How to Support your Horse’s Muscles: Feeding & Management

Horses are muscular animals, with a high proportion of muscle mass relative to their body weight. This impressive musculature has been shaped through centuries of selective breeding for athletic traits, including speed and strength, that enable horses to excel in racing, sport and work.

For the typical horse, muscles make up approximately 40% of their total body weight. In horses bred for athletic performance, such as Thoroughbreds, muscle may comprise as much as 55% of their body weight. ^[1]

Breeding practices to select horses for specific equestrian disciplines have not only led to differences in muscle composition between horse breeds, but also in muscle arrangement within the body.

Horses bred for speed typically have longer muscle fibers, allowing for a greater speed of contraction. Conversely, horses bred for power, such as draft horses, have shorter but thicker muscles, providing improved pulling capacity. ^[1]

Whether your horse is an elite athlete or a pleasure mount, supporting muscle health is an important part of optimizing their overall performance and well-being. Continue reading to learn more about how diet, management and training impact muscle function in horses.

Muscle Anatomy in Horses

Horses have a complex muscular system that supports a wide range of movements and activities, from high-speed gallops to intricate dressage movements. Their musculature, especially in the hindquarters, is highly developed, enabling powerful propulsion for running and jumping.

The horse’s body comprises over 700 different muscles, with a large percentage of their body weight consisting of muscle mass. This provides impressive strength, speed, and endurance while also enabling horses to support the weight of a rider and pull heavy loads.

Wondering how to boost your horse’s muscle strength and improve their athletic performance? First, it’s important to understand how muscles work throughout the body and how training and nutrition impact overall fitness and muscle function.

Types of Muscles

Horses have three different types of muscles in their body:

• Skeletal Muscles: These are the most abundant, can be controlled voluntarily, and are responsible for movement. Skeletal muscles span the distance between two bones and are attached to bones by tendons.
• Smooth Muscles: These muscles are found in the internal organs and are not under voluntary control. They help in functions like digestion and blood flow.
• Cardiac Muscle: This muscle type is only found in the heart. It works continuously and involuntarily, pumping blood throughout the body.

While all three types of muscles play an important role in the horse’s body, skeletal muscles are the main focus for equestrians because they are directly involved in movement and are actively trained during exercise. The contraction of these muscles enables horses to perform movements required for different athletic disciplines.

Major Muscle Groups

Horses have several major skeletal muscle groups that are important for strength and mobility:

• Neck Muscles: These include muscles such as the brachiocephalicus and sternocephalicus, which help with moving the neck and head. Strong neck muscles are critical for balance and posture.
• Back Muscles: There are many muscles that support the horse’s back and make up the “topline”. For example, longissimus dorsi, which runs along the spine, is key for the lateral flexibility of the spine. Strong back muscles are not only important for carrying the weight of a rider, but also for posture, core strength, and stability.
• Shoulder Muscles: Includes the trapezius and deltoid muscles, which aid in movement of the front limbs and are integral for actions like jumping and galloping.
• Forelimb Muscles: Essential for locomotion and agility, muscles like the brachialis, biceps brachii, and the various extensor and flexor muscles manage the intricate movements of the legs and hooves.
• Hindquarters & Lower Hindlimb Muscles: Includes the gluteal muscles, which are critical for propulsion, as well as the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, which contribute to the horse’s ability to sprint and jump.
• Abdominal Muscles: These muscles support the internal organs, help with breathing, and play a role in the flexibility and stability of the horse’s body.
• Tail Muscles: The tail muscles assist in communication and balance, allowing the horse to use its tail expressively and maintain stability during quick movements.

Each of these muscle groups has a specific function, ensuring horses can move effectively and respond to the demands of their environment and training. Depending on the type of work your horse performs, your training program should emphasize building specific muscle groups to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

Muscle Contractions

Muscle contractions in horses are complex processes that involve multiple steps to facilitate movement. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how skeletal muscle contractions occur:

1. Neural Activation: The process begins with an electrical signal from the nervous system telling the muscle to contract. Neurotransmitters are released at the neuromuscular junction, where nerves from the brain or spinal cord connect with the muscle fiber.
2. Calcium Release: The electrical signal triggers the sarcoplasmic reticulum (a specialized organelle within the muscle cell) to release calcium ions into the cytoplasm of the muscle fiber. Calcium binds to the protein troponin, causing a conformational change that allows actin and myosin to interact.
3. Intracellular Signaling: When activated by neurotransmitters, signals within the cell trigger a series of events that produce energy to fuel a muscle contraction.
4. ATP Production: For muscle contraction to occur, cellular energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) must be available. ATP is generated through various metabolic pathways within the muscle cell.
5. Muscle Contraction: ATP powers muscle contraction by enabling the actin and myosin filaments within the muscle fibers to slide past each other, effectively shortening the muscle and generating force.
6. Force Generation: The amount of force produced depends on how many motor units (groups of muscle fibers and their controlling nerve) are activated, the frequency of their activation (rate of neural signals), the muscle fiber’s length (optimal actin–myosin overlap), and the muscle’s cross-sectional area. The combination of these factors determines how much tension a muscle can develop at any given time.
7. Relaxation Phase: Muscles return to their resting state after contraction. This is essential for preparing the muscle for the next contraction.

Understanding this process helps horse owners, trainers, and veterinarians appreciate the complexity of movement and lays the foundation for better care, training, post-exercise and rehabilitation strategies.

Energy Metabolism

For your horse’s muscles to work effectively, they need energy to fuel muscle contractions. Energy metabolism for muscles involves converting biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the primary energy currency of the cell.

Energy in muscle cells is produced through two main pathways: anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Both pathways generate ATP, but they operate at different rates and require different conditions. ^[2]

• Anaerobic Metabolism: Generates energy quickly without the need for oxygen, making it ideal for short, high-intensity activities. This pathway relies on glucose (either from stored glycogen or blood sugar) to produce ATP. However, it produces less ATP per molecule of glucose than aerobic metabolism and produces lactate and hydrogen ions, which can lead to muscle fatigue.
• Aerobic Metabolism: Aerobic metabolism requires oxygen and produces ATP much more efficiently, though at a slower rate, making it suitable for long-duration and moderate-intensity activities. This pathway can generate energy from glucose and fat (from adipose tissue or intramuscular fat). Along with ATP, aerobic metabolism also produces carbon dioxide and water as by-products, which are easily expelled from the body.

Under aerobic conditions (when oxygen is sufficient), metabolism of glucose is completed in the mitochondria, yielding 36 ATP compared to only 2 in the anaerobic pathway.

Figure 1: Production of energy (ATP) and lactate from aerobic versus anaerobic metabolism

Illustration: Dr. Ana Mesa, PhD

Proper conditioning improves the efficiency of these two metabolic pathways in horses, increasing power output for quick, intense efforts and enhancing stamina for sustained activities.

Different equestrian disciplines may emphasize anaerobic or aerobic fitness due to the specific demands of each sport. However, a well-rounded training program should include exercises to enhance both anaerobic and aerobic capabilities.

Muscle Fiber Type

Muscles are made up of individual muscle cells known as muscle fibers, which are coordinated to produce the force necessary for movement.

There are three main types of muscle fibers that are differentiated by the way they produce energy and how quickly they contract: ^[3]

• Type I: These fibers are known for their high aerobic capacity and slow contraction speed. They are highly efficient at using oxygen to generate fuel for sustained activities and are typically engaged during endurance tasks.
• Type IIa: These fibers possess a balance of aerobic and anaerobic capacity, allowing them to contract quickly. They are adaptable and used for activities that require both endurance and power.
• Type IIx: These fibers have a high contraction speed but low aerobic capacity, relying more on anaerobic processes for short bursts of high-intensity activity, such as sprinting.

Muscles in a horse’s body consist of all three types of fibers, as well as hybrid fibers that show characteristics of both slow-twitch (Type I) and fast-twitch (Type II) fibers.

The composition of muscle fibers in a horse is dynamic, not static, meaning it can change based on various factors such as exercise routines, diet, and health status.

Training for a specific discipline can significantly influence the distribution and efficiency of specific fiber types. For example, horses involved in long-distance events often undergo training programs that emphasize aerobic capacity. This type of conditioning promotes a shift toward greater numbers of Type I and Type IIa fibers, which excel at sustained energy production and moderate power output. ^[4]

On the other hand, disciplines requiring short, intense bursts of speed — such as barrel racing or show jumping — tend to favor the development of Type IIx fibers, known for their rapid contraction speed and higher reliance on anaerobic energy pathways. ^[5]

Satellite Cells

Satellite cells are another key component of a horse’s muscles, playing a role in growth and repair. Located on the periphery of muscle fibers, these specialized stem cells remain dormant until they are activated by muscle strain or injury.

When muscle damage occurs, satellite cells multiply and differentiate into mature muscle cells, which then fuse into existing muscle fibers to repair the muscle.

Breed Differences

A horse’s muscle mass and strength depend partly on genetics. Over time, selective breeding for specific purposes has led to notable differences in muscle characteristics among various breeds.

For example, American Quarter Horses have been bred for sprinting speed and power, often exhibiting more pronounced hindlimb musculature. In contrast, draft horses — who are bred for pulling heavy loads — tend to have a larger total muscle mass distributed throughout their bodies. ^[1]

Similarly, Arabians, who are bred for endurance in hot climates, display a more moderate muscle profile better suited for sustained activity. ^[6]

However, training also plays a major role in shaping muscle mass and distribution. In a study comparing elite racing Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, the Thoroughbreds showed greater thickness in key forelimb muscles, demonstrating that targeted exercise can significantly affect muscle development. ^[1]

In other words, while genetics set the stage, how you train your horse can alter its muscle mass, distribution, and performance capabilities.

Muscle Fiber Type

In addition to variations in muscle distribution, different breeds also exhibit differences in the types of muscle fibers they possess. For example, Thoroughbreds, who require significant aerobic capacity for running, have a higher proportion of Type IIa muscle fibers. ^[7]

Conversely, breeds like the Belgian and Andalusian, known for their explosive power, have a higher proportion of Type IIx fast twitch, glycolytic fibers. ^[8][9]

These differences in muscle fiber type are reflected by differences in oxidative capacity present even before exercise training begins, highlighting a genetic component. ^[10]

Effects of Exercise on Muscle

As in humans, regular exercise in horses generally increases muscle mass, causing muscle fibers to grow larger and stronger. Training also produces changes in the relative amounts of different muscle fiber types. ^[4]

Adaptations to exercise also involve changes in the immune and antioxidant systems, which help mitigate stress on muscles and support recovery after physical activity. These physiological responses contribute to maintaining overall muscle health and function over time.

Exercise for Young Horses

While some owners are hesitant to start training horses at a young age, several studies show that light exercise has benefits for muscle health in young horses.

Horses that begin training for show jumping by performing free jumping and work on a mechanical walker adapted well to training and developed larger muscle fibers by 3 years of age. ^[11] This finding suggests that early, structured, appropriate exercise may contribute to stronger muscles in young horses.

Research also shows that swim training in combination with running increases the percentage of fast-twitch highly oxidative fibers, indicating increased aerobic capacity of the muscle. ^[12] This training approach could help horses maintain high-intensity exercise for a longer period of time.

Beyond changes in fiber type, exercise training in young horses also appears to decrease inflammation, which may support muscle health and performance. ^[13] Exercise training also increases the antioxidant capacity of muscle tissue, protecting muscles from the natural increase in oxidants that can damage the tissue following exercise. ^[14]

Exercise for Senior Horses

Age-related loss of muscle mass is a common concern for senior horses. It often manifests as a loss of topline that can be difficult to recover.

Aged horses have fewer satellite stem cells surrounding type II fast-twitch fibers, as well as lower mitochondrial function and capacity to produce energy. ^[15] This means they have a reduced capacity to regenerate and maintain muscle, along with less efficient energy production for muscle contractions. Over time, these factors can lead to further muscle atrophy and decreased performance.

Research shows that exercise increases the number of satellite cells surrounding type II fast-twitch fibers, suggesting a beneficial effect on muscle health for older horses. Although exercise training in senior horses may improve muscle health and overall muscle mass, it is unlikely to fully restore them to the levels seen in their younger years. ^[16]

Management to Support Muscle Health

In addition to a consistent exercise routine, there are management considerations that can optimize your horse’s muscle health. Making sure your horse gets plenty of voluntary activity and ensuring they are properly warmed up and cooled down have an impact on fitness and conditioning.

Turnout

Turnout is an often underappreciated form of physical activity for horses. Time spent grazing on forage and interacting with other horses offers the opportunity for voluntary exercise and the expression of free movement.

Compared to stalled horses, those with access to large pastures can maintain their fitness similarly to those doing light exercise. ^[16]

Warm Up & Cool Down

Typical warm up routines consist of exercises that are a lower intensity than the planned workout, such as walking and jogging. Static stretching can also be helpful for loosening muscles before physical activity.

Warm up routines and stretching have been shown to reduce fatigue during intense exercise. ^[17]

Cooling down is also an important component of healthy exercise routines. Horses that are cooled for 15 to 30 minutes following intense exercise recover more quickly compared to those that are not actively cooled down. ^[18] Similar to warm ups, cool down activities should consist of low intensity exercises such as walking or jogging.

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Nutrition for Muscle Health

Providing your horse with a well-balanced diet that meets all nutrient requirements is critical for maintaining strong, healthy muscles.

Adequate protein supplies the amino acids needed for muscle repair and growth, while vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants support nerve signaling and help protect muscle tissue from exercise-induced stress.

Energy from fiber, carbohydrates and fat also ensure that muscle has the fuel it needs to sustain exercise and support recovery.

Dietary Energy

A horse’s energy requirement is determined based on their body weight and activity level. Meeting energy demands is essential for maintaining muscle mass and function.

For sedentary horses or those in light exercise, forage alone can often meet their energy needs. However, for horses with greater energy demands such as growing, lactating, or heavily exercising horses, supplemental energy may be needed to maintain a good body condition.

Energy requirements for an average 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse

Energy Sources

When horses require additional energy in their diet, supplying calories from fat and fiber rather than sugar and starch is best for supporting muscle health.

The following feeds are good options for exercising horses who are not meeting their energy needs from forage alone:

• Beet pulp: A high-fiber feed that offers readily digestible energy.
• Alfalfa: A legume hay known for its higher protein, energy and calcium levels than grass hay.
• Oils: Vegetable and seed oils (e.g. canola, soybean, flax, camelina) are calorie-dense and low in starch. Marine-derived oils such as fish oil or microalgal oil provide DHA and EPA which are anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that can support muscle health. Microalgal oil is found in Mad Barn’s W-3 Oil.
• High-Fat Feeds: These typically contain added vegetable oils or other fat sources, such as stabilized rice bran.

Avoid excessive amounts of grain-based feeds, which provide high levels of energy in the form of starch and sugar. Diets high in cereal grains, such as wheat and corn, may impair insulin sensitivity, which can affect overall muscle mass.

Insulin is a hormone that promotes protein synthesis and stimulates amino acid transport into muscle. In other species, lower insulin sensitivity is associated with decreased muscle mass and increased protein breakdown in the muscle. ^[19][20]

Research also shows that horses on a high-starch diet have lower insulin sensitivity, as well as delayed adaptations in insulin sensitivity following exercise training. ^[21][22]

Despite this, some dietary starch and sugar remains necessary to replenish the body’s glycogen stores — the storage form of glucose in muscles. This is particularly important for horses like Thoroughbreds that rely on glycogen in competition. ^[23]

Therefore, while avoiding excessive grain-based feeds is recommended to protect muscle health, supplying an appropriate amount of starch and sugar is key for optimal performance and recovery.

Protein & Amino Acids

Protein is a critical dietary component for supporting muscle health. Horses break down protein in their diet to absorb amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle.

Most horses in moderate or lower exercise intensities can meet their protein requirements with average quality grass hay alone. However, horses with higher protein demands, such as growing, lactating or heavily exercising horses, may require additional protein to meet their demands.

High-protein feeds that can be added to the equine diet include:

• Soybean meal
• Alfalfa
• Canola meal
• Flaxseed meal

Protein requirements of an average 500 kg (1,100 lb) horse

Providing sufficient — but not excessive — protein is important for maintaining an optimal acid-base balance in both sedentary and exercising horses. ^[24][25]

During normal metabolism and exercise, the body produces hydrogen ions, which contribute to acidity. Multiple buffering systems work to regulate these ions and keep the body’s pH within a healthy range, ensuring proper muscle function at the cellular level. ^[26]

Providing too much protein, however, can be metabolically demanding because excess amino acids must be broken down and excreted. Striking the right balance of protein intake therefore supports metabolic function and muscle health.

Amino Acids

In addition to consuming adequate protein, horses need adequate essential amino acids in their diet to build and maintain muscle. Essential amino acids must be provided through the diet because horses cannot produce enough of them on their own.

Of the ten essential amino acids, lysine, threonine, and methionine are considered limiting amino acids, meaning they are the most likely to limit protein synthesis in horses.

Supplemental lysine and threonine have been shown to improve muscle mass in horses engaged in light exercise programs. ^[27]

However, for sedentary horses whose diets already provide sufficient protein, additional amino acid supplementation may not be necessary. ^[28] You can consult an equine nutritionist to determine if amino acid supplements could benefit your horse’s feeding program.

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Electrolytes

Electrolytes are minerals that conduct an electrical charge in a horse’s body. In addition to being an important component of sweat, electrolytes are important for nerve signaling and muscle contraction.

Key electrolytes involved in muscle function include:

• Sodium and Potassium: Movement of these ions in and out of muscle cells via the sodium/potassium pump changes the cell’s electrical charge in response to a neural signal, initiating muscle contraction
• Magnesium: Plays a major role in transmitting nerve signals to muscle and is critical for muscle relaxation
• Calcium: Regulates both the contraction and relaxation phases of the muscle

Most electrolyte minerals are abundant in forage and other common equine feeds. However, sodium is typically deficient in most equine diets.

For horses at maintenance or in light exercise, feeding salt is a simple way to ensure adequate electrolytes. Add two ounces (4 tablespoons) of plain salt to daily rations and provide free-choice access to loose salt.

Horses in heavier training can benefit from an electrolyte supplement containing sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium to replace the electrolytes lost in sweat.

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• Supports exercise performance
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Vitamins and Minerals

Several vitamins and minerals are important for optimal muscle function in horses. These nutrients are involved with energy metabolism, tissue repair, and protection against oxidative stress:

• Vitamin E: A potent antioxidant that shields muscle cells from damage caused by free radicals, especially in horses undergoing intense exercise.
• Selenium: Works with vitamin E to support antioxidant defenses and protect muscle tissue from oxidative damage. Adequate selenium levels are crucial in preventing muscle disorders such as tying-up.
• B-Complex Vitamins: Critical for converting dietary nutrients into usable energy for muscle contraction. Biotin, thiamine, riboflavin, and other B vitamins play key roles in metabolic pathways that fuel exercise.
• Copper and Zinc: Essential for a variety of enzyme functions, including those involved in muscle metabolism and tissue repair. Adequate copper and zinc also help maintain healthy connective tissues and joints to support exercise performance.

Mad Barn’s Omneity® Pellets are an all-in-one vitamins and mineral supplement that provides key nutrients along with amino acids, a complete profile of B-vitamins, and yeast to promote overall well-being. Feeding Omneity® ensures horses receive the optimal balance of vitamins and minerals to support muscle function and overall health.

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When in doubt, consult a qualified equine nutritionist to confirm your horse’s diet meets their specific nutritional needs.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect muscle cells from oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals within the cell membrane. Adequate vitamin E intake is especially critical for exercising horses to minimize oxidative stress and support muscle health. ^[29]

According to the Nutrient Requirements of Horses, horses in work should receive at least 1,000 IU per day of vitamin E. ^[30]

While some studies report no additional benefits when feeding beyond recommended levels, another study observed reduced oxidative stress with higher supplementation, suggesting potential benefits for heavily exercised horses. ^[31][32][33]

Selenium

Selenium is a trace mineral with important roles in maintaining muscle health. It is a component of antioxidant enzymes that neutralize free radicals, as well as selenoproteins that are involved in mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. ^[34]

In foals, selenium deficiency causes white muscle disease, with symptoms such as: ^[35]

• Weakness
• Impaired locomotion
• Respiratory distress
• Impaired cardiac function

In adult horses, white muscle disease is uncommon. ^[36] However, adequate selenium supply is still important for supporting healthy skeletal muscles.

Selenium supplementation has been shown to increase antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress following exercise. ^[37] In addition, selenium supplementation may improve the number and function of mitochondria in muscle. ^[38]

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Supplements for Muscle Health

A balanced, forage-based diet is the first step to supporting muscle health in your horse. Feeding a forage-based diet means providing sufficient forage to allow free-choice access, or at least 1.5% of the horse’s body weight per day in hay dry matter.

Once the horse’s diet is balanced, you can consider other nutritional supplements to provide additional support for muscle health.

Understanding each product’s ingredients and scientific research can help owners make informed decisions about whether to include them in their horse’s feeding program.

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Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a specialized form of carnitine that helps transport fatty acids into mitochondria, where they are broken down to produce energy.

Because 95% of carnitine is stored in heart and skeletal muscle, this nutrient is particularly important for supporting muscle energy metabolism. ^[39]

Studies have found that carnitine supplementation can: ^{[40][41][42][43]}

• Support healthy muscle adaptation to exercise programs
• Aid recovery after strenuous exercise
• Reduce exercise-induced muscle damage in part by reducing oxidative stress

By improving how muscles use and regenerate energy, acetyl-L-carnitine may positively impact muscle health and performance.

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• Supports muscle function
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MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)

MSM is a sulfur-based compound often included in diets to support joint health and post-exercise care. Sulfur is a trace mineral that is important for the formation of collagen, a structural component in joint cartilage and connective tissues.

Research indicates that MSM supplementation may assist muscle recovery after heavy work by helping neutralize free radicals produced during intense exercise. It may also support normal regulation of the inflammatory response following strenuous activity. ^[44]

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those derived from fish oil or algae, can support muscle health and post-exercise care by maintaining normal regulation of inflammatory responses and insulin sensitivity. Supplementing with DHA-rich microalgal oil also supports joint health and improved lameness scores. ^[45]

In polo horses, supplementing with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA blunted some post-exercise markers of inflammation, which may support improved exercise recovery. ^[46]

Feeding fat sources also contributes to a glycogen-sparing effect by shifting muscle metabolism toward using more fat for energy, thereby preserving limited glycogen stores for high-intensity efforts. Research also shows that horses receiving dietary fat galloped faster and maintained steadier heart rates, suggesting improved fitness and tolerance for strenuous exercise. ^[47]

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Branched Chain Amino Acids

The branched-chain amino acids — isoleucine, leucine, and valine — help activate muscle-building proteins and can serve as an additional energy source for working muscle. ^[48][49]

Research findings on BCAA supplementation in horses are mixed. Some studies indicate little to no benefit, while others report positive effects on immune function and insulin response after exercise. ^{[50][51][52][53]}

These inconsistencies suggest that BCAAs may offer advantages under certain conditions, but more investigation is needed to clarify their role in equine performance and recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about muscle health in horses:

Summary

Equine muscle is an intricate combination of muscle fiber cells and supporting cells that work together to support movement, adapt to new stimuli such as exercise, and build and repair itself.

• A horse's muscle physiology is dependent on internal factors like genetics, as well as external factors like exercise
• In addition to these basic factors, management practices such as allowing adequate voluntary activity, and warming up/cooling down horses appropriately can help to support muscle health
• These considerations combined with a well balanced diet that meets your horse's requirements will support muscle health and performance