Feeding before exercise and competition in the performance horse

Abstract

There has been considerable debate across the years about when and what should be fed to performance horses (eventers, show- jumpers, endurance horses etc.) before they are exercised and/or at a competition in order to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal disturbances and other adverse sequellae. Should they be fed or fasted and when should the hay be fed in relation to the grain and/or exercise? This paper reviews, in particular, some of the work that WALTHAM and its collaborators around the world have done in this area.