Branch Chain Amino Acids

What are Branch Chain Amino Acids (BCAA’s) for Horses?

The branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are a group of three essential amino acids that occur naturally in protein: leucine, isoleucine and valine These three amino acids are essential, meaning they can’t be produced by the horse’s body and must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Branch Chain Amino Acids for horses are a great way to get an extra boost of essential amino acids alongside a forage focused diet.

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The Benefits of BCAA supplementation

Including branch chain amino acids in the diet of your performance horse after exercise can be an extremely important way to limit muscle soreness and preserve muscle mass.

Muscle soreness is a highly underestimated cause of poor performance and behavioural problems in horses.

Ensuring adequate protein (essential amino acids) in the diet along with careful mineral balancing and special attention to vitamin E can mean the difference between winning and losing, making progress or falling behind.

Post-workout supplementation of this product can be extremely effective in maintaining healthy working muscles. Studies have shown that a rise in blood tryptophan and the tryptophan: BCAA ratio could be a contributory factor in central fatigue.

Should I use BCAAs instead of my horse’s protein supplement?

BCAAs would not be a good substitute for a protein supplement, such as pea protein, as they are not a complete protein source.

When is the best time to feed your horse BCAAs?

We believe the best time is immediately after exercise, however, you can feed before or after – even during in some cases. It really does depend on when is most practical for you.