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

This research study examined the feeding habits of show jumping horses in Switzerland and explored how these practices may affect various blood metabolic levels before and after exercise. The study also looked at how closely real-life feeding practices align with recommendations from literature.

Nutritional Management and Feeding Practices

• The research was conducted using field-collected blood samples and questionnaires about feeding habits from 27 different horses that participated in 71 trials on intermediate to advanced show jumping competitions.
• The study revealed that on average, the horses received 3.1 kg of concentrate feed per day during training and tournament days, broken up into two to three meals. The smallest daily amount was 2 kg, while the largest was 6.6 kg.
• It was also found that the horses were fed an average of 6.9 kg of roughage (fibrous plant material) daily, with the minimum and maximum being 4 kg and 13 kg, respectively.

Feeding Timing and Intervals

• The study observed that the last meal was given to the horses, on average, 6 hours and 10 minutes before the start of the first show jumping round, and approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes before the second round. The shortest and longest intervals noted were 1 hour and 50 minutes, and 13 hours respectively.
• Interestingly, 35% of the horses had access to hay while waiting in the trailer between two turns.

Impact on Blood Metabolic Parameters

• Data analysis pointed out that the timing of concentrate feeding had no statistically significant effect on lactate, triglyceride, and insulin levels in the horses’ blood. However, the timing did significantly influence the concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) and blood glucose.
• The study found the most remarkable changes in blood parameters when horses were fed roughage 2-4 hours before exercise during the show jumping course.
• In conclusion, the study suggests these findings achieved under field conditions should be validated in the future under controlled, standardized conditions for more accurate results.