We’re getting near to that time of year that horse owners really look forward to. The days are extending and the weather will hopefully be slowly improving soon! But does your horse have the guts to face getting fit and ready for the season ahead?
Get Season Ready!
Whatever the weather, now is the time to get that pre-season plan in place, particularly where short, dark days and poor weather have meant a fitness drop over winter. Work with your trainer on where your horse’s current fitness level is and how to step up from that.
Assess your horse’s health generally, to see how well they are coming out of winter before we step up the work. Digestive health, particularly, can be an area of concern at this time of year, due to the challenges of winter horse management.
Gastric challenge over Winter
- Longer time stabled reduces trickle grazing
- Higher reliance on concentrate feeds and meal feeding
- Reduced movement whilst stabled
- Routine disruption, often weather driven
Look out for the following signs and do discuss them with your vet if you are concerned about changes in your horse.
Signs of Gastric Stress
- Condition loss
- Poor coat condition
- Girthiness / tacking up issues
- Behaviour change, particularly irritability
- Reluctance to work / poor settling in work
- Poor performance
Call in the Professionals
A pre-season check with your horse’s para-professionals, such as your Equine Dentist, Farrier, Physio and Tack Fitter is recommended to make sure everything is settled, comfortable and ready to go. Remember gastric health, particularly, can be a sign of discomfort elsewhere, so it is important that all avenues are followed.
Nutrition is a key part of that professional health review. For accredited nutritional advice contact the BETA ENFAR Nutritionists or Feed Advisers at NAF.
For a calm, settled gastric environment an early Spring course of NAF Five Star GastriVet is recommended.
NAF GastriVet provides:
- Clinically proven supplement
- Prebiotics, Probiotic yeast and Postbiotics for total tract health
- Apple pectin and lecithin for mucosal maintenance
- Natural fibres for digestive health and contribute to the gastric mat.
Tips for Feeding GastriVet
- Split between feeds across the day
- Include GastriVet in their pre-exercise high-fibre feed
- Add to a high fibre, low concentrate diet to extend feeding times and minimize starch associated risks
- Safe to feed alongside veterinary treatment to ensure a smooth transfer to long-term care
For most horses after their initial course of GastriVet they can swap to GastriAid for maintenance. However, this does need to be done dependent on the individual’s need. For further information, or for any additional help, please contact our friendly staff at RB Equestrian.
In February 2026, save 20% off Naf Five Star GastriVet! Hurry while stocks last.
