Feeding practice and influence on selected blood parameters in show jumping horses competing inSwitzerland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional management of show jumping horses in practice with recommendations from the literature. Additionally, the effects of these feeding practices on several blood metabolic parameters before and after exercise were studied. Blood samples were collected in the field from 27 different horses at 71 trials on the level M1 to S2 show jumping competitions in Switzerland and questionnaires on feeding practice of the studied horses were evaluated. The questionnaires revealed that during training and on tournament days horses received on average 3.1 kg of concentrate per day (min. 2.0 kg, max. 6.6 kg) divided into two to three meals. The horses were fed on average 6.9 kg of roughage per day (min. 4.0 kg, max. 13.0 kg). Additionally, it was observed that the horses received the last meal on average 6 h 10 min (min. 1 h 50 min, max. 12 h 30 min) before the start of the first show jumping turn, respectively, 7 h 30 min (min 1 h 50 min, max. 13 h 0 min) before the second turn. Seven horses (35%) had access to hay waiting in the trailer between two turns. The statistical analysis revealed no significant influence of the concentrate feeding time point on lactate, triglyceride and insulin levels, but a significant influence on free fatty acids (FFA) and blood glucose concentrations. Roughage feeding of the show jumping horses 2-4 h prior to exercise revealed the most remarkable changes in blood parameters during the show jumping course. These results received under field conditions should be approved in future under standardized conditions. Conflicts of interest: 12No conflicts of interest exist. 13 Sources of funding:14 There were no external sources of funding.

Feeding Practices and Nutrient Intakes Among Elite Show Jumpers

“…It is possible that the hay offered does not adequately represent the hay consumed and is overestimated; however, no representatives reported significant wastage. The findings of a mix of commercial feeds and "raw" ingredients such as cereal grains and by-products appear to be consistent with previous research [3,4].…”

“…This study certainly does not include all the world-class horses of this discipline nor does this study includes horses that were competing at lower levels. Despite this, the present study included data from more elite horses than previously reported studies [3,4].…”

“…These elite-level horses consumed less concentrate (w3.9 kg) and more hay (w11 kg) than reported in racehorses [12]. This group of horses was offered slightly more hay than previously reported in show jumpers (w11 kg vs. 6 kg [3] and 6.9 kg [4]). The relatively high hay consumption is greater than what is typically fed to racehorses [12][13][14].…”

“…It was reported these horses were offered on average 6.0 kg of roughage and 4.9 kg of concentrate, equating to an average of 27.4 Mcal per day and 1,220 g of crude protein (CP) per day. Brunner et al [4] gave a questionnaire to trainers of show jumpers in Switzerland, and the findings reported an average of 6.9 kg of roughage and 3.1 kg of concentrates.…”

Effects of fat supplementation on plasma glucose, insulin and fatty acid analysis in ponies maintained on a forage‐based diet

“…() reported sampling frequency as a consideration for further research measuring glucose and insulin levels when studying performance horse diets. Brunner, Liesegang, Weiss, and Wichert () documented that even the timing of feeding forages significantly influenced blood glucose concentrations and free fatty acids, and thus, that will need to be considered when determining the timing and frequency of blood sampling.…”