The needs of the endurance horse

Endurance horses—used in the equestrian discipline of Endurance—are animals selected and trained to maintain high levels of aerobic performance over courses that can exceed 160 km in a single day. Their functional profile is characterized by a combination of metabolic efficiency, cardiovascular endurance, optimized thermoregulation, and a robust musculoskeletal structure.

It is a discipline that tests the speed, skill, and physical and psychological endurance of both horse and rider. Strategy and the connection between the two are fundamental: the rider must possess the ability and skill to pace the effort and maintain a suitable rhythm throughout the event.

An athlete built for endurance

Technically, the performance of an endurance horse depends on the interaction between genetics, progressive conditioning programs, nutritional management, and supplementation strategies aimed at optimizing metabolism, hydration, electrolyte balance, and the efficiency of cooling and thermoregulatory processes—all key factors during veterinary checks. These elements combine to make the endurance horse a highly specialized long-distance athlete, capable of maintaining high average speeds without compromising internal homeostasis.

The importance of joint health

The joints of a sport horse are subjected to constant microtrauma, and repetitive stress can lead to degenerative injuries. Endurance riding is a unique discipline due to the combination of long distances, prolonged exertion, and repetitive joint impact, creating a scenario in which the joints operate at the limit of their physiological tolerance.


Good joint support helps delay the onset and progression of degenerative lesions. Chondroprotective agents can play a significant role by helping to protect, maintain, and support the functionality of articular cartilage, as well as contributing to the support of ligaments and tendons—a critical factor in physically demanding disciplines such as endurance riding.

ARTI EQUIFLEX PLUS – Advanced formula for joint support
Unique due to its comprehensive formula—featuring glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, MSM, hyaluronic acid, and collagen—as well as its high concentration and assimilation.

Controlled inflammation, efficient recovery

Endurance horses face prolonged physical exertion that places heavy demands on their muscles, joints, tendons, and metabolic and respiratory systems. This triggers physiological inflammation as a natural response to intense exercise. While inflammation is an adaptive response necessary for cellular repair, its persistence can lead to pain, stiffness, reduced performance, and an increased risk of muscle, tendon, and joint injuries.

For this reason, the use of supplements with natural anti-inflammatory properties—which are safe for competition (free from banned substances or "doping agents")—has become an essential tool in the management of endurance horses. These supplements support the body's own anti-inflammatory mechanisms without relying on drugs that could mask injuries, alter the horse's physiology, or result in competition penalties. In doing so, they help maintain the horse's comfort, mobility, and recovery capacity, while upholding the principles of animal welfare and the integrity of the sport.

 
METAZONE - Formulated specifically to manage, alleviate, and control pain.
METAZONE is formulated for competing horses, with no risk of testing positive for prohibited substances. Its ingredients support and enhance the horse's anti-inflammatory response throughout the entire body.

Musculature: the engine of the endurance horse

Balanced musculature is essential, as it not only enhances performance but also safeguards the horse's health:

1. Improved movement efficiency: Well-developed musculature enhances the horse's biomechanics, reducing energy expenditure and minimizing muscle fatigue.
2. Protection of the musculoskeletal system: Muscles act as a "biological shock absorber," absorbing some of the impact and protecting joints, tendons, and ligaments. They also reduce the load on the limbs by improving joint alignment, thereby lowering the risk of injury.
3. Optimization of energy metabolism: Greater muscle mass implies a larger mitochondrial surface area, which promotes the use of fat as an energy source. This delays lactate accumulation, improves heat management, and contributes to better thermoregulation.
4. Enhanced cardiovascular function: It increases blood perfusion and promotes more efficient venous return, allowing for a faster heart rate recovery after exertion. This is one of the most obvious differences between a well-muscled horse and one that is not.
5. Prevention of back injuries: Strong back and abdominal muscles stabilize the back, reduce strain on the croup and lumbar region, and minimize rider interference with the horse's movement.
6. Link to mental stamina: Well-muscled horses tend to fatigue less, handle prolonged stress better, and maintain focus for longer periods. Musculature also influences tolerance to exertion and pain.

M POWER - Maximum muscle power, strength, and endurance.
Its supply of amino acids, antioxidants, and digestive support helps build and maintain muscle mass correctly and efficiently, resulting in improved muscle quality, recovery, and performance, as well as a reduced risk of fatigue-related injuries.

Energy and performance

Once adequate muscle mass has been developed, the horse requires an energy supply that allows the muscle to function correctly. This energy comes primarily from carbohydrates (glycogen)—necessary for intense exertion—and fats (fatty acids), which are crucial for prolonged exertion. In endurance riding, fat is the most important fuel for the muscle during moderate-intensity, long-duration exercise.
For this energy metabolism to be efficient, an adequate supply of oxygen is essential, as it enables energy production from the muscle's fat reserves.

✅ With sufficient oxygen -> muscle burns fat -> stable, long-lasting energy is generated -> muscle fatigue is delayed and recovery improves.

❌ Without oxygen -> muscle relies on glycogen -> lactate and acidosis levels rise -> muscle fatigue accelerates.

 OMEGA OIL - Omega Oils
They provide metabolic support, improved aerobic performance, and glycogen sparing, and contribute to cellular health by enhancing muscle function.

In endurance riding, oxygen is the primary factor in muscle performance. Intense training and competitions increase the demand for it, and red blood cells are responsible for transporting it from the lungs to the muscles; therefore, maintaining an optimal level of these cells is also important.

HAEMATINIC - Nutritional support with iron, copper, zinc, and B-group vitamins.
A nutritional supplement designed to improve a horse's blood parameters. It aims to enhance the blood profile, increase red blood cell and hemoglobin levels, optimize muscle oxygenation, and improve the horse's performance and recovery.

Breathing and performance

A healthy, efficient respiratory system is fundamental, as it is responsible for supplying oxygen to the muscles during prolonged exercise. As previously mentioned, it is essential that sufficient oxygen reaches the muscles to delay oxidative stress, lactic acid buildup, and—consequently—muscle fatigue during exercise. Furthermore, good respiratory function is key to recovery, as it facilitates the normalization of physiological parameters following exertion.

RESPIRATOR / RESPIRATOR BOOST (liquid)
Its formula—containing MSM, Vitamin C, plant extracts, and Vitamin E—supports proper respiratory tract function and expectoration. It strengthens mucous membranes to improve respiratory capacity and also helps reinforce pulmonary blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
The liquid format allows for faster action, whereas the powder is better suited for daily support.

Electrolytes and antioxidants: essential allies

For horses engaged in high-demand activities, such as endurance riding, electrolytes and antioxidants are essential. Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium) are lost through sweat and are vital for maintaining optimal hydration levels, as well as for proper muscle contraction and nerve function. They are crucial for maintaining the horse's health and peak performance.

HYDRABOOST – Premium electrolytes in a syringe
Fast-acting, maximum-absorption rehydration oral gel; easy to administer.

ELECTROSALTS – Powder and liquid electrolytes
With its balanced formula of mineral salts, ELECTRO SALTS rehydrates, recovers, and recharges the horse. Available in powder and liquid forms.

For their part, antioxidants (such as vitamin E and vitamin C) protect cells against oxidative stress and the lactic acid production generated by prolonged exercise, helping to preserve muscle tissue, reduce inflammation, and promote efficient recovery.

ANTI OXI DANT – Cellular protection against free radicals
It is designed to protect horses' cells against oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals generated during exercise, protecting muscles and organs from oxidative damage, promoting recovery, and supporting endurance and sustained performance in long-duration events.

Digestive health, key to success

The digestive system is the fundamental pillar integrating nutrition, health, and athletic performance. The proper functioning of other bodily systems—muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and even the nervous system—depends on it. Digestive efficiency determines energy availability, the maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance, the appropriate metabolic response to exercise, and recovery capacity.

Good digestive health not only enhances a horse's athletic career but also reduces the incidence of conditions such as colic, diarrhea, food intolerances, gastric ulcers, and metabolic or muscular disorders. An increasing number of studies demonstrate the importance of gut microbiota to equine health. In endurance riding, stress caused by training, transport, and competition can disrupt the microbiota, directly impacting both performance and health.

DIGESTIVE – Probiotics, enzymes, and yeasts that contribute to digestive well-being
Designed to balance and strengthen equine gastrointestinal health, it contains a combination of probiotics, enzymes, and yeasts that optimize digestion and nutrient absorption. This is particularly valuable for endurance horses, where efficient digestion translates into improved athletic performance, recovery, and overall condition.

 
FLORYBOOST – Protects and stimulates intestinal flora
A syringe with a high content of bentonite (montmorillonite) and essential oils for optimal intestinal health. It contains prebiotics, electrolytes, and energy sources that help maintain microflora balance and intestinal tract health. It is designed to restore and maintain the balance of intestinal flora during periods of digestive stress.

Immune system and recovery

Intense training, handling, transport, and competition place significant stress on sport horses, potentially weakening their immune systems.
A robust immune system protects against infections, inflammation, skin disorders, and other ailments—with digestive and respiratory issues being particularly common. Furthermore, it directly influences performance and recovery, making it a decisive factor in success and a long competitive career. After competing, sport horses often suffer from generalized exhaustion, muscle tightness or fatigue, and other ailments. Recovery can be a very slow process, which in turn impairs performance.

PROTEQUIN – Echinacea-based
PROTEQUIN is a liquid immunostimulant supplement that strengthens the immune system by stimulating the production and activity of the body's defenses, reducing the duration of infections, and accelerating recovery following stress, transport, or intense training. It is formulated with natural extracts—such as echinacea, astragalus, and cat's claw—that possess immunostimulant and antioxidant properties.

ICE COOL – Witch Hazel and Arnica Clay
ICE COOL is a natural, firming, instant-cooling clay with powerful anti-inflammatory action. It is primarily used on the limbs to soothe tendons, ligaments, muscles, and joints, helping to reduce swelling and inflammation. Easy to apply.

The endurance horse is an exceptional athlete requiring comprehensive management to perform optimally while ensuring its health and competitive longevity. Its specific needs make strategic supplementation a fundamental tool for achieving this.
Responsible management of nutrition and supplementation, combined with progressive training and veterinary supervision, ensures that endurance horses can perform at their peak, recover efficiently, and remain healthy in the long term.