Question

My high-level barrel-racing horse runs out of gas going to the third barrel. The gelding has a history of tying-up, but I seem to have that under control with diet and exercise. Is there a pre-race supplement that might help with early-onset fatigue?

Answer

Like many high-performance horses, barrel-racers require top-notch nutrition, and this often includes targeted supplementation.

Nano-E and Nano-Q10 can be used together to provide superior antioxidant support and protect against exercise-induced muscle damage. Nano-E delivers water-soluble, natural-source vitamin E with unrivaled bioavailability, and Nano-Q10 provides coenzyme Q10, which boosts production of energy at the cellular level.

Supplementing with amino acids, particularly branched chain amino acids (BCAAs), may be worthwhile. MFM Pellet features a concentrated source of amino acids, including BCAAs, and the antioxidant n-acetyl cysteine. While MFM Pellet was designed specifically for horses with myofibrillar myopathy (MFM), this supplement would also be appropriate in your situation.

The ideal time for supplementing amino acids in relation to exercise is still unclear; however, it is generally recommended that amino acids be given one to two hours prior to exercise or within one hour after exercise. Feeding before exercise delivers substrates used for energy production during exercise, whereas feeding after exercise supports greater muscle recovery. Amino acid supplementation should start at least one week prior to competition, but it could also be offered daily.

On competition days, offering a small meal (0.5 lb or 0.25 kg) of oats or sweet feed and MFM Pellet prior to the run may be the best approach, as this will provide a source of starch and sugar as well as amino acids to fuel sustained performance.