FEED ADVICE – DISCIPLINES
Feeding Show Jumping Horses: The Ultimate Guide
Feeding show jumping horses is a precise task that requires balancing energy, muscle support, and recovery. Show jumping is a highly demanding sport that requires bursts of power, speed, and agility. Horses must have the energy to clear high fences, the strength to push off from the ground, and the stamina to perform across multiple rounds in competitions. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for feeding show jumping horses, ensuring they have the fuel they need to excel in this physically demanding discipline.
What is Show Jumping?
Show jumping is an equestrian sport where horse and rider navigate a course of fences, aiming to complete the round with as few faults as possible.
The sport requires not only precision and agility but also significant strength and power.
Horses must be able to accelerate quickly, jump high, and maintain their focus over multiple rounds.
Nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting a horse’s ability to perform at this level, providing the necessary energy, muscle strength, and recovery support.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Show Jumping Horses
Show jumping horses have distinct nutritional requirements due to the physical demands of the sport. Their diet must provide:
Quick-Release Energy:
Show jumping horses need bursts of power for jumping, requiring quick-release energy sources that don’t lead to excess excitability.
Muscle Development and Recovery:
High-quality protein is essential for maintaining muscle tone, strength, and recovery after intense exercise.
Joint and Bone Health:
The physical impact of jumping places strain on a horse’s joints and bones, requiring nutrients that support long-term joint health and bone strength.
Hydration and Electrolyte Balance:
Proper hydration and replenishment of electrolytes are vital, especially during competition days when horses may sweat excessively.
Metabolic Requirements of Show Jumping Horses
Show jumping horses have elevated metabolic needs, particularly in terms of energy for short, intense bursts of exercise. Their diet should include:
Carbohydrates: Provide quick-release energy for fast acceleration and power. Careful management of carbohydrate intake is crucial to avoid over-excitement or metabolic disorders.
Fats: Offer slow-release energy, helping to maintain stamina and calmness over multiple rounds of jumping.
Proteins: Crucial for muscle development, recovery, and repair after strenuous jumping sessions.
Key Components of a Show Jumping Horse’s Diet
Forage:
High-Quality Hay: Forage should form the foundation of the diet, providing slow-release energy and supporting digestive health. Timothy and meadow hay are excellent choices for their balance of fibre and nutrients.
Grass: the foundation of a horse’s diet, providing essential fibre for digestive health. It supplies energy, protein, and key vitamins and minerals, supporting overall well-being. However, the quality and quantity of grass vary throughout the year, so balancing the diet with additional fibre and nutrients is often necessary.
Concentrates:
Performance Feeds: Specialised performance feeds for show jumpers are designed to provide a balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, supporting both energy and muscle needs.
Balancers: A balancer can help ensure that all essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are provided without adding unnecessary calories, particularly for horses prone to weight gain.
Key Components of a Show Jumping Horse’s Diet
Energy Sources
Carbohydrates: Grains such as oats or barley can provide the quick-release energy needed for power, but should be fed in controlled amounts to prevent over-excitability.
Fats: Linseed and rapeseed oil are excellent for providing slow-release energy, supporting stamina without causing spikes in energy levels.
Fibre: High-fibre feeds like unmolassed sugarbeet offer slow-release energy and are easy on the digestive system, helping to maintain even energy levels during competitions.
Protein Sources:
Grass Pellets & Grass Chaff – Provide highly digestible protein to support muscle maintenance and overall condition.
Unmolassed Sugar Beet – Primarily a fibre source but contains some protein to contribute to overall dietary intake.
Rapeseed Oil – A valuable plant-based protein source that supports muscle tone and strength.
Linseed: Offers a balance of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, supporting muscle health and promoting a healthy coat.
Key Components of a Show Jumping Horse’s Diet
Supplements:
Joint Support: Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are key supplements for supporting joint health, helping to protect against the wear and tear that comes from repeated jumping.
Electrolytes: Especially important during competition season, electrolytes help replenish salts lost through sweat, maintaining hydration and preventing muscle cramps. If you’re looking at improving your horse’s recovery even faster, check out Pure Refuel – aiding electrolyte, muscle and hydration recovery.
Digestive Aids: Probiotics and prebiotics can help maintain gut health, which is particularly important when travelling to shows and during periods of stress.
Hydration:
Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Hydration is especially important before and after jumping rounds, particularly during warm weather or intense competition days.
Feeding Tips for Show Jumping Horses
Energy Management: Provide a balance of quick-release carbohydrates for power and slow-release energy from fats and fibre to maintain stamina without causing excess excitability.
Consistency is Key: Feed your horse at the same times each day to maintain a consistent digestive routine, helping to reduce stress and maintain overall health.
Monitor Body Condition: Regularly assess your horse’s body condition score (BCS) and adjust their diet accordingly to ensure they remain in optimal shape for competition.
Recovery Nutrition: After intense jumping sessions, ensure your horse receives adequate protein and carbohydrates to aid in muscle recovery and replenish energy stores.
Tailoring the Diet to Different Stages of Show Jumping
The demands of show jumping can vary between training and competition days, and the diet should be tailored to reflect these changes:
Before Competitions: Focus on providing a diet rich in quick-release energy to support the bursts of power needed for jumping. Ensure hydration levels are maintained, and offer light meals before competitions to avoid digestive upsets.
During Competitions: Offer small amounts of easily digestible feeds, such as soaked hay or high-fibre feeds, between rounds to maintain energy levels and encourage hydration. Electrolyte supplementation is important to prevent imbalances.
After Competitions: Prioritise recovery by offering feeds that are rich in protein and moderate in carbohydrates to aid muscle repair and restore energy reserves. Continue to provide fresh water and electrolytes to support rehydration.
Conclusion
Feeding a show jumping horse requires a careful balance of energy, muscle support, and recovery. A diet that includes high-quality forage, balanced concentrates, and targeted supplements will help ensure your horse performs at their best, both in training and competition. Tailoring the diet to the specific needs of each horse, as well as the demands of the sport, will provide the energy and support necessary for success.
Hear from Brand Ambassador– Amy Inglis’s Approach to Showjumping Nutrition
Amy Inglis is an international showjumper, competing at the highest level up to 5* with her team of horses, which includes both her own and those of her owners. Amy’s dedication to excellence in the ring is fueled by the Pure Feed range!
At Amy’s yard, the horses are fed a tailored diet based on their energy needs and stage of development. For her seasoned competitors, Amy uses Pure Working to provide the balanced nutrition and energy required for high-performance demands. Her younger horses and those needing extra condition are fed Pure Condition Mix, ensuring they maintain muscle and strength as they grow and develop. For the yard’s youngstock and broodmares, Pure Stud is the feed of choice, supplying the essential nutrients for healthy growth and development. ome of Amy’s horses are naturally fiery, requiring a feed that delivers energy without causing them to become overly excitable. This is where Pure Feed’s low-sugar, low-starch approach is perfect, offering controlled energy to enhance performance without making the horses too fizzy.
Amy’s thoughtful approach to feeding, using a combination of Pure Feed products, helps her horses thrive, whether they are competing internationally or developing at home. It’s this balance that supports their success in the demanding world of showjumping.
What we recommend for Show Jumping 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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