Koń rekreacyjny
A leisure horse spends longer in work, but its effort is lighter and more even. It therefore needs energy that is stable and slow-release, so that it can keep its strength over a longer time without becoming excessively excitable. That is why ready-made concentrates with a lower energy concentration, based on fibre and a moderate amount of starch, suit leisure horses best. Mixes containing barley, lucerne, bran or oilseed cakes are a better choice than oats, which have a strongly stimulating effect. Vegetable oils are also used more and more often in the diet of leisure horses, supplying worthwhile energy without the risk of over-excitability.
As for supplements, ready-made feeds should supply the vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in a diet based mainly on hay. It is also worth thinking about further support: products for the joints (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM) and feed yeast to support the gut, which means better digestion of fibre. For nervous horses, magnesium can be useful, as it supports the nervous system and helps them stay calm when working with less experienced riders.
Koń sportowy
A sport horse works for less time, but the effort is very intense and calls for energy to be supplied more quickly. That is why ready-made concentrates with a higher energy concentration are used more and more often in this case. They are based on cereal mixes in suitable proportions, with fibrous ingredients and vegetable oils added. Energy is then supplied in a balanced way – some of it quickly, to provide power during training, and some of it more slowly, to support stamina and recovery. Very useful ingredients include lucerne, which supplies high-quality protein, and rice bran, a source of fat that contains gamma-oryzanol, a compound that supports the development of muscle mass.
Supplementation plays a key role for sport horses. Intense work means a large loss of electrolytes, so it is worth choosing ready-made mixes that contain a suitable amount, or using additional products during competitions and during training in high temperatures. Antioxidants, essential amino acids and ingredients that support the bones and joints also play an important part in the sport horse’s diet, reducing the risk of overload and injury. Supplements that support the nervous system, such as magnesium and tryptophan, are helpful too. They help the horse stay focused and emotionally balanced in the competition environment.
To sum up, the differences in feeding leisure horses and sport horses come from the way their bodies use energy. Leisure horses need above all a stable fuel for longer, quieter work, whereas sport horses need energy quickly and support in recovering from intensive training. That is why a leisure horse does best on feeds with a lower energy concentration and plenty of fibre, while a sport horse needs feeds with a higher concentration of energy, protein and fat, as well as supplements that support the muscles, electrolytes and recovery.