Nutritional Support for Injured Equine Athletes

Although injured horses need time off, they could need greater amounts of some nutrients than during training.
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Editor’s note: This article is part of TheHorse.com’s ongoing coverage of topics presented at the 2012 Alltech Symposium, held May 21-23 in Lexington, Ky.


When a performance horse is injured, his show schedule or exercise regimen shouldn’t be the only facets of his life that change. As one equine nutritionist explained at a recent symposium, an injured horse’s diet can either help or hinder the healing process, and might need to be adjusted from his performance diet.

During a presentation at the 2012 Alltech Symposium, Tania Cubitt, PhD, of Performance Horse Nutrition, explained that even though injured horses necessitate stall rest or minimal exercise, they could be in greater need of some dietary components than during training.

"The horses are used to a very structured routine," Cubitt relayed, referencing strict feeding schedules, regular exercise, and/or set turnout time. "(Upon injury) it’s totally different

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Erica Larson, former news editor for The Horse, holds a degree in journalism with an external specialty in equine science from Michigan State University in East Lansing. A Massachusetts native, she grew up in the saddle and has dabbled in a variety of disciplines including foxhunting, saddle seat, and mounted games. Currently, Erica competes in eventing with her OTTB, Dorado.

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