How To Keep Melbourne Cup Horses In Peak Condition

The Melbourne Cup 2023 is right around the corner. This year’s edition of ‘the Race That Stops the Nation’ will take place at Flemington Racecourse on November 7. With 24 horses vying for the title and AUD$8 million as prize money, you surely are excited about it, like most, if not all, horseracing enthusiasts within and outside Australia.

Races in the Melbourne Cup, including the Melbourne Cup carnival races, are extravagant, adding to the thrill of the overall experience. The entertainment, food, champagne, and crowd—there are many things to look forward to. However, have you ever thought about how the participating horses prepare and what it takes to clinch the title? If you’re a racehorse owner, then you probably have. You also understand that without proper conditioning, pushing a horse to work hard can be disastrous.

If you don’t have a racehorse but are interested in knowing how one is prepared for a race after checking the Melbourne Cup list of horses, continue reading to understand how these racehorses are kept in peak condition to ensure they’re up to the challenge.

Feeding the horse to meet energy demands

Good-quality forages form the basis of feeds for all horses. A combination of hay and pasture provides the needed energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals, minimizing the need for additional supplementation.

However, have you seen what Melbourne Cup endurance horses do? If not, you can get a good idea of what they need on this channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Racenet_AU. If you have, you know they cannot meet their energy requirements from forage alone. So it’s a good idea to incorporate grains—such as corn and barley (which contain up to 75% more energy per kilogram than hays)—into the feeding program. One thing to note about grains, though, is that they’re traditionally high in carbohydrates, which can be harmful to the horse. Large amounts of corn or barley in the racehorse’s diet may lead to colic, ulcers, and other ailments. Fat supplementation to replace some of the carbohydrates can be beneficial. Good fat sources include vegetable oils, such as corn and canola.

The importance of reducing reliance on starch and sugar for energy by replacing some of them with fats led to the development of commercial feeds specifically made for racehorses. Over the past years, more and more racehorse trainers use these manufactured products. In addition to using alternative energy sources to starch, these formulas are fortified, meeting a racehorse’s vitamins, minerals, and other nutrient requirements as long as they are fed the right amount of forage.

Grooming the horse properly for optimal conditioning performance

By serving as a preventive healthcare measure, grooming is also crucial to conditioning programs for the Melbourne Cup racehorses. Grooms usually perform coat-and-hoof care and trimming, ensuring the horse’s vision and movement are unhampered. Regular checkups and vaccinations with equine veterinarians are also part of the process.

Daily grooming sessions help racehorse owners and trainers check the horse’s condition regularly. The result? Early detection and treatment of skin and hoof issues.

Grooming, however, goes beyond the physical needs of the horse. Like human athletes, racehorses also need mental stimulation to stay engaged and mentally prepared. Grooming can take care of it. Not only that, but it also provides much-needed social interaction for stress reduction.

With grooming done properly and regularly, racehorses are happier and more contented, improving their mental and emotional well-being. Of course, that’d translate into better training and race performances.

Following a structured training program

Following feeding and grooming is training. Note that Melbourne Cup horses don’t just follow any training program; they follow a structure specifically tailored for them.

Racehorse training programs usually combine strength training, cardiovascular workouts, and interval exercises. They aim to increase the horse’s power and endurance. As mentioned, mental conditioning is also crucial, so most drills also target confidence improvement and reduction in resentment among horses.

As you can see, a lot of things go into the training programs for racehorses. However, if one component is considered the most important, it’s physical conditioning. It’s the building of the horse’s strength and stamina over time. To do that, trainers usually use two conditioning methods: slow-speed and high-speed conditioning. The former involves trotting and cantering at a slow pace for longer distances, while the latter focuses more on a set distance and gradual increase in speed.

Getting enough rest

Training days are crucial. However, Melbourne Cup horse trainers also fully understand the importance of rest and recovery. That’s especially true days before the race. The same goes for training sessions. There should be breaks in between to allow the horse to recharge. The last thing you’d want to do is overexert the racehorse because no matter how experienced they are, they will perform poorly.

Conclusion

Keeping Melbourne Cup horses in peak condition is a complex yet rewarding task for trainers. It not only requires knowledge but also patience, dedication, and understanding. Seeing their racehorses succeed on the racetrack brings immense joy and pride, making every effort during the preparation stage worthwhile.