Horse owners know that what they feed has a direct effect on their horse’s health, but have you thought about how the timing of meals affects performance?
Although horses need constant access to forage around the clock for optimal digestive function, owners should take glycemic responses into account when deciding the best time to feed grain. Eating a grain meal causes physiological effects that change how horses respond to exercise.
Research shows that eating a grain meal has immediate effects on the body that can influence how your horse feels. Timing meals around exercise is especially important for supporting optimal energy levels.
If your horses seem low on energy or run out of gas quickly during training sessions, their most recent meal may be the cause.
Through the glycemic response, the digestion of feedstuffs leads to glucose (sugar) being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the horse’s blood. Higher blood sugar levels trigger the release of insulin, which pulls glucose out of the bloodstream so it can be stored in the tissues.
Studies show that insulin and blood glucose levels in horses peak two hours after a meal. So if your horses do not seem as energetic as you would expect after their morning feeding, blood sugar may be playing a key role. Large rises in glucose lead to the release of more insulin, which creates an energy slump once glucose levels suddenly start to drop. (Rodiek et al., 2007)
Horses that start exercising with high insulin levels use glucose to fuel muscle contractions while insulin is also removing glucose from circulation. This fast depletion of glucose by two processes at once can cause fatigue due to low blood glucose. (Jose-Cunilleras et al., 2002)
To support optimal energy levels, owners should feed grain meals that cause significant blood glucose peaks at least three to four hours before exercise. Feed management that helps moderate swings in blood glucose can also support steady energy levels.
Different feedstuffs can change the glycemic response. Energy that comes from forage through fiber fermentation in the hindgut does not significantly affect blood glucose. As a result, forage can safely be fed at any time of day. (Pagan & Harris, 1999)
Feeding forage right before a training session can also support digestive health by providing stomach fill that helps protect the lining from ulceration.
The amount of feed eaten can also affect the glycemic response. Larger grain meals cause bigger spikes in blood glucose that contribute to fatigue. If your horse eats grain, feeding smaller meals spread throughout the day can help moderate glucose levels and prevent these spikes. (Vervuert et al., 2008)
Feeds high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) are also linked to higher spikes in blood glucose. NSCs are digested in the small intestine, where glucose passes through the intestinal lining and into the bloodstream. (Dyer et al., 2002)
Low-starch, high-fiber forage offers horses a steadier source of energy. Gut microbiota break down fiber in the hindgut to produce short-chain fatty acids, which are the horse’s primary energy source. A healthy hindgut and balanced microbiome are therefore critical for healthy energy levels.
Strategic timing also matters for getting the most out of supplements like SUCCEED®.
SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program® is a daily nutritional supplement that helps keep the digestive tract in optimal condition. Using SUCCEED® is quick and easy, but following the feeding recommendations helps make sure horses get the full benefit.
Feed SUCCEED® twice a day for the first week to 10 days to condition the digestive system. After that initial period, feed SUCCEED® at the same feeding each day. The best timing depends on which form of SUCCEED® you use.
Many owners also find that giving an extra serving of SUCCEED® before hauling, while away from home, or before competing helps their horses cope better with these stressful situations.
If you prefer an oral paste, use the syringe to empty the paste directly into the horse’s mouth right before feeding. You can also top-dress feed with the paste, but to keep it as palatable as possible, do not leave it exposed to air for more than 30 minutes.
The time of day you give SUCCEED® does not matter. However, giving the paste right before the same meal every day will produce the best results. Many owners like to give the paste in the morning before the first meal of the day.
If you use granules, you will add one scoop of SUCCEED® directly to the top of your horse’s feed each day. As with the paste, the time of day does not matter. Still, aim to feed the granules at the same time every day and avoid long periods of air exposure.
The best meal for adding granules depends on your barn’s schedule. For example, some boarding barns prepare morning meals the evening before. In that case, adding SUCCEED® granules to afternoon meals will help limit air exposure.
Although the time of day does not matter for giving SUCCEED®, meal timing can have a significant effect on your horses’ health and performance. It is not only about what you feed, but also when you feed it.
SUCCEED® Digestive Conditioning Program® helps horses get the slow-burning energy they need for performance by supporting optimal digestion and a proper rate of feed passage. SUCCEED® also provides beta-glucan, which helps regulate the release of sugars from the digestive system and reduce glycemic peaks.
Supporting your horse’s digestion today helps support peak performance tomorrow.
