Food and supplements for racing horses and camels
How can you perform well at racecourses and win the most beautiful victories?
If you're a breeder or owner of horses or camels, you've probably heard of . nutritional supplements. These are products with various nutritional compositions, designed to improve the athletic performance and general well-being of your animals
Used in conjunction with a balanced diet, they can contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, probiotics and other ingredients that are needed to strengthen these animals' bones, muscles and immune systems.
In this article, we'll look at the various benefits of feed supplements for racehorses and camels , and discover why they've become an indispensable ally for equines!
- The importance of a balanced feeding routine for racehorses and dromedaries
- Why feed supplements to racehorses and dromedaries?
- When should you supplement your racehorses and dromedaries?
- What types of feed supplements are available for racehorses and dromedaries?
The importance of a balanced feeding routine for racehorses and dromedaries
You can't feed a horse or a dromedary in the same way. If you have a dual objective: sport and health, feeding is more a question of sports dietetics.
Indeed, you need to pay particular attention to the nutritional needs of these animals and maintain a balanced feeding routine for racehorses and dromedaries to provide them with the energy and nutrients they need to perform optimally.
Equines have high nutritional requirements due to their intense physical activity, so they need a specific diet that provides all the nutrients they need for growth and development, including quality proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, minerals and vitamins.
It is therefore recommended to provide a natural daily diet rich in nutrients and adapted to the needs of each racing animal, depending on its age, activity level and state of health.
Why feed supplements to racehorses and dromedaries?
The aim of feed supplements for racehorses and dromedaries is, on the one hand, to maintain perfect physical condition and, on the other, to provide a balanced energy diet with vitamins (mainly B12, which plays an active role in energy metabolism), proteins, minerals and antioxidants.
It's also important to remember that well-developed muscles and a strong skeleton are essential for a successful race.
When should you supplement your racehorses and dromedaries?
The use of feed supplements can be beneficial for racehorses and dromedaries:
- They help recovery and rehydration after intense, prolonged exertion, which is essential for maintaining equine fitness and performance.
- They can act as a booster to give the horse a boost during the racing season or on a weekend with several events.
- They support the musculature and strengthen the animal's immune defenses, while improving the appearance of its coat and mane. For example, in cases of calcium or phosphorus deficiency, which can weaken the skeleton and lead to fractures during moderate or intense physical activity.
Want to know more? Here are the details you need to take note of when using feed supplements to supplement your equine's daily ration.
Seasonality period
In winter, when natural food resources are limited or of inferior quality, dietary supplement can help provide the nutrients needed to keep the horse's or dromedary's body running smoothly. Similarly, in summer, a supplement rich in electrolytes can be useful to compensate for water loss due to perspiration.
Physiological stage of the animals
Growing horses have different nutritional requirements to adults and broodmares in gestation or lactation. Specific feed supplements can help cover these particular needs.
Training or competition period
Camelids or equines undergoing intense physical exertion need more nutrients to maintain their muscular condition and aid recovery. Dietary supplements such as proteins and minerals can help in this context.
In short, as with humans, you can remember that dietary supplements are an excellent solution for equines, but in certain very specific cases:
- Reduce fatigue,
- Optimize bone health,
- Support osteopathic treatments,
- Improve resistance to injury,
- Strengthen muscle metabolism,
- Regain weight
- Relieve osteoarthritis
- Facilitate recovery during training or competition
What types of feed supplements are available for racehorses and dromedaries?
The types of feed supplements for competition horses and dromedaries vary according to the needs of each animal. The most common are seed-, grass- and vitamin-based supplements, as well as probiotics, omega-3 and carotenoid supplementation.
Seed-based supplements are important sources of antioxidants, helping to reduce oxidative stress and improve recovery from strenuous exercise. reduce oxidative stress and improve recovery from strenuous exercise.
Another type of "sports" supplement is the vitamin-mineral supplement. Amino acid supplementation can be useful to support tissue growth and repair.
Also, for the racehorse, fiber is essential for proper intestinal function. As a result, adding probiotics to the diet helps reduce gastrointestinal problems such as colic or ulcers, inflammation, oxidative stress and metabolic regulation.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for maintaining the health of horses and camels. In fact, the addition of these supplements to the diet improves the condition of the horse's coat, reduces inflammation and joint pain associated with arthritis or injury, and reduces the risk of laminitis.
In any case, to be successful, horses and camels must be hardy, strong and tireless. To ensure their well-being and fitness during competitions, it's a good idea to give them food supplements to make up for any nutritional deficiencies or loss of form.
Discuss the matter with your veterinarian or a nutritionist specializing in equine athletes, to ensure that your "champion"'s nutritional needs are properly covered and that the doses are appropriate.