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As workload and travel increase during competition season, so does sweat loss. Equine sweat contains significant amounts of sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium - minerals essential for maintaining fluid balance, thermoregulation, nerve function and muscle contraction.
Electrolyte depletion does not begin at the first competition though; it accumulates as intensity and frequency of work increase. Waiting until a horse shows signs of fatigue or dehydration, means that electrolyte deficiency has already occurred.
Preloading electrolytes in the lead-up to a busy period, alongside free access to clean water and appropriate forage intake, supports normal hydration mechanisms and helps maintain electrolyte balance before demands peak.
Planning ahead allows horses to enter the season physiologically prepared for increased sweat losses, transport stress and consecutive days of work.
As always, supplementation should be appropriate to workload, climate and the individual horse.
Bonus tip – optimal electrolyte uptake occurs in the small intestine. But, electrolytes are often dissolved in the mouth and stomach before they make it there. Using micro-encapsulated electrolytes can help to increase uptake, as well as improving palatability and being gentle on the stomach.
Thank you, @science_supplements_uk !
Follow #FFF26 and #FeedFactFortnight. We’ve got daily expert tips, live webinars, and amazing prizes to help you master your horse’s nutrition from start to finish! 🏆🌾
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Horses may require a forage alternative for many reasons: to provide higher energy or fewer calories, to avoid specific ingredients, or — in the case of older or dentally challenged horses — when chewing long-stem forage is no longer possible. Forage supplies are currently tighter than usual across many parts of the UK. A difficult growing season has resulted in lower yields and variable-quality hay, leaving many owners understandably concerned about both availability and consistency for the months ahead.
It is essential to choose an alternative that meets a strict nutritional profile that suits the horse’s individual needs.
Chopped forages or chaffs can be an effective way to replace part of the hay ration. Look for options that are high in fibre and nutritionally comparable to good-quality hay. Grass-based chops are often preferred, as they most closely resemble typical UK hay, but lucerne (alfalfa) and sainfoin can also be excellent choices, depending on the horse’s requirements.
For older horses or those with dental issues, chops and chaffs are generally unsuitable. Instead, a soaked mash/feed is required. Beet pulp can also replace part of the hay ration and is usually a cost-effective option. We would typically suggest mixing two-thirds straight grass, lucerne, or sainfoin pellets with one-third beet pulp. As always, the best choice depends on the horse’s specific nutritional needs.
Forage blocks/Brix offer another convenient alternative. As an approximate guide, a 1kg compressed forage block can replace 1kg of hay. These blocks can be fed whole and dry from the ground for the horse to gnaw upon. They take some chewing, so good dentition is essential. This alternative feeding method is ideal for slowing intake and providing enrichment. Placing a grass, lucerne, or sainfoin block over a stable door or in the field requires no preparation, making them especially popular with livery yard managers and owners of multiple horses.
Thank you, @simplesystemhorsefeeds
The Simple System Feed Line is available to discuss your horse’s diet on 01728 604 008 or by email to info@simplesystem.co.uk
#foragereplacer #hay #simplesystem
Feedmark shared with us these expert insights on one of the most critical times of the equine year
Managing Changing Forage Intakes As We Move Into Spring
As the spring grass begins to appear, many of us start thinking about increasing turnout time and giving our horses more access to grazing, rather than the mostly hay or haylage diets they’ve been used to over winter. Like any dietary change, this transition should be made gradually. You might slowly extend their time on grass, use strip grazing, or fit a grazing muzzle to help manage intake.
Alongside managing calorie intake, don’t forget about micronutrients. As grazing increases and forage changes, it`s important to think about vitamins and minerals too. For good doers, horses prone to laminitis, or those with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), soaking hay can be a useful part of an overall strategy to manage calories. Whilst often necessary, soaking can leach out valuable minerals from hay. Choosing a supplement specifically formulated to replace those losses, as well as balancing the nutrients provided by forage, is often more helpful than using a standard product designed for horses on unrestricted forage and unsoaked hay.
Follow #FFF26 and #FeedFactFortnight. We’ve got daily expert tips, live webinars, and amazing prizes to help you master your horse’s nutrition from start to finish! 🏆🌾
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As we continue the journey through Feed Fact Fortnight with our next webinar!
🗓️ Webinar Details: Can Fibre Fuel a Performance Horse?
8th April at 7pm
Join us for an inspiring session that bridges the gap between scientific nutrition and real-world competition success.
This webinar will explore why fibre is not just a filler, but a fundamental energy source capable of supporting horses competing at the highest levels, including the journey to the Badminton Grassroots Championships with equestrian @life_on_the_left_rein vlogger, Tina Wallace and @dengiehorsefeeds ENFAR Nutritionist, Katie Reeve, MSc (Dist), R Nutr.
Is your competition horse "Fuelled by Fibre"? Whether you`re an eventer, showjumper, or dressage rider, this session will change how you look at your horse`s bucket feed!
Set your reminders for 8th April at 7pm!
#BETAFFF #FeedFactFortnight #Dengie #LifeOnTheLeftRein #EquineNutrition #FuelledByFibre #EventingLife #BadmintonGrassroots #BETA2026
There are many things to think about when beginning preparations for the upcoming competition season. Not only is it important to have your vet checks, saddle check and fitness plans scheduled, it is also important to think about your horses dietary needs.
Now is a great time to think back to last season and evaluate your horses energy (calorie) requirements. By reflecting on how your horse finished last season, it can give you a head start on how to support their performance from the beginning. We recommend allowing 4-6 weeks for horses to adapt to their new diet to get the full benefits from it.
We would also suggest adding in a nutrition consultation into your preseason checks. This could be from talking to a nutritionist on the phone and discussing any changes needed throughout the season, or having a yard visit where a nutritionist visits your yard, physically assessing your horse and assessing their individual needs. We would also recommend body fat scoring your horse throughout the competition season to keep a track on their weight and condition, you could record this just like you may record your competition results.
Thank you, @saracen_horse_feeds ! Follow #FFF26 and #FeedFactFortnight throughout the next two weeks. We’ve got daily expert tips, live webinars, and amazing prizes to help you master your horse’s nutrition from start to finish! 🏆🌾
#BETAFFF #FFF26 #BETAFacts #EquineNutrition
