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Muscles and fitness are essential components for any horse, regardless of its type or discipline. However, when preparing for competitions, evaluations, or other performances, there are several important factors to consider. What does it truly take for a horse to deliver a top performance? The answer lies in proper and sufficient training. But training alone cannot fully prepare a horse for the intense physical demands it may face—especially if you want to minimize the risk of injury. Let’s take a closer look at the key considerations.
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The common challenges often involve inadequate muscle strength, poor stamina, and a reduced ability to recover after intense work. To prevent prolonged injury breaks, it’s also crucial to focus on other factors, such as the horse’s diet. Building muscle and fitness starts with providing the horse with the necessary energy. Without sufficient calories, the horse won’t have the reserves to develop muscles. A horse that struggles to thrive or is consistently underweight won’t be able to build the muscle mass it needs. Building muscle and strength also requires essential building blocks provided through diet.
Proteins and certain amino acids that the horse cannot produce on its own (e.g., lysine and methionine) are essential for muscle development. As herbivores, horses cannot rely on a steak for their protein needs. This places specific demands on the protein content of their feed. Grains such as barley and oats contain very little protein, making them insufficient for meeting a horse’s needs. Forage like hay or silage does provide some protein, but usually not enough to support muscle growth. Alfalfa, however, contains higher levels of protein than both grains and regular forage, making it a valuable supplement in muscle development.
Most horses require a supplementary feed with relatively high protein content and sufficient levels of essential amino acids (lysine and methionine), especially when they are in intense training or need to grow and develop muscle strength. A 500-kg horse in moderate training needs 1000–1200 g of crude protein daily and 35–45 g of lysine per day (according to KER norms). Products such as Build Up, Fase Balancer, or Suregrow, in combination with the horse’s regular feed, can supply the necessary proteins. The choice of product depends on the horse’s type, age, and training level.
Vitamins, particularly vitamin E, also play a crucial role in building muscle. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, helping to break down and eliminate waste products that accumulate in the muscles during training. These waste products can degrade muscle fibers. If waste accumulates excessively or the horse struggles to eliminate it, the result can be muscle loss instead of growth, leading to increased risk of injury. In such cases, the horse’s strength diminishes, and recovery becomes more difficult.
A 500-kg horse in moderate training requires 1000–1500 IU of vitamin E daily, with higher demands if the diet includes significant amounts of oil. Vitamin E is included in most supplementary feeds (e.g., Build Up, Fase Balancer, Suregrow, or Icelandic Power). With correct feed dosing, most horses will receive adequate amounts.
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Excessive starch intake can hinder muscle development. Horses fed large amounts of grain tend to burn calories primarily through anaerobic metabolism, leading to the buildup of lactic acid in the muscles. This has a detrimental effect on muscle growth. To avoid overloading the anaerobic metabolism, keep the daily starch intake below 2 g per kg of the horse’s body weight. This requires a balanced diet where a significant portion of the energy comes from fiber and, to some extent, oil.
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, and chloride) are also critical for muscle development. They ensure proper hydration, efficient removal of muscle waste products, and regulation of body temperature. A lack of electrolytes can lead to faster muscle fatigue, reduced stamina, and impaired muscle function, ultimately increasing the risk of injury. Most horses’ electrolyte needs are met with 1 to 1½ tablespoons of salt added to their daily feed. However, if the horse sweats heavily (e.g., during transport, intense training, or in hot weather), it can be beneficial to include electrolyte supplements in their daily feed.
By addressing these factors—dietary energy, proteins, vitamins, starch, and electrolytes—you can support your horse in building the strength and stamina it needs for both everyday training and peak performance.
