Horses most at risk of muscle acidosis are those doing short but very intense work, such as racehorses, showjumpers and eventers during the cross-country phase. The risk is also higher in horses that are poorly conditioned, dehydrated or working in high temperatures. Remember that muscle acidosis is not solely the result of one hard training session. It often develops when the body does not have enough time to recover, or when the intensity of work is increased too abruptly.
The foundation of prevention is properly planned training. Increasing the intensity of work gradually improves the body’s fitness and means the muscles use aerobic metabolism to produce energy for longer. A warm-up before work is just as important, as is walking the horse off quietly at the end of training, which supports muscle recovery and a gradual return of the body to rest.
Feeding also plays an important role. The diet of a sport horse should be based on good-quality hay and a suitably chosen feed. It is worth avoiding excessive doses of starch from cereals, and supplying part of the energy from fat, for example vegetable oils or rice bran. This approach helps to spare muscle glycogen stores and limits the share of anaerobic metabolism during work.
A suitable supply of electrolytes should not be forgotten. In sweat the horse loses above all sodium, chloride and potassium, and a shortfall of these can impair muscle function and prolong recovery after work. That is why, during intensive training and competitions, it is worth replacing them and making sure the horse has constant access to fresh water.
Further support for the muscles comes from ingredients with an antioxidant effect, above all vitamin E and selenium, which help to limit the oxidative stress that arises during intense work. An adequate supply of high-quality protein and essential amino acids also matters. They support the repair of micro-damage to muscle fibres and the body’s recovery after training.
To sum up, muscle acidosis cannot always be prevented completely, but properly conducted training, a well-balanced diet and proper recovery significantly reduce the risk of it occurring. The horse then returns to full fitness more quickly, copes better with intense work and achieves better sporting results! 🏇