Performance
A: Feeding small amounts of hay prior to exercise and allowing constant access to water is always recommended. However, feeding grain concentrates to performance horses is not recommended within 3 to 5 hours prior to competition. Avoiding last minute meals of grain will allow horses to properly mobilize and utilize carbohydrate and fat during exercise. Feeding post exercise is critical to the recovery of the horse. Following exercise, horses should be immediately provided with hay and water. Once the horses have consumed hay and drank water, a meal of a balanced grain concentrate should be provided within 1.5 hrs after exercise.
A: When horses sweat it results in both loss of water and electrolytes. Electrolytes are charged particles, including sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. Loss of electrolytes causes fatigue, muscle weakness and decreases the thirst response from dehydration. Therefore, it is vital to replace both water and electrolyte losses in exercising horses. HYGAIN REGAIN is a rapid electrolyte replacer. Horses should be supplemented with electrolytes the night before and the morning of heavy exercise to ensure adequate utilization.
