Among the nutrients that are important to the performance horse, energy is the dietary factor most affected by exercise. Energy is not a nutrient per se but is, rather, a measure of a feed’s potential to fuel body functions and exercise.

Horses are raised to be athletes, a number of physiological systems in the horse work together to provide fuels and oxygen for the working muscle and to remove waste products that are produced from its metabolism.

Crandell KM. 1997. Fat-soluble vitamins and the performance horse. Kentucky Equine Research Equine Nutrition Conference, Lexington KY. Feeding vitamin supplements to horses has become commonplace. There are questions about the necessity of this practice, and the dangers involved. Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) in particular can be a problem because of their ability to […]

Lawrence, L. A. 1994. Nutrition of the athletic horse. United States Pony Club 40th Annual Meeting. Reston, VA. February pp.113-114.

Lawrence, L. A. 1994. Nutrition of the performance horse: a basic review. J. Eq. Vet Sci.14, 7:390-391.

Pagan, J.D., H.Q. Murphy and S.G. Jackson. 1993. A comparison of different standard exercise tests (SET) for assessing fitness on a high-speed treadmill. In: Proc. 13th Equine Nutr. and Physiol. Soc. Symp. Gainesville, Florida. p. 160. Six Thoroughbred racehorses were used to evaluate two different types of standardized exercise tests (SET) on a 6′ inclined […]

Pagan, J.D. and S. Jackson. Nutrition related problems of the performance horse. J. Equine Veterinary Science. Lake Elsinore, California: William Jones, DVM. Feb 1993. 13:2:63-64. Click here to access.

Jackson, S.G. and Pagan, J.D. 1992 Respiratory stress and the performance horse. Journal Equine Veterinary Science 12:5:272-273. Access the article.

Pagan, J.D. 1991. Comparative microbial digestion in various species: A case study for improving animal health and performance. In: Proc. Alltech 7th Annual Symposium “Biotechnology in the Feed Industry.” Lexington, Kentucky. pp.21-31.

Greiwe K, T Ivers. 1989. Glycogen overview. Racing Science Review. July/August: 8-10.