Since the horse was first domesticated around 5000BC its role in society has varied according to man's requirements but has been based on its ability to run and jump, pull and carry. This century has seen the horse change from having important roles in the military, agriculture and transportation to becoming part of the expanding leisure industry. A large variety of competitions (show-jumping, gymkana, vaulting, racing, eventing, polo, showing, dressage etc.) have developed to provide a competitive angle. These sporting activities vary, not only in the intensity and duration of the exercise undertaken, but also in the degree of skill and aptitude needed by horse and rider.
At first glance these different competitions have very different demands . Flat racing could be considered to be at one end of the duration/intensity spectrum, with American Quarter horses racing at speeds up to 20 m/s over 400m. In contrast an endurance ride may take place over several days at speeds around 5-6 m/s (on average). The showjumper may only have 3 minute competition bouts, but this may include a number of fences, each of which could be 5ft or more in height and spread. Many believe the 3-day-event competition to be one of the most demanding equestrian activities as it involves a number of phases including dressage, steeplechasing, 'endurance', showjumping and cross-country jumping within a relatively short time period.
For the show jumper ideally the horse has to have the strength, agility and ability to produce a clear show jumping round and then the controllable speed as well as suppleness, agility and ability to compete against the clock. For the 3 day eventer, at the event it means that 'ideally' or ' hopefully' one has a horse with sufficient sparkle, presence and yet controllable power to undertake and succeed in the dressage phase; with the speed, endurance , jumping stamina and skill to complete the 'X-country' phase with no jumping or time faults and still have on the '3rd' day the stamina, agility and ability to finish up with a clear show jumping round.
But for all types of competition the horse also has to have sufficient reserves to go on to compete successfully on other occasions. For the show jumper this may mean later that day or the next and the next. In addition, a horse cannot make it to the 3DE or Show jumping competition without having been healthy and active during its training. This is true for all performance horses regardless of their use and so really we should be feeding the performance horse for health and activity' be it a show jumper or a 3DE or whatever. This applies equally well to our leisure horses as well as pregnant , lactating mares and growing animals.
Unless otherwise stated guidance is provided for a 'typical' 500kg, adult horse.