Articles from the European Trainer Magazine archive - available to read online.
Too often thought of as just a ‘filler’, or occupational therapy to while away the time between hard feeds, forage is worth so much more than that. Simply feeding an inadequate quantity of forage, or choosing forage that has an inappropriate nutrient profile, or is of poor quality can have a negative impact both on health and performance in racehorses.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - Issue 18 - Summer 2007)
Read MoreMost of the current crop of 2yo’s will now have been broken and are in the early stages of training proper in readiness for the forthcoming flat racing season. This period brings with it numerous problems for trainers and their staff, such as horses with high muscle enzymes, episodes of tying up, respiratory infections, various lamenesses and other skeletal problems or simply over exuberance.
Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 17 - Spring 2007)
Read MoreThe expression ‘no foot no horse’ should perhaps be extended to cover all the bones of the skeleton, for as far as racehorses are concerned, without strength and durability in this area a trainer’s job is fraught with difficulties.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 16 - Winter 2006)
Read MoreRemoval of fibre and water intake before a race are supposed to enhance performance in Racehorses… Surely this is not sound practice, let alone science. No sensible, modern day athlete would go out of their way to cause discomfort in their digestive system and thereby reduce performance, let alone remove hydration.
Ian Lane (European Trainer - issue 15 - Autumn 2006)
Read MoreElectrolytes are essential components of the racehorse’s diet as they are vital to the proper functioning of the body’s basic physiological processes, such as nerve conduction, muscle contraction, fluid balance and skeletal integrity.
Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 14 - Summer 2006)
Read MoreDietary protein is probably one of the most talked about elements of a racehorses’ diet, which is unfortunately ill deserved. Whilst the level of protein in the diet is important for tissue growth and repair, it is probably the least important source of energy to the athletic horse when compared to starch, fibre and oil.
Dr Catherine Dunnett (European Trainer - issue 13 - Spring 2006)
Read MorePrevious articles in Trainer have looked at how the horse, regardless of what he has been developed to do, remains the nomadic, trickle feeding animal that nature designed him to be. We have also examined how modern diet and management, combined with the physical and mental stress imposed on the competition and racing animal are contributory factors in a variety of problems, including ‘stereotypy’ behaviour such as cribbing and windsucking, and the perennial problem of ulcers and colic.
Sue McMullen (European Trainer - issue 7 - Spring 2007)
Read MoreHorse racing magazine for the training and development of the thoroughbred racehorse.
