By: Dr Rosie Alcorn BVSc PG Cert VPS Cert AVP MRCVS
When people see a bag of feed labelled “stud range”, it’s easy to assume it’s only designed for stallions, broodmares, and foals. In reality, stud feeds often contain qualities that make them equally valuable for sport horses in training and competition.
Within the Keyflow Stud Range, we offer two products: Nurture and Nurture Pro. Let’s explore why these feeds also have a place in Sport and Performance.
Nurture is a complete feed, providing energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Nurture Pro is a balancer, supplying essential vitamins and minerals without adding unnecessary calories.
In simple terms:
Nurture provides energy alongside complete nutrition.
Nurture Pro balances the diet where additional energy is not required.
This flexibility allows owners to tailor the feed to horses with different nutritional needs, whether in breeding or performance settings.
Although designed as stud feeds, Nurture and Nurture Pro offer unique advantages for performance horses. Their higher protein content, safe and efficient energy delivery, Omega-3 benefits, and molasses-free, low-starch formulation make them an excellent choice for:
Nurture - for performance horses needing extra support with condition
Nurture Pro - for performance horses needing less support with condition
Stud feeds are naturally formulated with higher protein levels to support growth and development. Protein is vital for:
Foals and broodmares – supporting skeletal growth, muscle formation, and foetal development.
Sport horses – aiding muscle repair and development in response to training.
This makes Nurture an excellent choice for performance horses building muscle through regular exercise. It works much like a protein shake for horses:
Nurture can be fed as a complete ration.
Nurture Pro can be combined with other feeds for horses needing targeted muscle-building support.
Performance horses need reliable energy, but not all sources are equal. High-starch feeds, for example, can cause digestive issues and excitable behaviour in sensitive horses.
The Nurture range avoids these problems by being produced through steam extrusion – a unique process that:
Pre-digests the feed, making nutrients more bioavailable.
Supports efficient nutrient absorption and utilisation.
Allows lower feed rates compared to traditional rations.
For sport horses, this means a safer, more consistent energy supply, supporting performance without digestive upsets or behavioural challenges.
A key feature of the Nurture range is the inclusion of Omega-3 fatty acids. While often highlighted for their role in stud animals (such as semen quality in stallions), Omega-3s also deliver major benefits to sport horses, including:
Improved oxygen delivery to muscles through enhanced red blood cell flexibility.
Better joint mobility and reduced inflammation.
Enhanced athletic efficiency, recovery, and long-term soundness.
For horses in regular training and competition, these advantages can significantly influence performance outcomes.
Many traditional horse feeds are high in starch or molasses, which can negatively impact sensitive or sharp horses. The Nurture range is carefully formulated to be:
Molasses-free – promoting better dental and metabolic health.
Low in starch and sugar – supporting digestive health and reducing excitable behaviour.
This makes it especially suitable for horses prone to sharpness or those with special dietary requirements.
By selecting the right option within the Keyflow Nurture range, owners can support the health, development, and performance of their horses at every stage of life.
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