• Health

  • January 27, 2025
  • By Agradi

Everything you need to know to support your horse's muscles with HorseFlex

Everything you need to know to support your horse's muscles with HorseFlex

Flexible and strong muscles are important for every horse. They allow your horse to move easily, increase stamina and prevent certain injuries. But how exactly do a horse's muscles work, which nutrients are important for healthy muscles and how do you stimulate muscle building? In this paper, HorseFlex tells you more about a horse's muscles and how to support them!

The muscles of a horse
A horse's body consists largely of muscles. There are three types of muscles: smooth muscles, cardiac muscles and skeletal muscles. The smooth muscles and heart muscles are located deeper in the body and are responsible for the functioning of the internal organs. They function unconsciously and automatically. The skeletal muscles, also called body muscles, are attached to the skeleton and are responsible for the movement of the body. These skeletal muscles are voluntary and move only when the brain sends a signal via the nerves. All these muscles in the horse's body are made up of muscle bundles. A muscle bundle consists of muscle fibres. A muscle can thus consist of as many as millions of muscle fibres. Muscle fibres are made up of proteins, which in turn are made up of amino acids.

Proteins and amino acids: what about them?
Amino acids are organic compounds that form the building blocks for proteins. They are divided into non-essential and essential amino acids. Non-essential amino acids can be synthesised by the body itself; essential amino acids must be ingested by a horse through diet. Proteins a horse gets only through food. With a balanced ration, a horse usually gets enough essential amino acids and proteins. However, if the roughage contains few amino acids and proteins, or if your horse has a higher protein requirement, an additional supplement may be wise. In that case, you can support your horse with Amino Complex, a mix of various essential amino acids that help maintain healthy muscles.  If your horse has a higher protein requirement, for example if it is intensively trained, growing or pregnant, you can also choose to add extra protein to its ration. When doing so, choose a natural protein source, such as Protein Power. Protein Power consists of 100% pea protein isolate, which has a naturally high protein content and is also easy to absorb.

How does a horse get more muscle?
Unfortunately, there is no magic trick that ensures more muscle building. Instead, muscle building is the result of a combination of proper training, a ration with sufficient protein and giving the muscles enough recovery time. Indeed, muscle growth occurs when a horse is trained regularly, pushing the limit slightly each time. This is only possible when there are enough building blocks to make the muscles stronger. So it is good to remember that training alone is not enough: proteins (and thus amino acids) are essential for muscle building. By giving your horse extra support with Muscle Power, you support muscle building in a completely natural way. These pellets contain spirulina, vitamin E, vitamin C and magnesium and are naturally rich in proteins and amino acids. Muscle Power thus contributes naturally to muscle building and helps the muscles recover after exertion.

Vitamins and minerals for muscles
Besides proteins and amino acids, many vitamins and minerals are also important for a horse's muscles. For example, vitamin E and magnesium both play an essential role for supple and healthy muscles. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect muscle tissue from waste products released during exercise that can cause damage to muscle cells. This vitamin must be obtained through diet, with fresh grass being the main source. Especially in winter, it may be wise to give an extra supplement. Here, choose Natural Vitamin E as it is many times more absorbable than the synthetic variety. Magnesium is a mineral mainly known for its effect on muscles. The mineral plays an important role in signal transmission, helps muscles relax and can reduce stiffness, muscle cramps and tension. Magnesium citrate is an easily absorbable form of magnesium that can thus contribute to smoother muscles and more relaxation during exercise.

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