Racehorse Care and Health
Racehorses are the elite athletes of the animal world. They are impressive, fit and their abilities are remarkable. Like all elite athletes though, it is important that their upkeep is managed precisely.
While racehorse care is a complex and varied pursuit, Supergrass have provided a few basic tips below.
Racehorse care is an acute science that requires careful study and attention. Every aspect of racehorse ownership, from exercise, to feeding and stabling your steed, needs to be handled with extreme care and expertise.
While this page gives a rough outline of racehorse care, we advise anyone considering buying or taking responsibility for one to do plenty of research and take expert advice.
— John Kessel, American writer
Racehorse health
In many ways, racehorses are the specimens of peak physical equine health. At least, they are if carefully managed. Their metabolisms can be fast and their sprints high, but to maintain their elite condition their diet and environment need to be well managed.
Respiratory issues are something that all horse and pony owners should be on the lookout for. Please take expert advice on the correct forage to feed when required to manage any respiratory issues.
Remember, some parts of their bodies can be fragile enough to be damaged during a race, or even in their stable. If you own a racehorse, it is important to consider this aspect of its health.
Racehorse Feeding
Racehorses need premium nutrition to reach their peak performance, including a great deal of fast-release energy. This includes protein, minerals, vitamins and plenty of fibrous carbohydrates, which are fantastic at flooding the body with energy quickly and efficiently.
These can be gained through a varied diet including cereals, hay, haylage and supplements.
Remember that all equines require access to plenty of clean, fresh water at all times.
Supergrass Grafter – Racehorse food
Supergrass Grafter haylage is an important, carefully designed part of such a balance diet. It is composed of structural carbohydrates with varying levels of energy that is released conveniently over time. Haylage offering a higher energy content also offers a higher protein content to aid muscle recovery.
Give your racehorse the best chance possible of winning, as well as being healthy and happy. Because of their delicate metabolisms and the heavy demands placed on them, it is important that their diet is carefully balanced to deliver energy while maintaining their stomachs and hind guts. Supergrass grafter is designed to do just this, with grasses selected and grown to deliver a lot of protein and energy.
In some cases a racehorses diet may be designed to gain the bulk of their working energy from other sources than their forage, in which case a high fibre forage with lower energy may be preferred, such as Supergrass Timothy Hay.
Racehorse stabling and exercise
Stabling
While some hardy, simple riding stock will do well enough in a block room of reasonable size with a yard and paddock nearby, good racehorse care requires careful attention to a few minor things, like: Flat, non-slip floors with good drainage and smooth fixtures and fittings to avoid injury.
Strong stable doors and highly secure stables are essential – Racehorses can be hugely valuable. Theft and escape are not happy events.
Cleaning
Like any athlete, wounds from trips, falls or stomach upsets can have disastrous consequences for racehorses. Take extra care when cleaning their hooves, and paddocks to remove stones and trip hazards.
Second, learn what local plants can poison your steed and keep an eye out for them. The horses environment in the stable, yard and paddock are all equally important.
Exercise
Racehorses require rigorous and carefully controlled exercise regimes conducted on a frequent basis. Warmups and cooldowns are almost as important as the main regime to reduce the high risk of injury, as are frequent veterinary visits.
While it is tempting to only focus on a racehorse’s speed, a well-rounded exercise regime will ensure your prized possession is healthier, happier, and ultimately, faster.
Apples and carrots are traditional favorites of horses. Full of healthy nutrients, these treats are good for your horse and delicious!
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*Grafter haylage
*Chilled haylage
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*Timothy hay graft bag