Equestrian associations, experts, and clubs abroad also place great emphasis on educating people about stable management.
When you have successfully purchased or bred a young, high-quality riding horse and dream of it becoming a future star, congratulations—it’s time for you to start thinking seriously. You need to make a series of wise decisions to ensure your horse can transition from a lush pasture to the competition arena. Buying a horse may be an easy decision, but others can be more challenging, such as: which equestrian club should you board your horse at? Who will train it? Who is the farrier? Who is a good vet? What if it gets injured? How do you shape it into an outstanding athlete?
Nutrition is a prerequisite for a horse’s health. If your horse is well-fed, its chances of success are a hundred times higher than those of a young horse with insufficient nutrition.
When your young superstar is between two and a half and three years old, you want it to be well-fed and receive adequate supplements to ensure the normal growth and development of muscles, bones, and tendons—essential for the horse’s long-term health. The ages of 2 to 3 are a growth period for horses, and the stress caused by training is something to pay attention to. Genetically, thoroughbreds are bred to grow quickly, and many can start working at two years old. Generally speaking, warmbloods grow more slowly and usually begin work only after they have largely completed their physical development. Crossbred horses fall somewhere in between. You and your trainer must evaluate the horse’s development before deciding to let it grow, learn, and work simultaneously. Some fast-growing horses can be ridden after three and a half years old, but you may pay a price for starting too early, as it could lead to sports injuries that require considerable veterinary treatment.
Your training plan should incorporate proper nutrition, exercise, and management, as these are all essential for success. My goal is to help you address nutritional issues and provide you with the best path to success.
Six Quick Steps to Successfully Raise a Horse
Step 1: A horse that is just starting training must adapt to its new environment. In many cases, horses are not used to being stabled 24 hours a day. The mental stress of the horse must not be overlooked, and it’s necessary to develop a feeding strategy to help it relax. For example, feed small meals frequently—four or more times a day—and ensure the horse has access to fresh, high-quality hay or cut grass 24 hours a day.
Step 2: Simply providing a young working horse with the nutrition needed for proper growth and development is not always enough, as it also requires additional nutrients to repair tissue damage caused by training and to replenish energy lost due to stress.
Step 3: Gradually increase the energy content in the feed for young horses and improve the nutritional level. Avoid sudden changes in feed composition, as this may cause digestive issues.
Step 4: It may be necessary to supplement with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, but adding too much at once is not only a waste of money but may also lead to negative chemical reactions in the feed mix or within the horse’s body. Understanding what supplements your horse needs and why is like replenishing deficient elements in local soil—so that the hay or grain grown later can absorb them from the soil.
Step 5: Increase additional nutrition and supplements at least three months before the horse starts working. This will adequately provide the nutrients required for the horse’s body tissues during work. Of course, it’s ideal to start supplementing the necessary nutrients and additives even earlier than three months in advance.
Step 6: Coordinate the horse’s work schedule and feeding times, and establish a routine. For example, avoid feeding the horse two hours before intense work, and make sure the horse has calmed down after exercise before feeding.
Step 6: Coordinate the horse’s work schedule and feeding times, and establish a routine. For example, avoid feeding the horse two hours before intense work, and make sure the horse has calmed down after exercise before feeding.
Feeding Schedule
Ensure the feed is of high quality and sufficient quantity. Once a schedule is established, stick to it. Of course, the diet should fit within your budget, and the feeding times should also be practical.