October 2005

Supplements Fail When It Comes To Performance Horses

We were disappointed in the ability of 20 supplements to fill nutritional gaps for our hard-working horse.

Horses in moderate to heavy work require higher levels of nutrients.

In July 2005, we looked at 20 widely available supplements and how they worked for three hay-based diets from across the country, with an eye toward the horse at maintenance. This time, we’ll see how these supplements measure up in performance-horse diets of hay and plain oats.

Our model horse is still an 1,100-lb. adult, but now he’s doing moderate work, which we’ll define as 45 to 60 minutes per day of uninterrupted formal activity, most at the trot and canter. …