Performance Supplements for Horses

What supplements can I use to support muscle development in my horse?

Even with regular training, some horses may build little to no muscle. This could be due to an insufficient supply of the nutrients needed for muscle development. The main component of muscles is protein, which must be supplied to the horse in the form of essential and easy-to-absorb amino acids. In addition to hay, oats are an ideal source of protein; although they contain only 9 to 11% protein, which is relatively low, they do contain high-quality amino acids. Supplements containing valuable amino acids are recommended for muscle development.
If important nutrients are missing during training, excessive amounts of lactate can build up within the muscles without being properly eliminated. This ultimately leads to muscle tension and hyperacidity, which can cause the horse to develop a stiff gait, among other things. The acid-base balance in the muscles is disrupted, resulting in tension, sore muscles or a lack of progress in training. Therefore, a supplement for building muscle that supports the formation of antioxidants and protects the body from harmful substances is beneficial. Vitamins B2, C and E, and the minerals selenium and zinc are responsible for this. In our shop, you'll find a wide selection of supplements to help build muscle, such as oils, liquids, powders and pellets, which contain exactly these nutrients to support muscle health and muscle growth.
You can find more feeding tips for muscle growth and maintenance in our guide "Supporting muscle growth in horses - feeding tips".

Which supplement can help my horse with muscle tension?

There are several reasons why a horse's muscles may not be supple and performing well. Muscle tension can limit the horse's well-being, reduce performance and prevent the horse from building muscle. Tense muscles are also noticeable through changes in the horse's behaviour: they may be unwilling and sensitive during riding, when being groomed and touched, or they may poo too little or too much.
It's not just an ill-fitting saddle or an unbalanced rider that can lead to muscle tension. Toxins accumulated in the muscles, hyperacidity and mental stress can also cause tension in horses.
In such cases, it's important to provide all muscle-related nutrients, especially vitamin E, magnesium, selenium and manganese. While protein (in its individual building blocks, amino acids) is important for building muscle volume, vitamins and trace elements play an essential role in keeping the muscles supple. They support muscle metabolism and thus prevent tension.
In our range of supplements for performance and muscles, you can purchase vitamin and mineral supplements, supplements and liquid supplements for horses that are rich in vitamin E (antioxidant), magnesium, manganese, selenium and zinc in their organic forms. You can also purchase herbal blends that support healthy muscle metabolism in horses.
If your horse is prone to tense muscles, try reducing the amount of grain in their feed, as too much unused starch in the muscles can lead to hyperacidity. The same goes for silage, which horses should avoid altogether.
If the liver isn't detoxifying effectively, toxins (fungal spores, preservatives, flavourings, medications) build up in the body, which can also cause muscle tension. Avoid feed with flavourings and preservatives, and support the detoxification function of the liver and kidneys by giving your horse milk thistle or nettle, for example. You can find more liver-supporting supplements in our "Digestion & Metabolism" range.

Which supplements can help horses recover after training?

Did you know that muscle growth really only starts after training? It's only after active training that muscle stores are replenished and muscle is actually built up. The recovery phase is therefore crucial for muscle growth and muscle health in horses. To ensure your horse's muscles have all the important building blocks they need, you should pay special attention to their diet after training. All muscle-relevant nutrients and vitamins should be included in their feed:

• Protein: As the main component of muscle tissue, proteins/amino acids such as lysine and methionine are essential for a horse's regeneration.
• Vitamin E/antioxidants: Vitamin E plays a key role in muscle metabolism and protects cells from damage such as muscle stiffness.
• Electrolytes: When horses sweat during training, they lose minerals, salts and vitamins. Electrolytes in pellet or liquid form replenish your horse's reserves and prevent muscle hyperacidity.
• Mash: For readily available energy, feeding mash after training can also be beneficial from time to time. A portion of warm mash is a welcome treat, especially for horses that have exerted themselves or older horses.