FEED ADVICE – DISCIPLINES
Feeding Dressage Horses: The Ultimate Guide
Feeding dressage horses requires a specialised approach that focuses on building strength, flexibility, and stamina. Dressage demands precision, controlled energy, and excellent muscle development to perform the intricate movements required in the arena. In this guide, we will explore the best feeding practices to support your dressage horse’s physical and mental wellbeing, helping them achieve balance, power, and grace in their work.
What is Dressage?
Dressage is a discipline in which horse and rider perform a series of predetermined movements with precision and elegance.
These movements range from basic walk, trot, and canter to more advanced movements like piaffe, passage, and pirouette.
These movements range from basic walk, trot, and canter to more advanced movements like piaffe, passage, and pirouette.
A balanced and nutritious diet is essential to fuel their performance and help them maintain the topline and condition.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Dressage Horses
Dressage horses have unique nutritional requirements driven by the sustained and controlled nature of the sport. Their diet must provide:
Slow-Release Energy:
Dressage requires controlled power and endurance, best supported by a diet rich in slow-release energy sources such as fibre and fats.
Muscle Development and Recovery:
High-quality protein is essential for muscle tone and repair, as dressage horses rely heavily on strength and flexibility.
Joint and Bone Health:
Supporting long-term joint and hoof health is crucial, especially for advanced dressage movements that put additional strain on these areas.
Mental Focus and Calmness:
Dressage demands focus and calmness, so the diet should avoid feeds that create spikes in energy or excitability.
Metabolic Requirements of Dressage Horses
Dressage horses have increased metabolic needs due to the strength and control required in the sport. Their diet should focus on:
Fibre: A high-fibre diet supports slow-release energy, allowing horses to maintain the stamina required for long schooling sessions and competitions.
Fats: Offer a concentrated source of slow-release energy that supports endurance and helps maintain a calm temperament.
Protein: High-quality protein is essential for building and maintaining the muscle mass needed for strength and flexibility in dressage movements.
Key Components of a Dressage Horse’s Diet
Forage
High-Quality Hay: Forage should make up the majority of the dressage horse’s diet. Good-quality hay, such as timothy or meadow hay, provides fibre for slow-release energy and supports digestive health. Alfalfa can also be included for additional protein.
Grass: Access to good-quality grass provides natural fibre and can be a valuable source of nutrients, but the intake must be monitored to avoid weight gain or fluctuations in energy levels.
Hard Feed
Low-Starch, High-Fibre Feeds: Dressage horses perform best on feeds that provide slow-release energy without causing spikes in energy. Choose feeds high in fibre and low in cereals to support steady energy levels and calmness during training and competition. All of our feeds use superfibres to provide your horse slow release energy without fizz!
Balancers: A balancer can help ensure your horse gets the necessary vitamins, minerals, and amino acids without excessive calories. This is especially important for maintaining muscle health, coat condition, and hoof strength.
Key Components of a Dressage Horse’s Diet
Energy Sources
Fats: Vegetable oils such as linseed or soya oil are ideal for providing slow-release energy that supports endurance without making the horse excitable. Fats are also helpful for maintaining a healthy coat and promoting calmness.
Fibre: High-fibre sources such as beet pulp, chaff, and soaked hay are excellent for slow-release energy and maintaining digestive health.
Cereals: While cereals like oats and barley provide quick-release energy, they should be limited in a dressage horse’s diet to prevent excessive energy spikes or excitability.
Protein Sources
Alfalfa: Alfalfa is an excellent source of both protein and fibre, supporting muscle tone, strength, and digestive health.
Soybean Meal: Rich in essential amino acids, soybean meal supports muscle development and recovery, crucial for the physically demanding movements required in dressage.
Linseed: In addition to being a source of healthy fats, linseed provides high-quality protein to support muscle repair and overall conditioning.
Key Components of a Dressage Horse’s Diet
Supplements:
Joint Support: Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are essential for supporting joint health, particularly as dressage places strain on the joints due to movements like piaffe, passage, and pirouette.
Hoof Supplements: Biotin, zinc, and methionine can help support strong, healthy hooves, which are crucial for maintaining balance and control in dressage movements. Did you know all our complete feeds already contain biotin?
Electrolytes: While dressage horses may not sweat as heavily as those in more intense disciplines, electrolytes can still be useful after long training sessions or competitions, particularly in hot weather.
Digestive Supplements: Probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain gut health, especially
.
Hydration:
Fresh Water: Constant access to fresh, clean water is essential to keep your dressage horse hydrated, especially during long training sessions and warm weather. Soaked feeds or hay can also help promote hydration.
Feeding Tips for Dressage Horses
Energy for Control and Precision: Focus on providing slow-release energy from fibre and fats to fuel your horse’s work without creating excess energy or excitability.
Monitor Body Condition: Regularly assess your horse’s body condition score (BCS) and adjust their diet accordingly. Dressage horses should maintain a healthy weight to optimise their movement without becoming overweight or undernourished.
Post-Exercise Nutrition: After intense training sessions, provide high-quality protein to support muscle recovery and maintain your horse’s condition.
Consistency in Feeding: Feed your horse at the same times each day to maintain digestive health and ensure steady energy levels. Avoid large meals just before or after exercise.
Tailoring the Diet to Different Stages of Dressage
The dietary needs of a dressage horse will change between training, competition days, and rest periods. Adjusting the diet to these different stages will help ensure optimal performance and recovery:
Training Periods: During intense training phases, provide slow-release energy from fibre and fats, along with high-quality protein to support muscle development. Avoid quick-release energy sources that could make the horse excitable during precision work.
Competition Days: Ensure your horse has access to light, high-fibre feeds before and after the competition to maintain energy levels and promote digestion without causing excitability. Hydration is crucial, so make sure your horse has plenty of fresh water and consider using electrolytes during warm weather.
Rest Days: On rest days, adjust the amount of hard feed to reflect the reduced energy requirements, focusing on high-quality forage to maintain digestive health and prevent weight gain.
Conclusion
Feeding a dressage horse requires a careful balance of energy, muscle support, and recovery. A diet rich in high-quality forage, balanced hard feed, and targeted supplements will help ensure your horse performs at their best, maintaining the strength, flexibility, and focus needed for the intricate movements of dressage. By tailoring the diet to the specific demands of the discipline and the individual needs of your horse, you can help them reach their full potential.
Hear from the Brand Ambassador– Sarah Stewart
Sarah Stewart’s early career saw her working with top event riders and managing prestigious equestrian centres, including Gleneagles Equestrian Centre and Hartpury College. After transitioning from eventing and show jumping to dressage, Sarah achieved her dream of competing at Grand Prix level with her horse Polly, overcoming significant challenges along the way. In her approach to dressage, Sarah understands that the right nutrition is crucial for maintaining her horses’ performance and well-being. Her focus is on providing a balanced diet that supports the specific needs of dressage horses, who require both energy and endurance without excess excitability.
What we Recommend for Dressage Horses
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Ready for better results? Start with the right diet.
Get a free, personalised Pure Feed diet plan; fast, expert and tailored to your horse’s goals. Better condition, better performance, better clarity.
Start your plan now via the link in our bio 🩵
Ready for better results? Start with the right diet.
Get a free, personalised Pure Feed diet plan; fast, expert and tailored to your horse’s goals. Better condition, better performance, better clarity.
Start your plan now via the link in our bio 🩵
Even in winter, horses lose essential electrolytes and nutrients through sweat and that can impact hydration, muscle function, and post-exercise recovery.
Pure Refuel is designed to make recovery simple. It provides a balanced combination of electrolytes, amino acids, antioxidants, and pre- and probiotics to support hardworking muscles, hydration, and overall wellbeing after work.
Whether your horse is training, competing, hunting, or hacking, Refuel helps them bounce back effectively.
Recovery made simple 🍒
Even in winter, horses lose essential electrolytes and nutrients through sweat and that can impact hydration, muscle function, and post-exercise recovery.
Pure Refuel is designed to make recovery simple. It provides a balanced combination of electrolytes, amino acids, antioxidants, and pre- and probiotics to support hardworking muscles, hydration, and overall wellbeing after work.
Whether your horse is training, competing, hunting, or hacking, Refuel helps them bounce back effectively.
Recovery made simple 🍒
Wishing all our wonderful customers, horses and supporters a very Happy Christmas! 🎁✨
Thank you for being part of the Pure Feed family this year 🩵
Wishing all our wonderful customers, horses and supporters a very Happy Christmas! 🎁✨
Thank you for being part of the Pure Feed family this year 🩵
We love hearing how Pure Feed is making a difference! Here’s Jemma’s experience with Yogi:
"Honestly, my horses were on another feed for nearly 10 years before I switched them to Pure about a year ago and the difference has been huge. They absolutely love the feed, their coats and condition look incredible, and they just seem so much happier.
Yogi can be really sharp in the winter, but since being on Pure, I haven’t needed to give him a calmer at all! I rave about you guys to anyone who’ll listen!"
- Jemma & Yogi 🩵
We love hearing how Pure Feed is making a difference! Here’s Jemma’s experience with Yogi:
"Honestly, my horses were on another feed for nearly 10 years before I switched them to Pure about a year ago and the difference has been huge. They absolutely love the feed, their coats and condition look incredible, and they just seem so much happier.
Yogi can be really sharp in the winter, but since being on Pure, I haven’t needed to give him a calmer at all! I rave about you guys to anyone who’ll listen!"
- Jemma & Yogi 🩵
Soft, minty and easy to chew, Meadow Mash is perfect for older horses, fussy eaters or those who struggle with long fibres.
The high water content helps keep your horse hydrated and their gut moving, especially when they’re stabled more during wet weather or on box rest.
Fibre and hydration go hand in hand for a normal digestive system, and Meadow Mash provides both in one tasty, easy-to-digest mash 💚
Soft, minty and easy to chew, Meadow Mash is perfect for older horses, fussy eaters or those who struggle with long fibres.
The high water content helps keep your horse hydrated and their gut moving, especially when they’re stabled more during wet weather or on box rest.
Fibre and hydration go hand in hand for a normal digestive system, and Meadow Mash provides both in one tasty, easy-to-digest mash 💚
Did you know Pure Feed is a complete feed?
That means every scoop already includes:
✔️ A full balancer
✔️ Fibre
✔️ Slow-release energy
No need to buy separate balancers, oils, or extra supplements; it’s all already in there!
Simple for you, balanced for your horse, and often far more cost-effective than feeding multiple products. Fibre-first nutrition that saves you money 🩵
Did you know Pure Feed is a complete feed?
That means every scoop already includes:
✔️ A full balancer
✔️ Fibre
✔️ Slow-release energy
No need to buy separate balancers, oils, or extra supplements; it’s all already in there!
Simple for you, balanced for your horse, and often far more cost-effective than feeding multiple products. Fibre-first nutrition that saves you money 🩵
🎄 Office Holiday Hours 🎄
Just a reminder, our office will be closed for the festive period:
🎄 Closed: 20th December - 1st January
🎄 Reopens: 2nd January
If you need help over the holidays, our info@purefeed.com
email will be monitored, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Looking to top up your feed while we’re away?
Use our stockist map on the website to find your nearest Pure Feed supplier.
From all of us at Pure, wishing you and your horses a happy, safe festive season!
🎄 Office Holiday Hours 🎄
Just a reminder, our office will be closed for the festive period:
🎄 Closed: 20th December - 1st January
🎄 Reopens: 2nd January
If you need help over the holidays, our info@purefeed.com
email will be monitored, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Looking to top up your feed while we’re away?
Use our stockist map on the website to find your nearest Pure Feed supplier.
From all of us at Pure, wishing you and your horses a happy, safe festive season!
Condition Mix vs Condition Pellets – what’s the difference?
Condition Mix 🌿
Chaff-based complete feed packed with fibre, oils, and nutrients in a natural, forage-style texture. Supports chewing, saliva production, and steady hindgut fermentation — ideal for poor doers who enjoy a chaff-based feed.
Condition Pellets 🟤
All the benefits of the Mix, but in a compact, easy-to-feed pellet. Perfect for fussy eaters or horses that don’t like soaked feed. Fully balanced to support condition, energy, and digestive health — no soaking needed.
Not sure which is best for your horse? Get expert guidance with our free personalised diet plan 👉 link in bio
Condition Mix vs Condition Pellets – what’s the difference?
Condition Mix 🌿
Chaff-based complete feed packed with fibre, oils, and nutrients in a natural, forage-style texture. Supports chewing, saliva production, and steady hindgut fermentation — ideal for poor doers who enjoy a chaff-based feed.
Condition Pellets 🟤
All the benefits of the Mix, but in a compact, easy-to-feed pellet. Perfect for fussy eaters or horses that don’t like soaked feed. Fully balanced to support condition, energy, and digestive health — no soaking needed.
Not sure which is best for your horse? Get expert guidance with our free personalised diet plan 👉 link in bio
Stockley Trading have been trusted Pure Feed stockists for many years, with teams in Littlehampton and Midhurst who hold exceptional technical knowledge of our full range. Whether you need support with condition, energy levels, weight management or specific ingredients, they can guide you to the right feed with confidence!
And of course, while we were at the Littlehampton store, we couldn’t resist topping up on some Pure Treats and a bag of Pure Easy!
Stockley Trading have been trusted Pure Feed stockists for many years, with teams in Littlehampton and Midhurst who hold exceptional technical knowledge of our full range. Whether you need support with condition, energy levels, weight management or specific ingredients, they can guide you to the right feed with confidence!
And of course, while we were at the Littlehampton store, we couldn’t resist topping up on some Pure Treats and a bag of Pure Easy!
Pure Condition Pellets = condition without the fizz 💜
A low sugar, low starch, high fibre formula that builds topline and condition through fibre and oil, not fast-release starch. Ideal for horses that need extra condition but stay sensible.
And the best part? It’s a complete feed, meaning every scoop includes:
✔️ A full balancer
✔️ Fibre
✔️ Slow-release energy
Simple, balanced, and fizz-free.
Pure Condition Pellets = condition without the fizz 💜
A low sugar, low starch, high fibre formula that builds topline and condition through fibre and oil, not fast-release starch. Ideal for horses that need extra condition but stay sensible.
And the best part? It’s a complete feed, meaning every scoop includes:
✔️ A full balancer
✔️ Fibre
✔️ Slow-release energy
Simple, balanced, and fizz-free.
Most winter mornings bring frosty grass ❄️ Pretty, but frosted grass = higher sugar.
For horses prone to laminitis, metabolic issues, or digestive sensitivity, sudden sugary grass can cause gut upset and blood sugar spikes.
Our top tip: serve a bowl of Pure Meadow Mash before turnout!
As a high-fibre, low-sugar hay replacer, Meadow Mash gently fills the gut, helping to:
🌱 Reduce the appetite for frosted grass
🌱 Support stable hindgut fermentation
🌱 Maintain consistent blood glucose levels
🌱 Provide essential fibre without excess starch or sugar
A simple, science-backed way to protect digestion and keep winter feeding consistent.
Most winter mornings bring frosty grass ❄️ Pretty, but frosted grass = higher sugar.
For horses prone to laminitis, metabolic issues, or digestive sensitivity, sudden sugary grass can cause gut upset and blood sugar spikes.
Our top tip: serve a bowl of Pure Meadow Mash before turnout!
As a high-fibre, low-sugar hay replacer, Meadow Mash gently fills the gut, helping to:
🌱 Reduce the appetite for frosted grass
🌱 Support stable hindgut fermentation
🌱 Maintain consistent blood glucose levels
🌱 Provide essential fibre without excess starch or sugar
A simple, science-backed way to protect digestion and keep winter feeding consistent.
🎄 Holiday Hours Reminder! 🎄
Plan ahead for Christmas to make sure your horse doesn’t miss out:
❄️ Last dispatch for online orders: 17th December
❄️ Office open until: 19th December
❄️ Office closed: 20th December - 1st January
❄️ Office reopens: 2nd January
If your needing Pure Feed while we`re closed, remember to check out our stockist map to find the closed stockist to you!
🎄 Holiday Hours Reminder! 🎄
Plan ahead for Christmas to make sure your horse doesn’t miss out:
❄️ Last dispatch for online orders: 17th December
❄️ Office open until: 19th December
❄️ Office closed: 20th December - 1st January
❄️ Office reopens: 2nd January
If your needing Pure Feed while we`re closed, remember to check out our stockist map to find the closed stockist to you!
Did you know the entire Pure Feed range is completely molasses free?
We never rely on sweeteners to make our feeds tasty. Horses naturally prefer fibre-rich ingredients, and our formulations are designed to work with their digestive system, not against it with added sugar.
Many feeds use molasses as a shortcut: it’s cheap, it binds pellets easily, and it guarantees sweetness. But it also increases sugar levels and can make feeds unsuitable for horses with metabolic or digestive sensitivities.
At Pure Feed, we take a different approach.
Our pellets are bound using linseed and we use carefully balanced fibre and oil sources, not molasses. This means:
• Lower sugar and starch levels across the entire range
• Consistent, gut-friendly nutrition
• No artificial sweetness masking poor-quality ingredients
• Suitable for good doers, laminitics, and horses with EMS or digestive sensitivities
Delicious, nutritious, and naturally palatable - that’s the Pure Feed way 🩵
Did you know the entire Pure Feed range is completely molasses free?
We never rely on sweeteners to make our feeds tasty. Horses naturally prefer fibre-rich ingredients, and our formulations are designed to work with their digestive system, not against it with added sugar.
Many feeds use molasses as a shortcut: it’s cheap, it binds pellets easily, and it guarantees sweetness. But it also increases sugar levels and can make feeds unsuitable for horses with metabolic or digestive sensitivities.
At Pure Feed, we take a different approach.
Our pellets are bound using linseed and we use carefully balanced fibre and oil sources, not molasses. This means:
• Lower sugar and starch levels across the entire range
• Consistent, gut-friendly nutrition
• No artificial sweetness masking poor-quality ingredients
• Suitable for good doers, laminitics, and horses with EMS or digestive sensitivities
Delicious, nutritious, and naturally palatable - that’s the Pure Feed way 🩵
We`ve made feeding easy! Know the right amount to feed your horse by following our simple guide.
Pure Condition Pellets have a high oil content to promote weight gain and maintain condition💜
In their pelleted form, they are designed to help tempt fussy eaters and can be fed dry or mixed with water to form a mash. Pure Condition Pellets include our premium natural balancer with the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that horses require.
If you`re uncertain about their nutritional requirements, leave it to the pros—claim your free diet plan from our expert nutrition team. Got questions? We`re always here to help!
📞 01458 333 333
💻 www.purefeed.com
💬 Direct Message us
#thepurefeedcompany #purecompetitionpellets #feedingrates #allyoufeedislove #purefeed
We`ve made feeding easy! Know the right amount to feed your horse by following our simple guide.
Pure Condition Pellets have a high oil content to promote weight gain and maintain condition💜
In their pelleted form, they are designed to help tempt fussy eaters and can be fed dry or mixed with water to form a mash. Pure Condition Pellets include our premium natural balancer with the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals that horses require.
If you`re uncertain about their nutritional requirements, leave it to the pros—claim your free diet plan from our expert nutrition team. Got questions? We`re always here to help!
📞 01458 333 333
💻 www.purefeed.com
💬 Direct Message us
#thepurefeedcompany #purecompetitionpellets #feedingrates #allyoufeedislove #purefeed
Supporting your horse`s condition shouldn’t mean compromising on behaviour, digestive comfort, or metabolic support.
Pure Condition Mix, designed as a high-calorie, nutritionally complete feed, which provides slow-release calories from fibre and oil rather than cereals and molasses. That means:
✔ Condition without fizz
✔ Digestive comfort and steadier energy
✔ A genuinely balanced feed with every vitamin and mineral included
Because it’s cereal and molasses-free, and naturally low in sugar and starch, it’s also a smart choice for horses who are metabolically sensitive or who simply feel better on fibre-first nutrition.
Why owners love it:
• Helps build condition and topline with calm energy
• Supports weight and topline through winter
• Gentle on the gut and highly palatable
• No need for extra balancers or feeds
If you’re looking for a feed that delivers condition and keeps your horse level-headed, this is the feed for you!
Supporting your horse`s condition shouldn’t mean compromising on behaviour, digestive comfort, or metabolic support.
Pure Condition Mix, designed as a high-calorie, nutritionally complete feed, which provides slow-release calories from fibre and oil rather than cereals and molasses. That means:
✔ Condition without fizz
✔ Digestive comfort and steadier energy
✔ A genuinely balanced feed with every vitamin and mineral included
Because it’s cereal and molasses-free, and naturally low in sugar and starch, it’s also a smart choice for horses who are metabolically sensitive or who simply feel better on fibre-first nutrition.
Why owners love it:
• Helps build condition and topline with calm energy
• Supports weight and topline through winter
• Gentle on the gut and highly palatable
• No need for extra balancers or feeds
If you’re looking for a feed that delivers condition and keeps your horse level-headed, this is the feed for you!
Even in Winter, horses lose electrolytes through sweat - especially during schooling, jumping or fast work ❄️
Pure Refuel replaces what’s lost, fast, supporting hydration, muscle function and recovery when your horse needs it most!
@swintonequestrian shows us her routine: tack up, train, Refuel 🩵
Even in Winter, horses lose electrolytes through sweat - especially during schooling, jumping or fast work ❄️
Pure Refuel replaces what’s lost, fast, supporting hydration, muscle function and recovery when your horse needs it most!
@swintonequestrian shows us her routine: tack up, train, Refuel 🩵
Have you noticed your older horse struggle with chaff? Our Veteran Pellets deliver all the benefits of a chaff-based feed squished into a pellet! Even better they soak down into an easy to eat mash, perfect for horses who struggle with chewing!
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Have you noticed your older horse struggle with chaff? Our Veteran Pellets deliver all the benefits of a chaff-based feed squished into a pellet! Even better they soak down into an easy to eat mash, perfect for horses who struggle with chewing!
#purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
Ever wondered how we can save you money? It’s all down to Pure Feed being a complete feed. That means every bag contains everything your horse needs: fibre, energy, vitamins, minerals, and oil. No need to buy multiple feeds or top up with extra supplements to balance their diet! #purefeed #thepurefeedcompany #allyoufeedislove #equinenutrition
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