ASK THE EXPERT.
AVOIDING THAT ‘FLAT’ FEELING YOUR HORSE MAY HAVE STARTED THE SEASON IN GREAT SHAPE, BUT THE EFFECTS OF TRAINING AND TRAVELLING STRESS CAN SHOW AS AUTUMN APPROACHES AND THE HORSE USES UP NUTRITIONAL RESOURCES. SPORTS NUTRITIONIST RYAN MILLAR, CO-FOUNDER OF BETTALIFE®, OFFERS GUIDANCE ON MAINTAINING CONDITION AND TOPLINE.
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What are the reasons that a horse may lose topline or condition, especially at the end of the summer? Horses can experience a nutrient deficit at the end of a long competition season. A reduced calorie intake as grazing becomes sparser or forage is restricted for ‘good doers’ will contribute further to this. Training and competing is effectively extracting more nutrients from the horse than his diet can supply over the season.
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How much of an influence does loss of condition have on performance - would the owner notice a dip in their horse’s performance first? Nutrient deficit can be evidenced in an increase in the time that a horse takes to recover from a OWNERS GET TO KNOW THEIR competition. You may also see HORSES VERY WELL, SO ARE LIKELY TO a reduction in stamina and that the horse becomes fatigued PICK UP EVEN SUBTLE SIGNS AS THEIR more quickly. Owners get to know their HORSE DIPS INTO HIS RESERVES. horses very well, so are likely to pick up even subtle signs as their horse dips or are stepping up a grade in their training into his reserves. It may be as simple as an programme. otherwise unexplained drop in scores, or a Metabolic rate decreases with age, and dull coat. older horses may be receiving fewer calories More highly strung horses can be full of in order to manage their weight, plus muscle nervous energy so it’s harder to spot, but you recovery is slower. They will take longer may find they blow up halfway through a test, to warm up and need a longer build-up to for example. competition; however, over-training can also This nutrient deficit is not sustainable in the contribute to loss of condition. long term and can lead to muscle loss as the depleted glycogen stores mean less fuel for the What signs should owners look muscles, and increased risk of injury. out for to suggest that this is a nutritional issue rather than ill health? Again, knowing your horse is key, while it’s Does the horse’s age or stage of also worth considering other causes of lost training have an influence on loss condition – poor dental health, an increase in of condition? worm burdens etc. The impact of extra training and competition But sudden muscle loss is a tell-tale sign: can be felt, especially for younger horses the horse may look ‘flatter’ as the depletion of that are beginning their competitive careers
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LEFT: SPORTS NUTRITIONIST RYAN MILLAR. ABOVE: IF YOUR HORSE STARTS TO FEEL A LITTLE ‘FLAT’ AT THE END OF THE SUMMER IT COULD BE DUE TO A NUTRIENT DEFICIT.