FEED ADVICE – DISCIPLINES
Feeding Polo Horses: The Ultimate Guide
Feeding polo horses requires a precise balance of energy, stamina, and recovery support. Polo is an intense and fast-paced equestrian sport, where horses need to perform repeated sprints, sharp turns, and sudden stops over several chukkas (periods), often in hot weather. Their performance depends heavily on proper nutrition, which fuels explosive speed, sustained energy, and rapid recovery between chukkas. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for feeding polo horses to help them stay at the top of their game.
What is Polo?
Polo is a fast-paced team sport on horseback that demands speed, agility, and quick recovery across multiple short, high-intensity chukkas.
Horses need a balance of quick-release and slow-release energy to perform at their best throughout the game.
Electrolytes and quality protein help replace losses from sweating and aid muscle repair between chukkas.
A complete, fibre-based diet with added vitamins and minerals supports condition, performance, and overall wellbeing.
Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Polo Horses
Polo horses have unique nutritional requirements driven by the high-intensity nature of the sport. Their diet must provide:
Quick-Release Energy
Polo horses need bursts of speed for sprints, requiring easily accessible energy from carbohydrates.
Muscle Development and Recovery:
High-quality protein is essential for muscle maintenance, repair, and recovery between and after games.
Sustained Energy and Stamina:
The ability to maintain performance over multiple chukkas demands slow-release energy from fats and fibre.
Hydration and Electrolyte Balance:
Given the fast pace and physical exertion, particularly in hot conditions, maintaining hydration and replenishing lost electrolytes is critical.
Metabolic Requirements of Polo Horses
Polo horses face high metabolic demands, as they are required to perform repeated short bursts of intense activity followed by brief recovery periods. To meet these demands, their diet should include:
Carbohydrates: For quick-release energy to fuel sprints and bursts of speed.
Fats: For slow-release energy, which supports sustained performance over several chukkas without causing excitability.
Proteins: For muscle repair and recovery, helping horses to maintain peak condition over multiple matches.
Key Components of a Polo Horse’s Diet
Forage
High-Quality Hay: Forage should form the bulk of the diet, providing slow-release energy and supporting digestive health. Timothy, meadow hay, or alfalfa can be excellent choices for polo ponies, offering a good balance of fibre and nutrients.
Grass: Access to fresh grass is ideal, but it should be balanced with supplementary feeding to ensure consistent nutrient intake, especially during competition seasons.
Hard feed
Performance Feeds: Polo horses benefit from feeds specifically designed for intense work. Performance feeds typically provide a mix of quick-release carbohydrates and slow-release fats to ensure energy is sustained throughout the match without causing spikes in energy or excitability.
Balancers: A feed balancer ensures that essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids are supplied without adding excessive calories. This is crucial for maintaining muscle health and overall vitality – Did you know the Pure Feed complete range all include balancers so no need to add one!
Key Components of a Polo Horse’s Diet
Energy Sources
Carbohydrates: cereals like oats, barley, and corn provide the fast-release energy necessary for the explosive bursts of speed required during chukkas. However, these should be fed in moderation to avoid over-excitability.
Fats: Vegetable oils, such as linseed or soya oil, are excellent for providing slow-release energy. Fats help sustain energy over multiple chukkas without increasing the risk of sugar spikes or excitability.
Fibre: High-fibre feeds such as beet pulp or alfalfa are ideal for providing sustained energy while promoting digestive health and maintaining even energy levels.
Protein Sources
Alfalfa: A high-protein forage, alfalfa supports muscle health and endurance, helping the horse recover quickly after exertion.
Soybean Meal: Rich in essential amino acids, soybean meal helps maintain muscle mass and repair tissue after the physical demands of a polo match.
Linseed: Contains both protein and omega-3 fatty acids, supporting muscle recovery and promoting a healthy coat – Did you know all of the Pure Feed complete range already contain linseed?
Key Components of a Polo Horse’s Diet
Supplements
Electrolytes: Essential for replacing salts lost through sweat during matches. Electrolytes should be supplemented before, during, and after games to ensure the horse remains hydrated and avoids fatigue or muscle cramps. Did you know normal electrolytes can be corrosive on the digestive system and often contain hidden sugar? Check out Pure ReFuel for the low sugar and starch, digestive friendly recovery mash!
Joint Supplements: Supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM can help support joint health, reducing wear and tear from the physical demands of the sport.
Digestive Aids: Probiotics and prebiotics support a healthy digestive system, particularly important when travelling to competitions or during periods of stress.
Hydration
Fresh Water: Polo horses sweat heavily during games, so constant access to fresh, clean water is essential, especially during training and matches. Hydration is vital for maintaining performance and preventing heat exhaustion.
Feeding Tips for Polo Horses
Energy for Performance: Provide a balance of quick-release carbohydrates for speed and slow-release energy from fats and fibre to maintain stamina over multiple chukkas.
Pre-Game Feeding: Avoid large meals just before games to prevent digestive upset. Light meals, rich in fibre and low in starch, are ideal before matches to ensure sustained energy without making the horse sluggish.
Post-Game Recovery: After matches, focus on rehydration and muscle recovery. Offer easily digestible feeds with moderate carbohydrates and high protein content to support muscle repair and replenish energy stores.
Conclusion
Feeding polo horses is all about balancing quick-release energy for power with slow-release energy for sustained performance, while also supporting muscle recovery and joint health. A diet based on high-quality forage, balanced concentrates, and targeted supplements will help ensure your horse performs at its best, both in training and during matches. Tailoring the diet to the unique demands of polo—where speed, stamina, and rapid recovery are key—will help your horse stay at peak performance throughout the season.
Hear from the Expert – Sarah Hughes’s Approach to Polo Nutrition
Sarah Hughes is a seasoned polo player with over 19 years of experience, competing in mixed and ladies’ tournaments across the globe, from 0 to 18 goal. She has represented England in international matches, including at Guards Polo Club and in India, the birthplace of polo, where she played on traditional Manipuri ponies. As an elite polo player, Sarah understands the demands this intense sport places on her horses, and why their nutrition is so important.
Polo ponies, often retrained ex-racehorses, are asked to perform at high intensity—galloping at full speed, shutting down quickly, turning sharply, and accelerating again, all while managing the rigours of close-contact play. This high level of performance requires the right fuel, which is why Sarah trusts Pure Feed to keep her ponies in top condition.
Pure Feed’s low-sugar, low-starch formulas, high in oil and fibre, provide the slow-release energy her ponies need to maintain peak performance throughout the chukka without becoming too excitable. This balanced approach ensures that the ponies remain focused and steady, even in the heat of competition. The feed’s inclusion of a balancer also covers all their vitamin and mineral needs, promoting fitness, condition, and overall health.
To support recovery, Sarah uses Pure ReFuel after matches. Packed with electrolytes to replace those lost through sweat and limiting amino acids to aid muscle recovery, it helps her ponies bounce back quickly, ensuring they’re ready for the next game.
With the help of Pure Feed, Sarah ensures her ponies are fit, focused, and fully prepared for the demands of top-level polo, both in the UK and around the world.
Featured products for Polo Horses
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Minty, mashy goodness your horse won’t say no to 🌿✨
Pure Meadow Mash, our tasty, high-fibre hay replacer that makes even the pickiest eaters lick the bowl clean.
Perfect for warm mashes, replacing hay, boosting fibre, and tempting fussy horses.
Tap the link in our bio to find out more 🩵
Minty, mashy goodness your horse won’t say no to 🌿✨
Pure Meadow Mash, our tasty, high-fibre hay replacer that makes even the pickiest eaters lick the bowl clean.
Perfect for warm mashes, replacing hay, boosting fibre, and tempting fussy horses.
Tap the link in our bio to find out more 🩵
Trying to find an alfalfa-free feed for your horse? The entire Pure Feed range is alfalfa-free 🩵
Whether your horse is a sensitive good doer, laminitis-prone, or just needs a balanced, controlled diet, our alfalfa-free range delivers everything they need!
Take the guesswork out of feeding and explore the Pure Feed range today and see the difference gut-friendly, balanced nutrition can make!
Trying to find an alfalfa-free feed for your horse? The entire Pure Feed range is alfalfa-free 🩵
Whether your horse is a sensitive good doer, laminitis-prone, or just needs a balanced, controlled diet, our alfalfa-free range delivers everything they need!
Take the guesswork out of feeding and explore the Pure Feed range today and see the difference gut-friendly, balanced nutrition can make!
🩵 Shoutout to Avon Animal Feeds 🩵
Your go-to local hub for all things horsey and proud stockists of Pure Feed!
Whether you need a bag of your favourite feed, advice on what to try next, or just an excuse to browse… the team at Avon Animal Feeds has you covered!
📍 Pop in and support your local store
🛒 Grab your Pure Feed favourites
📲 Or head to our bio to visit our stockist map
🩵 Shoutout to Avon Animal Feeds 🩵
Your go-to local hub for all things horsey and proud stockists of Pure Feed!
Whether you need a bag of your favourite feed, advice on what to try next, or just an excuse to browse… the team at Avon Animal Feeds has you covered!
📍 Pop in and support your local store
🛒 Grab your Pure Feed favourites
📲 Or head to our bio to visit our stockist map
Boost your horse’s diet naturally with Pure Linseed 🌿
A high-quality, oil-rich, micronised seed that’s gentle on the gut and provides slow-release calories to support condition, coat quality, and overall wellbeing. Packed with natural oils and fibre, linseed promotes a shiny coat, skin condition, and a balanced digestive system, all without added sugar or starch.
Micronised for optimal digestibility, it can be fed to support weight gain or sprinkled over feed to enhance skin and coat. Versatile, natural, and wholesome nutrition you can trust.
Boost your horse’s diet naturally with Pure Linseed 🌿
A high-quality, oil-rich, micronised seed that’s gentle on the gut and provides slow-release calories to support condition, coat quality, and overall wellbeing. Packed with natural oils and fibre, linseed promotes a shiny coat, skin condition, and a balanced digestive system, all without added sugar or starch.
Micronised for optimal digestibility, it can be fed to support weight gain or sprinkled over feed to enhance skin and coat. Versatile, natural, and wholesome nutrition you can trust.
Struggling with less grass this winter? All Pure Feed complete feeds are high in digestible fibre, keeping your horse’s gut moving and energy steady.
Need extra fibre or a hay replacer? Pure Meadow Mash is perfect – safe to feed in larger quantities and great for popping straight out into your horse’s field so they can nibble naturally 🩵
Struggling with less grass this winter? All Pure Feed complete feeds are high in digestible fibre, keeping your horse’s gut moving and energy steady.
Need extra fibre or a hay replacer? Pure Meadow Mash is perfect – safe to feed in larger quantities and great for popping straight out into your horse’s field so they can nibble naturally 🩵
Think feeding large meals will help your horse put on weight? 🐴
Even large horses have small stomachs, only 8–15 litres. One giant feed can overload digestion, sending a lot of nutrients straight into the hindgut, where much of it passes out as wasted manure instead of helping your horse gain condition 💸💩
Smaller, frequent meals of high-fibre, energy-dense feeds maximise nutrient absorption, support normal gut function, and help your horse gain condition safely Think feeding big buckets will help your horse put on weight? 🐴
Even large horses have small stomachs — only 8–15 litres. One giant feed can overload digestion, sending a lot of nutrients straight into the hindgut — where much of it passes out as wasted manure instead of helping your horse gain condition. 💸💩
Smaller, frequent meals of high-fibre, energy-dense feeds — like Pure Feed — maximise nutrient absorption, support healthy gut function, and help your horse gain condition safely 🩵
Think feeding large meals will help your horse put on weight? 🐴
Even large horses have small stomachs, only 8–15 litres. One giant feed can overload digestion, sending a lot of nutrients straight into the hindgut, where much of it passes out as wasted manure instead of helping your horse gain condition 💸💩
Smaller, frequent meals of high-fibre, energy-dense feeds maximise nutrient absorption, support normal gut function, and help your horse gain condition safely Think feeding big buckets will help your horse put on weight? 🐴
Even large horses have small stomachs — only 8–15 litres. One giant feed can overload digestion, sending a lot of nutrients straight into the hindgut — where much of it passes out as wasted manure instead of helping your horse gain condition. 💸💩
Smaller, frequent meals of high-fibre, energy-dense feeds — like Pure Feed — maximise nutrient absorption, support healthy gut function, and help your horse gain condition safely 🩵
Good doer? Keep the weight off without cutting out their feed 🌿
Pure Balance – low-cal balancer, the base of every Pure Feed
Fibre Balance – handful of chaff + balancer
Easy – low-cal with extra oil & fibre to support energy
Struggling to get it right? Our Diet Plan Service builds the perfect feeding plan for your good doer 🩵 Link in bio
Good doer? Keep the weight off without cutting out their feed 🌿
Pure Balance – low-cal balancer, the base of every Pure Feed
Fibre Balance – handful of chaff + balancer
Easy – low-cal with extra oil & fibre to support energy
Struggling to get it right? Our Diet Plan Service builds the perfect feeding plan for your good doer 🩵 Link in bio
Feeding shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. ⏱️
With Pure Feed, everything your horse needs is already in the bag 👉 balancer, fibre, vitamins, minerals, slow-release energy = all sorted.
Just scoop ➜ feed ➜ get on with the fun stuff 🩵
Want a simpler winter routine?
Free diet plans in our bio.
Feeding shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. ⏱️
With Pure Feed, everything your horse needs is already in the bag 👉 balancer, fibre, vitamins, minerals, slow-release energy = all sorted.
Just scoop ➜ feed ➜ get on with the fun stuff 🩵
Want a simpler winter routine?
Free diet plans in our bio.
Here at Pure Feed, we use unmolassed sugar beet for one reason: it works. 🌱✨
This super-fibre gives your horse cool energy, better digestion, and natural condition, plus is naturally low in sugar and starch. No spikes, no fizz, just smart nutrition that supports every horse, every day.
High fibre ✔️
Naturally digestible ✔️
Gut-friendly ✔️
Performance you can feel ✔️
Link in bio to explore the full range 🩵
Here at Pure Feed, we use unmolassed sugar beet for one reason: it works. 🌱✨
This super-fibre gives your horse cool energy, better digestion, and natural condition, plus is naturally low in sugar and starch. No spikes, no fizz, just smart nutrition that supports every horse, every day.
High fibre ✔️
Naturally digestible ✔️
Gut-friendly ✔️
Performance you can feel ✔️
Link in bio to explore the full range 🩵
The festive break is over, and we’re back! 🎉 Our office is open and ready to help you kick off the new year on the right hoof!
Give us a call: 01458 333333
Email: info@purefeed.com
Or simply send us a DM - we’d love to hear from you!
The festive break is over, and we’re back! 🎉 Our office is open and ready to help you kick off the new year on the right hoof!
Give us a call: 01458 333333
Email: info@purefeed.com
Or simply send us a DM - we’d love to hear from you!
Hello 2026! 🎉
A new year is the perfect moment to reset your horse’s routine, review their diet, and make sure they’re getting exactly what they need for the season ahead.
Whether your goals are condition, performance, weight control, or simply keeping things consistent through winter, the Pure Feed range is designed to make feeding easier; complete, molasses free, high fibre, and built around slow-release energy.
If you want help planning your horse’s nutrition for the year ahead, try our free personalised diet plan to start 2026 on the right hoof 😉
👉 https://www.purefeed.com/free-personalised-diet-plan/
Hello 2026! 🎉
A new year is the perfect moment to reset your horse’s routine, review their diet, and make sure they’re getting exactly what they need for the season ahead.
Whether your goals are condition, performance, weight control, or simply keeping things consistent through winter, the Pure Feed range is designed to make feeding easier; complete, molasses free, high fibre, and built around slow-release energy.
If you want help planning your horse’s nutrition for the year ahead, try our free personalised diet plan to start 2026 on the right hoof 😉
👉 https://www.purefeed.com/free-personalised-diet-plan/
As we wrap up 2025, we just want to say a huge thank you to our Pure Feed community; every horse, every owner, every yard that’s chosen to feed the fibre-first way this year.
From good doers to performance horses, golden oldies to cheeky youngsters, you’ve trusted us to keep their diets simple, balanced, and molasses-free… and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Here’s to shiny coats, happy horses, and more Pure-fuelled adventures in 2026 🩵
As we wrap up 2025, we just want to say a huge thank you to our Pure Feed community; every horse, every owner, every yard that’s chosen to feed the fibre-first way this year.
From good doers to performance horses, golden oldies to cheeky youngsters, you’ve trusted us to keep their diets simple, balanced, and molasses-free… and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Here’s to shiny coats, happy horses, and more Pure-fuelled adventures in 2026 🩵
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 🩵
What people say about Pure Feed
