What’s everyone feeding their competition horses?

[Fingerontheneckstrap]

Hey everyone,

Back out eventing my boy this weekend. We stepped up to BE90 a few weeks ago and fingers crossed BE100 by the end of the season, and while he has scope, fitness and willingness for it, he just doesn’t have the natural buzziness needed to make a fast, optimum time at the minute. He is very fit and does have a high speed button when you really ask him - but it’s not a lack of fitness, it’s just his personality

So looking to change his feed to see if it makes a difference and makes him a bit more sharper and forward - and wondering what other horses are being fed at the moment?

He’s currently on baileys high fibre course mix and chaff which is very much non heating - but I’d be happy to consider something heating as he would need it. Ideally oat free as they just don’t seem to agree with him!

If you have any ideas for me, let me know below but I’d also just be interested to see what people are feeding in general!

 

[millitiger]

Rolled oats should help.

Also make sure you are feeding plenty of salt and then electrolytes around busier times/events.

Mine is very similar- super fit and healthy but could lack spark.
He is on oats, linseed and readygrass with salt and electrolytes when competing.
He would also usually have a hard feed after dressage and before jumping at the event to help too.

 

[Fingerontheneckstrap]

Rolled oats should help.

Also make sure you are feeding plenty of salt and then electrolytes around busier times/events.

Mine is very similar- super fit and healthy but could lack spark.
He is on oats, linseed and readygrass with salt and electrolytes when competing.
He would also usually have a hard feed after dressage and before jumping at the event to help too.

Never actually considered a hard feed before jumping, usually save a big soupy bucket of mash and electrolytes for the end to rehydrate but might incorporate that and see if it makes a difference!

Tried an oat based feed at the start of the year when getting his fitness levels up and it seemed to go through him and upset his tummy but maybe it was just that specific brand or an ingredient in the mix, might give a different brand a go.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Barley Rings I always used as a child to buzz up my pony when needed