Feed a little forage before exercise to buffer stomach acid, avoid a large hard feed just before work, allow time to digest, and rehydrate and refuel afterwards. Never work a horse hard on a completely empty stomach.
Forage before work
An empty stomach lets acid splash the sensitive upper lining during exercise, a major cause of ulcers. Feeding a little forage before you ride, so there is a fibre mat in the stomach, buffers the acid and protects the gut. A slow feeder keeps forage trickling before work.
Time hard feeds sensibly
Avoid a large hard feed right before hard work, as a full, heavy stomach is uncomfortable and blood is diverted to digestion. Leave a sensible gap after a big feed before strenuous exercise, and keep pre-work feeds light and fibre-based.
Fuel for the work
Match the diet to the workload, favouring fibre and controlled energy for most horses, with more calories for genuinely hard work. Steady, fibre-based energy avoids the peaks and crashes of high-cereal feeding and suits the gut better.
Rehydrate and refuel after
After work, offer water once the horse has stopped blowing, provide forage, and for hard or hot sessions use electrolytes to replace lost salts. Letting the horse eat forage after work also helps settle the stomach.
Protect the gut
Consistent forage, small frequent feeds, and never working hard on a truly empty stomach all protect against ulcers, which are very common in horses in work. Good feeding around exercise supports both performance and long-term gut health.
