Preparing for Shows – Best Equine Supplements 

On the day of an event for your Arabian Show horse, Showjumper or Racehorse, you hope the culmination of all your training and preparation manifest at the perfect moment. While the nutritional foundation has been laid, there are still opportunities to enhance performance with planned, short-term support from equine supplements.

Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s)

Proteins, including muscle protein, consist of amino acids. While the body can synthesize some amino acids, many are considered “essential amino acids” that must be obtained from the diet. Three of these essential amino acids fall into the category of “branched-chain amino acids” (BCAA’s), constituting up to 40% of muscle protein. This makes them crucial for building high-quality muscle and should be readily available in the diet of equine athletes, especially during training.

BCAA’s also play a vital role in meeting short-term performance demands, whether for speed or stamina which is especially useful for busy showjumping or Endurance racings in the Middle East. When muscles undergo intense or prolonged exertion, the body naturally turns to BCAA’s as an energy source, potentially breaking down muscle tissue and increasing the risk of soreness and extended post-exertion recovery. The earlier this breakdown occurs during exertion, the sooner it can impact performance. Supplementing with BCAA’s before anticipated effort can delay this process, supporting maximum effort and optimal recovery.

Pre-Fuel Gel is a rapid equine energy supplement in paste format containing essential BCAA’s to maximize athletic performance. It also includes vitamin E, B vitamins, and essential minerals for horses to support optimal muscle function. Ideal for situations requiring significant athletic effort in a single day – such as an endurance race or big competition such as Dubai Cup or other such events in the Middle East. For optimal recovery, combine with Refuel Gel (our premium equine electrolyte/energy supplement) for post-performance

Optimize Your Horse’s Performance + Recovery with Foran Equine’s Pre-Fuel + Refuel Gel

Antioxidants for Horses

All physiological processes generate free radicals, and the more strenuously we push the body, the greater the production of these free radicals. The body’s natural early recovery process includes clearing these free radicals, which is particularly crucial for stamina-based performance as it begins during the event itself. Antioxidants, including some vitamins like Vitamin E and Selenium for horses, play a role in eliminating these particles. Recently, supplementing with Muscle Max, our equine muscle builder supplement during training can help enhance plasma and muscle levels of antioxidants. Ensuring optimal antioxidant levels during training and prior to exertion will support the body’s natural free-radical clearing process, optimizing performance recovery and reduce muscle soreness.

Mental Preparedness

It’s natural for horses to respond to new environmental stimuli with heightened alertness. However, if a horse struggles to maintain focus when it’s time to perform, it can hinder them from showcasing their true abilities. Serotonin, an important neurotransmitter associated with calm focus and concentration, is generated in the body from an amino acid called L-Tryptophan. Ensuring an abundance of this compound prior to training sessions or during competition can help direct mental energy toward performance. Arabian breeds can be particularly excitable and can benefit from an equine calming supplement.

Nutri-Calm Gel – a concentrated and convenient horse calmer’s formulation contains L-Tryptophan and Serotonin, along with B-complex vitamins and magnesium for horses, to support the horse’s nervous system and facilitate focus and concentration when it’s needed most.

For further advice on targeted supplementation to align with your performance goals, contact Foran Equine to speak with one of our advisers.