciated) to 9 (obese). The British Horse Society offers an excellent free guide to help owners assess this accurately.
Ideally, horses should enter the competition season at a BCS of 5–6, allowing for some inevitable weight loss as training intensity and competition demands increase. It is easy to underestimate how quickly calorie requirements rise as fitness work progresses.
Dental issues, parasites, gastric ulcers, or underlying illness can all contribute to weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition. If weight loss is unexplained or persistent, veterinary advice should always be sought.
Even subtle changes in body condition can affect stamina, strength, and resilience. Often, the first sign is a small drop in performance rather than an obvious physical issue.
Building fitness and condition must go hand in hand. The aim is to provide sufficient fuel for work, recovery, and muscle development without creating excess energy that may lead to obesity or unwanted sharpness.
High-quality hay, haylage, or grass should always form the foundation of the diet. At this time of year, pasture alone is often insufficient, meaning additional forage may be required to meet daily needs.
When extra calories are necessary, high-fat, low-starch feeds are an effective way to support condition without overloading energy levels. Adding oil can also provide slow-release calories. All additional feed should be divided into multiple meals per day.
Any increase in feed or calorie intake should be introduced gradually over several weeks. Sudden dietary changes can disrupt hindgut health and increase the risk of colic.
Protein plays a critical role in the foundation of fitness. Beyond muscle development, protein is essential for the formation of connective tissues, organs, enzymes, hormones, and immune function. In young or developing horses, protein is particularly important, as bone, cartilage, tendon, and muscle are all developing simultaneously.
A long-standing misconception in equine nutrition is that protein is a major energy source. In reality, protein is a poor source of energy for horses. This misunderstanding arose when feed labels listed protein content but not starch or sugar levels. Many high-protein feeds were also high in starch, leading to the belief that protein equated to energy. Modern feed analysis has shown that protein quality is far more important than protein quantity.
Protein is made up of amino acids, of which there are 21 in total. Ten of these are considered essential for horses and must be supplied through the diet. Each amino acid plays a specific role in the body, from supporting immune function to stimulating tissue growth. A horse may consume sufficient total protein but still be deficient if essential amino acids are lacking or imbalanced.
Nurture Pro works as a powerful muscle builder which delivers a meaningful amount of the highest quality EQ-Complete amino pack protein (28%).
Building the foundations of fitness in the event horse requires patience, consistency, and careful planning. By maintaining appropriate body condition, fuelling correctly, prioritising high-quality protein, and allowing adequate time for recovery, you create a platform that supports both performance and long-term soundness.
Working closely with veterinarians and nutritionists ensures each horse’s programme is tailored to their individual needs. Taking the time now to build these foundations sets your horse up for a stronger, healthier, and more successful season ahead.
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