Feeding for energy and recovery in event horses
Eventing asks a horse to change speed, gait and effort within minutes. Dressage demands precision and sustained power, cross-country asks for strength and courage over changing terrain, and showjumping calls for explosive effort repeated at a competition. Feeding cannot manufacture those qualities, but the right ration can support them, preserve condition and make recovery between phases more dependable.
That makes feeding for energy and recovery in event horses a daily management task rather than a supplement decision made the night before an event. Workload, travel, forage quality, water, rest and individual health all affect the result. Dom and Jimmie Schramm’s eventing focus reflects the same principle: horses succeed through systems of care, not isolated products, and that approach applies in Australian yards from Melbourne and Sydney to regional centres.
Match intake to the work
Training load changes faster than a feed bin can usually be filled. A horse may need more forage, a higher-energy concentrate or simply more time to eat after work. During competition, assess the whole programme—training, competition, travel and rest—rather than adjusting only for the cross-country round.
Appetite alone is a poor guide. A horse can eat well and still lose condition if the ration is bulky, unpalatable or poorly matched to the work. Record body weight and condition regularly, and note manure quality, grazing time and how long meals take.
Good feeding also depends on communication with the groom, owner, veterinarian and feed adviser. Schramm Equestrian’s advice on building a support team is a useful reminder that everyone should know what the horse is eating, how the workload is changing and which signs require prompt attention.
Make forage the foundation
Forage should provide the base of the ration. As a starting point, many horses need approximately 1.5–2% of their bodyweight in forage dry matter, adjusted for condition, workload and pasture availability. Hay or pasture cannot meet every requirement during a demanding campaign, but the horse should not be short of fibre either.
Australian hay varies considerably between regions and seasons. Drought in inland New South Wales can tighten supplies and raise prices, while wetter southern districts may offer more abundant pasture. Metropolitan Melbourne and Sydney yards often have limited year-round grazing, making purchased hay a major daily expense. Testing representative samples helps owners compare batches rather than assuming similar-looking hay has similar nutrition.
Pasture needs the same attention. Queensland’s summer growth may be abundant but high in sugars, while southern pasture availability changes sharply through winter and spring. Horses with diagnosed metabolic disease or recurrent laminitis need a carefully managed grazing plan. A veterinarian or equine nutritionist can advise on forage choices, strip grazing and appropriate use of a grazing muzzle. Water should remain freely available.
Add concentrates for targeted energy
Concentrates fill the energy gap that forage alone may not cover. Cereal-based pellets and grain mixes supply starch, while balanced commercial feeds can combine digestible carbohydrate, protein and fat for sustained work. Feeds rich in fat offer concentrated energy without adding large starch loads, although they need careful introduction and should not replace a sound forage base.
When a horse appears to hit a weight-loss plateau, the instinct is often to add more feed. Although that example concerns personal weight management, the principle applies: check actual intake, forage quality, workload and health before escalating the ration. Unexpected weight loss can reflect dental problems, parasites, illness or inadequate nutrition rather than a simple lack of calories.
Introduce concentrates gradually, especially to horses unaccustomed to hard feed or competing after a rest period. Spread meals across the day rather than relying on one large feed, and keep total changes manageable. Sudden increases in starch increase the risk of hindgut disturbance, which may show as loose manure, colic or reduced appetite.
Support recovery and hydration
Clean water should be available before, during and after exercise, with several buckets offered when temperatures rise. During hot Australian summers, early starts, long journeys and warm competition days increase sweat losses. Electrolytes can help replace salts when sweat loss has been substantial, but they are not a substitute for water, forage or rest. Familiar buckets and shaded recovery areas also make voluntary drinking easier.
Muscle repair and replenishment continue for hours after exercise. A small meal containing good-quality protein and appropriate energy can support recovery when appetite is normal, while constant access to forage supports the hindgut. Stable management matters too: quiet rest, turnout where possible and limited strenuous work during the initial recovery period.
Competition travel can disrupt familiar routines before the competition begins. Keep hay and water familiar, avoid abrupt dietary changes and allow time for rehydration after a long trailer journey. State and territory animal-welfare laws apply to competition horses, while stockfeed labelling and import requirements also matter. Owners should check products through reputable suppliers and consult the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry before importing feeds or supplements.
Build a practical monitoring routine
A small set of consistent measurements can reveal problems before they affect performance. Record weight, condition, appetite and workload in one log, and review it weekly with the people who manage the horse day to day.
Useful daily and weekly checks include:
- Weigh the horse or use a consistent tape estimate each week, and record a body condition score.
- Note daily forage, hard feed and time spent eating, including feed discarded or left uneaten.
- Test hay when the supplier or batch changes, requesting energy, protein, NSC and mineral values.
- Review manure, hydration, travel and workload for sudden changes that might indicate stress or illness.
- Introduce feed changes over seven to fourteen days while maintaining unrestricted water and adequate forage.
If weight or condition declines despite a seemingly generous ration, have a veterinarian investigate health and dental causes before increasing concentrates. Recurrent colic, laminitis, abnormal manure or a dull appetite also deserve assessment rather than a simple dietary experiment. A nutrition professional can then translate those findings into a practical ration for the horse’s actual workload.
Put the plan into action by choosing a weekly measurement date, recording current feeds and naming who will monitor each part of the routine. Small, repeatable habits protect condition, support recovery and make performance easier to sustain across a full eventing season.
Explore Schramm Equestrian for stories about competitive eventing, horse trials and the dedicated teams that keep ambitious four-legged athletes performing at their best.