Feeding Your Horse Before a Ride
What you feed and when you feed matters just as much as how you ride. Pre ride nutrition influences energy, comfort, focus, and willingness. Done right, it supports performance. Done wrong, it can quietly work against you.
Horses are not built for large meals followed by hard work. Understanding how their digestive system functions helps you make better decisions before you tack up.
How the Horse Digestive System Works
Horses have relatively small stomachs designed for near constant forage intake. Most digestion happens later in the hindgut, not the stomach. Large or poorly timed meals before riding can increase discomfort and reduce performance.
The goal before a ride is to support steady energy without overloading the stomach.
Timing Matters More Than Quantity
As a general guideline, allow one to two hours between feeding and riding. This gives the stomach time to clear and reduces the chance of digestive upset during work.
Horses thrive on routine. Keeping feeding and riding schedules consistent helps maintain digestive balance and reduces stress.
Forage Comes First
Quality hay or pasture should always be the foundation of the diet. Forage supports gut health, keeps horses mentally settled, and provides slow steady energy.
Small amounts of forage before riding are generally well tolerated and can actually help buffer stomach acid.
Concentrates Require Thoughtful Use
Grain or concentrate feeds should be adjusted based on workload, age, and body condition. High energy feeds given too close to riding can create excess excitability or digestive discomfort.
When concentrates are needed, feed them well ahead of work and in amounts appropriate to the individual horse.
Special Diet Considerations
Horses with metabolic concerns, insulin resistance, or laminitis require especially careful feeding strategies. Low sugar forage and controlled intake are essential. Always work with your veterinarian or nutrition professional when managing these horses.
Hydration Is Non Negotiable
Water intake directly affects digestion and performance. Horses should have access to clean water before and after work. During heavy training or hot conditions, electrolyte support may be appropriate to replace losses.
Pre ride feeding is not about adding fuel at the last minute. It is about building consistency that supports comfort, energy, and focus over time.
Why ShowBarn Secret® Soothing Horse Shampoo
Good routines extend beyond feeding and riding. Grooming plays a role in relaxation and readiness before work.
Gentle Daily Cleansing
SLS free formula cleans without stripping natural oils, making it suitable for regular use.
Calm Before Work
Lavender supports a quieter grooming experience, helping horses settle before training or travel.
Supports Coat and Skin Balance
Removes dirt and residue while preserving coat softness and natural shine.
Hydration Without Build Up
Helps maintain skin moisture balance without leaving residue that attracts dust.
When feeding, grooming, and work routines are thoughtful and consistent, horses show up more comfortable and more willing. Performance starts long before you swing a leg over.
