By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
As we approach the end of the eventing season, many of our competition horses will be finishing their work and heading out for a well-deserved break. This period of rest is not just a physical reprieve but an essential part of their overall well-being, helping them to recover and prepare for the challenges of the next season.
At Keyflow, we understand the importance of maintaining your horse's health during their downtime. The end of the 2024 season marks the beginning of preparation for the 2025 season, and we have some tips to ensure your horse stays in peak condition while out of work.
Before turning your horse out for their break, it’s crucial to carry out a full health check and dynamic assessment. This allows you to identify and address any issues, such as niggles or underlying problems, before they become more serious. By catching these early, you can help ensure a smooth transition back into work when the time comes.
Forage should form the foundation of your horse’s diet while they’re on holiday. Ideally, your horse should consume at least 1.5-2% of their body weight in forage daily. However, winter grass can be poor in both quality and nutrients, so supplementing with high-quality hay or haylage is often necessary.
To support digestion, consider adding a fibre-based feed such as Pink Mash, which contains prebiotics and probiotics to enhance hindgut health. Additionally, ensure your horse receives the necessary vitamins and minerals. If they’re only being fed forage, a supplement like Pegavite is a great way to cover any nutritional gaps.
With reduced exercise, your horse’s calorie needs will drop. Continuing to feed them as if they were still in work could lead to weight gain and behavioural issues. The key during the off-season is to focus on muscle repair and recovery, rather than energy provision.
Protein is essential for muscle repair, so it’s important to ensure your horse has access to a high-quality protein source. Since the nutritional value of forage can fluctuate during winter, we recommend adding a balancer like Nurture Pro to provide the essential proteins needed for muscle maintenance and recovery after a demanding season.
While most horses thrive during their holidays, some may struggle to maintain condition. It’s vital to regularly assess your horse’s weight and adjust their diet as needed to ensure they stay in optimal shape.
For horses that need to gain weight, a high-fat, low-starch diet can be a fantastic solution. This approach helps add condition without increasing excitability. Keyflow offers several options to help with this, including:
Key-3 Oil for added healthy fats
Key-Plus to increase calorie intake without the starch
Pink Mash for conditioning support
Each horse is unique, so a tailored feeding plan is often the best approach. Feel free to contact our expert advice team for personalised guidance.
A common question we receive is whether joint supplements should be continued during the off-season. Since this is a time of recovery, we recommend maintaining these supplements, especially if they support joint repair and reduce inflammation. Look for high-quality products containing ingredients like MSM, Chondroitin, and Glucosamine, which are all beneficial for joint health.
It’s essential that your horse has constant access to clean, fresh, and unfrozen water throughout the day. Proper hydration is key to maintaining health, particularly when they are not as active.
Optimising Your Horse's Off-Season with Keyflow
The off-season is just as important as the competition period when it comes to your horse's overall health and performance. By focusing on forage quality, balanced nutrition, joint care, and hydration, you can help your horse recover from the demands of the season and prepare them for a successful 2025.
For more advice or to develop a tailored feeding plan, get in touch with our team of experts today!
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