As one of the older horse breeds, Thoroughbreds have captured the eye of many. Known for their athletic ability and versatility, they can be seen participating in racing, polo, eventing, dressage, and many more events.
Most Thoroughbreds are bred with the intention to race, which influences the predominate characteristics of the breed.
Characteristics of Thoroughbreds
Fundamentally, Thoroughbreds have the same digestive physiology as any other horse and, therefore, the same basic nutrient requirements. Due to selective breeding for racing, their distinct physical characteristics do impact their daily feeding program. This is particularly true when they are first transitioning off the track. Other major impacts include their exercise routines and performance demands. All of these can combine to increase the nutritional demands of Thoroughbreds. Some common characteristics of Thoroughbreds include:
- High Energy Demands. Thoroughbreds are known for their exceptional speed and stamina. This, in turn, means they often have higher energy requirements as compared to other horse breeds. This is especially true in high intensity completive sports, like racing, eventing or show jumping.
- Lean Body Composition. Thoroughbreds typically have a leaner body composition as compared to other breeds. This means they often require a diet higher in good quality protein with the right combination of amino acids to support muscle development.
- Thoroughbreds, as “hot-blooded” horses, can be more high-strung when compared to other horse breeds, although there is a wide range of temperaments in and between different horse breeds.
- Intense Exercise. Thoroughbreds have been bred for speed and agility. Many undergo rigorous training and exercise routines. This means their joints, tendons, and muscles are under greater stress. Thus, it would be wise to ensure their diets support not only joint health, but also muscle recovery.
- Body Condition and Weight Management. Due to their high energy expenditure, Thoroughbreds tend to lose weight quickly. Many are also thought to be hard keepers. In order to maintain their body condition, diets may need to be adjusted often to prevent weight loss.
- Digestive Sensitivity. The intensity of racing and race training increases the risk of gastric ulcers. Once Thoroughbreds have been let down and transitioned off the track, their risk of ulcers and other digestive disorders is no different than other horses. To minimize these risks, their diets need to include high quality forage, fed often, with high quality horse feed appropriate to their stage of life and work level.
- Like every horse, Thoroughbreds need access to clean, fresh water at all times to maintain hydration levels.
It is important to remember that every horse is unique, and these are general breed guidelines. You will know your horse best and how that can impact their nutritional needs.
What Specific Nutrients Should Be a Focus for Thoroughbreds?
Meeting the nutrient requirements of Thoroughbreds is crucial to their health and performance. Here is a list of specific nutrient requirements for equine athletes:
Energy
Many Thoroughbreds in training require a significant amount of energy to sustain their intense exercise routines. The primary sources of energy in horse diets are fiber, carbohydrates and fats. How much energy a Thoroughbred will require will depend on their workload and individual metabolism. Dietary energy considerations include:
- Forage. High-quality forage is the foundation of any horse’s diet. The fiber content provides a steady source of energy via conversion into volatile fatty acids in the hindgut.
- Horse Feed. For high-performance athletes, additional energy is required and is often provided in the form of carbohydrates. The amount or percentage needed will depend on the workload of the horse.
- Fat. The incorporation of high-quality fats in the diet, or the feeding of a high fat horse feed, can help increase the energy density of a horse’s ration.
The energy requirements of a recently retired Thoroughbred will generally be higher than a non-OTTB (off track Thoroughbred) of similar age and workload. This is because the high degree of fitness in the recently retired OTTB lends itself to a higher base metabolism. Also, recently retired OTTBs are often young and still growing.
As the Thoroughbred grows into their mature frame and becomes accustomed to their new career, they should be viewed as individuals and fed accordingly. Not all Thoroughbreds remain hard keepers for life, but care should be taken to avoid the post-track “crash” by supplying plenty of good quality forage and a low NSC, high-energy horse feed, like Senior Sport®, during the initial transition off the track.
Protein
Thoroughbreds, like all horses, need protein for muscle development, tissue repair, and overall health. For performing Thoroughbreds, protein is essential to support growth and exercise-related muscle maintenance. Protein considerations include:
- Forage. High-quality forages generally contain sufficient protein, but are lacking in essential amino acids.
- Horse Feed. Limiting essential amino acids can be supplied by well-fortified horse feeds.
- Amino Acids. Additional amino acids may be warranted in the diet, particularly during the initial transition to a sport horse career, to aid in the development of topline muscles. Adding a ration balancer, like Essential K®, on top of a horse feed helps support the change in musculature that occurs during the transition to a new career.
Vitamins and Minerals
Thoroughbreds, like all horses, require a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals for various metabolic functions, including bone health, immunity, and energy production. Vitamin and mineral considerations include:
Fiber
Fiber is a critical nutrient for not only maintaining gut health, but also as a source of energy. Fiber is fermented in the hindgut and considerations should include:
- Forage. High-quality forage is the foundation of any horse’s diet. This is especially true of Thoroughbreds who need high quality forage to maintain digestive health and body condition.
- Slow or frequent feeding. The use of hay nets, feeding forage often, or free choice hay, is a good way to have a constant trickle of forage (fiber) going in to the horse’s digestive tract.
Fat
Dietary fat is an excellent source of energy for any horse. It can also help improve stamina and performance, depending on the activity taken. Fat considerations include:
- Horse Feed. Quality horse feeds today have higher amounts of fat than the past. Be sure to check the feed tag for the percent fat being fed.
- Oils. The addition of quality oils, like Wholesome Blends® Omega Plus, contain higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Fats higher in omega 3’s help with reducing inflammation and help with exercise recovery.
Take Home Message
Thoroughbreds have distinct nutritional requirements driven by their high energy demands, lean body composition and intense exercise regimes. You need to ensure you are properly meeting their nutrient requirements to support their health, performance, and long-term health. It is highly advisable for any owner of a Thoroughbred to speak with an equine nutritionist or specialist to create an individual feeding plan to meet their unique needs. Please reach out to our team of equine nutrition specialists for a free consultation anytime!
