These digestive aids supplement the natural microbial populations present in the horse s hindgut. These microbes are very susceptible to changes in the horse s diet, stress or illness experienced by the horse, and take thirty to sixty days to repopulate the gut if their numbers are diminished. Important functions of these microbes include fiber digestion and phosphorous absorption. Maintaining a nutritionally healthy horse is key to sustaining the overall health and performance of your horse throughout show season. Knowing the basics, you can make slight changes to gain an advantage.
Water maintains key hydration levels in both winter and summer.
Offer water periodically when away from home, and as always make sure it is fresh and clean. If you have a horse that won t drink new water, transport water from home. You can also add a flavoring like Gatorade or gelatin to your water at home for a few days before the show. When you travel, continue to use that same flavoring to mask the taste of new and different water. Feed good quality, dust-free hay that contains no foreign material like weeds or trash.