Feeding the OTTB

With the exciting conclusion of the Kentucky Derby last weekend (Yay Justify!), I thought it was worth mentioning that the requirements for race horses and those coming off the track into a more sedate lifestyle can differ quite dramatically. If you're thinking about an off the track Thoroughbred (OTTB), you've probably considering the training your horse will need to go through to be let down, the adjustments you may have to make, and the excitement of the next step for a "retired" horse. It's equally as important to consider the feed and nutrition of that animal.

When racing, the ideal body score for the horse is 4-5 out of 9. This is slightly lower than our pleasure or performance horses. The exercise levels of these animals is intense and as such, energy is the most important nutrient in the racehorse's diet. Minerals, especially sodium, chloride and potassium, are supplemented much like we drink Gatorade when you know you're going to be sweating a lot. Vitamins and water are also very important in the diet of these sport stars. Grain is often more than 50% of the diet, high in sugar and starches, and about 8% fat. Gastric ulcers and upset are common when feeding racehorses because of the high amounts of carbohydrates and sugar/starch in the diet.

Once your horse comes home as an OTTB, there are some dietary changes that need to be made. The horse is no longer performing at such intense levels, at least not right away, so you have to take that into consideration when feeding. Often the body score of the animal needs to be increased and their topline refined. Additional protein and fat will help with muscle development and body condition. Forage should make up the majority of your OTTB's diet, instead of grain. This will help keep the hindgut healthy and working properly. You have to give your horse time to adjust to this new diet. A gradual decrease in calories is important so that your horse doesn't lose weight. Grain can be used but should be fed in smaller amounts per meal to prevent too much digestive upset.

If you have further questions, contact an equine nutritionist or veterinarian to help design an appropriate diet for your specific horse.
This link has some extra information as well: http://kppusa.com/2016/06/29/energy-requirements-off-the-track-thoroughbred/

The information for this article was adapted from https://thehorse.com/117459/the-ins-and-outs-of-feeding-the-ottb/