TRRAC is a 501(c)3 non-profit program that facilitates safe retirement of horses from horse racing. We have a horse for everyone!
04/24/2025
At TRRAC, nutrition is more than just feeding—it’s a carefully structured part of every horse’s journey. Many of the Thoroughbreds that enter our program come straight from the racetrack, directly into our care for retirement and eventual adoption. It’s our job to help them prepare for a new life. Proper nutrition is at the heart of that process.
We start with forage. Free-choice hay is provided to every horse on the farm. Not only does this mirror the natural grazing behavior of horses, but it plays a critical role in digestive and metabolic health. When horses have constant access to hay, they are less likely to experience the peaks and valleys in stomach acid production that contribute to gastric ulcers. This is especially important for off-track Thoroughbreds, who are often prone to ulcers due to the high-stress environment they’re coming from. Offering hay before riding or exercise is a practice we follow daily—because it helps line the stomach with fiber, producing saliva that naturally buffers acid and reduces the chance of ulceration.
While forage is the foundation, grain plays an important supportive role. At TRRAC, we don’t abruptly change what a horse is used to just for the sake of routine. Many OTTBs arrive accustomed to sweet feed from the track, and in many cases, we continue feeding a similar type of grain. Sweet feeds are high in calories, highly palatable, and familiar to horses fresh off the track. For young, active, or underweight horses with higher energy needs, sweet feed remains a valuable tool. The key is using a balanced version with proper protein, fat, and added micronutrients to support the horse holistically—not just to supply calories.
That said, not every horse is suited for sweet feed. Some horses in our program arrive older, ulcer-prone, or with metabolic concerns that require a different approach. For those individuals, we use Triple Crown Senior, a high-fat, low-starch feed designed to be gentle on the digestive system while still delivering the calories and nutrients a horse needs to gain weight and maintain condition. Triple Crown Senior is beet pulp-based, making it ideal for horses with poor dentition or sensitivity to sugars and starches. Its texture is soft, which helps horses that have difficulty chewing traditional grains, and its formula includes built-in prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes—elements that are crucial for horses with compromised gut health. Our sanctuary residents thrive on senior feeds, especially Toy Soldier, who has metabolic syndrome and can have a tendency to become overweight quickly.
The importance of quality protein and fat in a horse’s grain cannot be overstated. Protein supports muscle development, tissue repair, and the rebuilding of a topline, which is often lacking in horses who are underweight or coming back into work. Fat, on the other hand, provides a dense and steady source of energy that is less likely to spike a horse’s blood sugar or overstimulate their behavior. It also contributes to coat condition, joint function, and weight stabilization. We aim for grains that offer 10-14% protein and 8-10% fat, depending on the horse’s age, metabolism, and workload.
Grain alone, however, is rarely enough. We rely on targeted supplementation to support specific health needs. For example, we use products to promote healthy weight gain and skin condition through added omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, and biotin. Horses recovering from intense careers often require joint support, which we provide through supplements containing MSM, glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid. We also pay close attention to hoof health, ensuring our horses receive the right blend of nutrients—such as zinc, copper, and biotin—to rebuild strong hoof walls and encourage healthy growth.
What makes TRRAC’s nutrition program different is the way we approach each horse as an individual. We don’t feed based on trends—we feed based on need. Some horses thrive on traditional grains, others need specialized formulas. Some horses benefit from fat supplements or oils, others need digestive support or metabolic regulation. Our goal is always the same: to bring the horse into balance, restore condition, and prepare them to succeed in the next chapter of their life.
What has worked for your horse? Have you found success with a particular feed, supplement, or strategy? Sharing your comments below!
