Nutrition-associated problems facing elite level three-day eventing horses.
Abstract: The main goal of feeding elite 3-day event horses is to deliver nutrients in optimal amounts to allow the horse to maximize its health and performance. However, improper nutritional management and/or physiological stressors related to intense training and competition may increase the risk of nutrition-associated disorders in these horses. An understanding of the nutrition-associated problems contributing to poor performance is critical to the health and welfare of the horse. Objective: To characterize the nutrition-associated problems affecting top level 3-day event horses during 2008. Methods: Contact information for riders competing in the 2 highest levels of 3-day eventing in 2008 was obtained from the United States Eventing Association. A survey containing 10 questions pertaining to participant demographics and nutrition-associated problems experienced by their horses was mailed and e-mailed to the 81 individuals fitting our criteria of living in USA and Canada. Data was collected in April and May 2009. Results: Twenty-nine of 81 riders completed the survey (35.8%). Respondents rode a total of 45 horses in top level 3-day events in 2008. The top 5 nutrition-associated problems that horses faced at a significantly higher level than the other problems (P < 0.0001) were gastric ulcers (42.2%), joint problems (37.7%), decreased appetite (31.1%), weight loss (31.1%) and hyperexcitability (22.2%). There was no significant difference in frequency of problems between home and competition (P = 0.22). Conclusions: Horses competing at a high level of 3-day eventing in 2008 were at risk of reduced performance given the significant rate of gastric ulcers, decreased appetite and weight loss. Research addressing specific causes of and/or feeding management changes that would reduce the incidence of these problems in these horses is needed to ensure optimal health and performance.
© 2010 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2011-05-27 PubMed ID: 21059032DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00233.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research article looks into the nutritional issues faced by top-level three-day event horses, with the primary problems being gastric ulcers, joint problems, decreased appetite, weight loss, and hyperexcitability. The study suggests the need for further research to identify pertinent causes, and to propose feeding management adjustments that can minimize these problems while ensuring the horses’ optimal health and performance.
Research Objective
- The research aimed to identify and characterize the common nutrition-related problems affecting top-level three-day event horses in 2008.
Methodology
- Contact details of riders who participated in the top two levels of three-day eventing competition in 2008 were obtained from the United States Eventing Association.
- A survey containing 10 questions about the participants’ demographics and the nutrition-related problems faced by their horses was prepared.
- The survey was mailed and emailed to 81 individuals who resided in the USA and Canada and met the survey criteria.
- Data collection occurred in April and May 2009.
Results
- Out of 81 riders, 29 responded to the survey, which was a response rate of 35.8%.
- The respondents had collectively rode 45 horses in top-level three-day events in 2008.
- The top five nutrition-associated problems identified in the survey were gastric ulcers (42.2%), joint problems (37.7%), decreased appetite (31.1%), weight loss (31.1%), and hyperexcitability (22.2%).
- These problems occurred significantly more frequently than other identified problems (P < 0.0001), and their incidence rate did not significantly vary between home and competition scenarios (P = 0.22).
Conclusions
- The 2008 high-level three-day event horses faced a risk of decreased performance due to notable instances of gastric ulcers, loss of appetite, and weight loss.
- The high frequency of these problems signals the necessity for comprehensive research that can identify their specific causes.
- The study also emphasized the need for research to suggest feeding management modifications that could reduce the incidence of these problems, ensuring optimal health and performance of the horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Leahy ER, Burk AO, Greene EA, Williams CA.
(2011).
Nutrition-associated problems facing elite level three-day eventing horses.
Equine Vet J Suppl(38), 370-374.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2010.00233.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Science, Rutgers, the State University, New Jersey, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology
- Animals
- Data Collection
- Diet / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Physical Conditioning, Animal / physiology
- Sports
- Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Tranquille CA, Chojnacka K, Murray RC. Musculoskeletal Injury and Illness Patterns in British Eventing Horses: A Descriptive Study. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 13;14(18).
- Gandarillas M, Keim JP, Gapp EM. Associative Effects between Forages and Concentrates on In Vitro Fermentation of Working Equine Diets. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jul 26;11(8).
- Bull J, Bas F, Silva-Guzmán M, Wentzel HH, Keim JP, Gandarillas M. Characterization of Feeding, Sport Management, and Routine Care of the Chilean Corralero Horse during Rodeo Season. Animals (Basel) 2019 Sep 17;9(9).
- Agar C, Gemmill R, Hollands T, Freeman SL. The use of nutritional supplements in dressage and eventing horses. Vet Rec Open 2016;3(1):e000154.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
