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RACE ‘N REPLACE
Suitable for: All types of performance horses. Designed to be used alongside other Equus products as an energy enhancer.
Style: Pellet
Product Description
Equus Race ‘n Replace is a high Glycemic Index (GI) supplement used for horses which require elevated levels of energy. It has specifically been designed for horses participating in events which cause carbohydrate depletion resulting in the need for “fast release” energy to replenish the lack of available glycogen in the system quickly and efficiently.
(To learn more about Glycemic Index click here for our article: GI Diets
Race ‘n Replace can also be used as an energy supplement during intensive training programmes. Research shows that consuming carbohydrates within the first 30 minutes after exercise optimises the replenishment of glycogen stores, whereas after an hour or longer, the replenishment process slows down considerably. Making use of this “window of opportunity”, while the muscles act like sponges in sucking up glycogen, assists greatly in achieving optimum performance where horses are in hard training.
Race ‘n Replace consists of a combination of fully cooked energy sources making it a very unique, high energy feed with the ability to shuttle glycogen into the muscle cells much more quickly than other feeds. Because the starch is cooked it can prevent an overflow of undigested starch into the hindgut which often causes digestive disturbances or even tying up.
Although specifically designed with a low Protein content for ease of digestion during intense workloads, Race ‘n Replace contains very high quality Protein with added lysine and other essential amino acids critical for muscle repair during strenuous events. This high energy ration is also presented in a fibre base and has a good electrolyte balance.
Race ‘n Replace was initially tested on endurance horses. Success with the product was immediate and it soon found its way into other disciplines like Eventing, Polo, Polo- Crosse and Show Jumping where it comes in very handy during long days of continuous events which often lead to a drop, or the eventual depletion, of carbohydrate stores necessitating a boost of fast release energy to complete the day successfully.
Feeding Guidelines
Feeding horses correctly requires a good eye and careful monitoring of your horse’s individual needs, condition and behaviour. We therefore suggest you contact us directly for personalised feeding advise- contact Equus Horse Feeds at + 27 73 423 5491 / + 27 83 998 6824.
Because of its very high energy content, Race ‘n Replace should not form the base of a horse’s diet but should rather be used as an energy supplement in conjunction with a normal feed. Feeding recommendations will vary greatly between individual horses, their different energy metabolisms and the intensity of the activity. It is advisable to begin using this product in smaller quantities and through gradual adjustments determine what works best for each horse.
Feeding RnR to General Competition Horses
Some horses naturally lacking in energy will benefit from a Race ‘n Replace meal an hour or two before the event. Most horses however, will perform best by receiving their normal standard GI meal in the morning and evening (Cool ‘n Perform or Train ‘n Leisure for example), followed by a meal of the Race ‘n Replace half way through the day to keep energy levels up for the remainder of the day. Alternatively small amounts of Race n Replace can be fed at each meal to provide extra energy throughout the day.
Each horse is an individual and therefore different amounts may need to be used, however as a rule of thumb, 400g – 750g per day for ponies/ small horses and 750g – 1kg for large horses.
Generally no more than 1kg per day is needed, although up to 2kg can be safely fed per day as long as the horse has adapted to the product.
Feeding RnR to the Endurance Horse
Feeding endurance horses is a complex process made more difficult by the fact that the diet required during training is not the same as what is required during an actual endurance race – these two different requirements are worlds apart. During the months of training and building up to the required fitness level, a “base” diet is required to supply all the protein, vitamins and minerals needed. In order to obtain the best results this ration should also ensure a gradual release of energy.
As can be seen, this “racing supplement” is completely different to the “base” diet which has higher protein and a gradual release of energy as opposed to the “fast release” energy required during racing.
Energy for endurance events is mainly fueled by fats and carbohydrates, but carbohydrates are the cornerstone of fueling for endurance. The conversion of carbohydrates to energy is highly efficient compared to that of fats and protein. However, while carbohydrates are a great fuel source, a horse’s storage capacity, even with sufficient training, is insufficient to meet the demands of competitive endurance events, hence the importance of refueling the horse’s glycogen stores.
After a hard racing session, replenishing the horse’s depleted glycogen stores is of paramount importance. The ability to replenish these stores at veterinary checkpoints, as well as after the event, will determine how ready the horse will be for the next leg of the race, and also
for the next day’s session. Ingestion of the wrong carbohydrates at the wrong time, or ingesting too few carbohydrates, can seriously impair performance, whilst consuming slowly digested carbohydrates during times where the body is at, or above, threshold can lead to disaster.
The feeding recommendations for Race ‘n Replace are divided into two categories:
- Feeding During Training
- Feeding During an Event
It is important to note that individual horses (particularly high performance horses) do not all react in the same way and these recommendations should be used as guidelines only. Also keep in mind that Race ‘n Replace is regarded as a high GI, high energy, supplement. It should therefore be applied as a supplement and used in conjunction with a normal base ration e.g Equus Cool ‘n Perform 15, 12 or even Train n Leisure.
During training:
Equus Race ‘n Replace should constitute about 20 – 25% of the total concentrate used per day.
For example: If the normal diet is 5kg per day, for example, then use 4kg Equus Cool ‘n Perform 12 plus 1kg Equus Race ‘n Replace /day
(Note: 5kg is used as an example – the total required should be determined by the size of the horse, condition, muscle development, energy level, time taken for recovery and the intensity of the training schedule)
Muscle recovery during the weeks of training will be much improved if ½kg – 1kg Race ‘n Replace is given as soon as the horse is willing to eat after the training session. In this way the horse also learns to eat undiluted Race ‘n Replace as will be the case during a race.
During the race:
It is not recommended to use the high GI Equus Race ‘n Replace as the early morning pre-race feed for most horses. Rather, begin the day with the moderate GI feeds such as Equus Cool ‘n Perform plus the normal roughage used, a few hours before the race.
During the race, however, use Race ‘n Replace only with additional hay or lucerne as you would normally. It is advisable to dampen the feed but it is not necessary to add additional oils as the Race ‘n Replace already contains 32ml of oil/kg of feed and an excess of oil can interfere with fibre digestion and also cause digestive disturbances
Most horses will not eat large quantities when hot and tired but an intake of between 750g and 1kg at the veterinary checkpoints and as soon after the race as possible is advisable.
Equus Race ‘n Replace should be fed after the horse returns from the veterinary checkpoint as eating and drinking before the veterinary check may increase the horse’s pulse rate.
Although the Race ‘n Replace contains a good balance of electrolytes it is advisable to maintain your usual electrolyte programme.For some horses, the administering of electrolytes works better after feed and water consumption as the electrolytes may induce a loss of appetite.
Nutritional Specifications
