The appearance of signs of fatigue is something that we want to avoid during physical activity or competition. Fatigue has a multidimensional nature, depending on the activity performed (intensity, duration and type of activity), the physical preparation of the horse, the physiological state of the horse and the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, altitude and pollution) to which it is subjected.
Fatigue is often associated with factors such as decreased muscle glycogen reserves, accumulation of metabolic by-products and muscle acidification, loss of electrolytes, hyperthermia, among others.
Nutrition plays an important role in exercise by providing the energy sources needed for energy production. In general, energy sources are fats and carbohydrates, used in the form of fatty acids and glucose.
Predominantly aerobic activities (long duration, low intensity) use energy mainly from fatty acids, while anaerobic activities (short duration, high intensity) use predominantly glucose. When performing their activities, horses use both forms of energy production, with one or the other predominating, depending on the type of effort to which they are subjected.
Care should be taken in food management to reduce fatigue in competition horses:
Ensure adequate hydration
We must ensure that the horse drinks water. Good hydration is essential for the body's homeostasis, as well as for adequate thermoregulation, which is essential in preventing fatigue.
Check that the water is not too cold in winter (be careful with automatic waterers, which may not be working properly) or too hot in summer. Provide a salt stone to encourage water intake and/or provide electrolytes.
REHIDRAMAX
We must know how to identify the signs that indicate a lack of hydration, for example by testing the fold of skin on the shoulder, assessing the moisture of the mucous membranes, checking for dry feces, among others.
Avoid large meals prior to exercise
Large meals (concentrated feed, hay or a combination of both) should be avoided in the 2 hours before intense physical activity, since a decrease in plasma volume occurs after food intake. This decrease in plasma volume is due to the mobilization of fluids to the gastrointestinal tract, which can compromise circulatory volume and thermoregulation during exercise, predisposing to fatigue.
It should be noted, however, that horses subjected to prolonged efforts, such as endurance, benefit from the prior intake of long fiber. These horses suffer high losses of water and electrolytes through sweating and the intestinal compartments act as reservoirs for replacing these.
HORSEBOOSTER
Prioritize fiber-rich diets
Diets rich in non-structural carbohydrates (starch and sugars), consumed up to 3 hours before exercise, promote rapid consumption of carbohydrates and reduce fat oxidation, which can result in premature fatigue in horses subjected to prolonged efforts (Endurance and Cross-country events in Eventing). Foods low in starch and sugars are therefore preferable.
GASTRO PRO
NATURE MASH
The intake of diets with a high fiber content appears to be beneficial, both in horses subjected to short and intense efforts, and in horses subjected to prolonged efforts, and is also associated with a greater intake of water and, therefore, better hydration.
FIBERS
Increase the incorporation of fat in the diet
Diets rich in fat allow a greater concentration of fatty acids in circulation, favoring this energy pathway. In this way, muscle glycogen reserves are favored, which appears to play a role in preventing fatigue.
It should be noted, however, that horses must be adapted to diets with a high fat content. Studies show that the minimum period for these adaptive changes to begin is 3 to 5 weeks (with 10 to 12 weeks being the period required for adaptation to be complete).
Ensure adequate electrolyte replacement
Horses subjected to competitive effort invariably suffer water and electrolyte losses through sweat. Electrolytes are essential for maintaining acid-base balance, osmoregulation, nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Significant electrolyte losses negatively affect the horse's performance, contributing to premature fatigue.
REHIDRAMAX