Performance Feed
For horses in heavy, consistent work -- performance feeds provide the higher calorie and protein density that intense training or competition demands.
Runner-up: Weight Gain Feed · Retake the quiz
Why this fits you
- Your horse is in heavy, consistent work -- racing, eventing, or intense daily training.
- Forage alone isn't meeting their elevated energy demands.
- You need a feed formulated for sustained athletic performance, not just maintenance.
Performance feeds are formulated with higher calorie and protein density to meet the elevated energy demands of horses in consistent heavy work -- racing, eventing, upper-level competition, or intense daily training. They're not appropriate for a lightly worked or sedentary horse, where the extra calories would simply cause unwanted weight gain.
How it compares
| Feed type | Calorie density | Best for |
| Ration Balancer | Low | Easy keepers on good forage |
| Senior Feed | Moderate-high | Older horses, dental issues |
| Performance Feed | High | Heavy consistent work |
| Weight Gain Feed | High (fat-based) | Thin horses needing condition |
| Low-Starch/Low-Sugar Feed | Moderate | Metabolic or excitable horses |
Buying checklist
- Match the feed to actual work intensity -- overfeeding a lightly worked horse performance feed risks obesity and metabolic issues
- Often higher in fat and starch for sustained energy -- monitor for any sensitivity
- Pair with appropriate electrolyte management for heavy sweating during work
When this isn’t the right fit
Performance feed is too much for a lightly worked horse or an easy keeper, and it risks excess weight and, in some horses, behavior or metabolic problems. Match the feed to the work the horse actually does.
Other results from this quiz may suit your situation better:
- Ration Balancer: for a healthy horse on good pasture or hay not needing extra calories
- Senior Feed: for older horses with dental issues or difficulty maintaining weight
- Low-Starch/Low-Sugar Feed: for metabolic horses or those prone to excitability on traditional grain
- Weight Gain Feed: for thin horses needing to gain condition
Because this touches your horse’s health or comfort, check with your veterinarian before you act on a general guide like this one.
Run the numbers
Frequently asked questions
How much work counts as needing performance feed?
Generally sustained heavy work -- daily intense training, competition, or racing -- rather than occasional or light riding, which typically doesn't need the extra calorie density.
Can performance feed cause problems if overfed?
Yes -- feeding performance-level calories to a horse that isn't working hard enough to use them risks obesity, metabolic strain, and behavioral issues from excess energy.
Does performance feed replace electrolyte supplementation?
No -- performance feed addresses calorie and protein needs; electrolyte loss from heavy sweating during work is a separate consideration, often needing its own supplementation.
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