Eventing: Optimising Regeneration After the Cross-Country Phase
There is probably no more common saying among us eventers than: "No hoof, no horse; no leg, no cross-country." When I am at the start box, the clock counts down, and my horse is almost vibrating with tension, it is pure adrenaline. The gallop across the solid track, the trust at the jump into the water complex – that is the reason we love this sport so much.
But we also know: eventing is the ultimate discipline, and it demands everything from our horses physically. When we cross the finish line, unscrew the studs, and cool the legs, the real work begins for me. The worry of whether the tendons and joints have coped well with the strain is always present. Especially the next morning, my first walk to the stable is often accompanied by a critical eye: How is he moving off? Does he look stiff? Regeneration is almost as important in eventing as the training itself.
The struggle with the powders
I used to try to support this regeneration with various little powders and supplements. You surely know the drama: you buy expensive tubs of joint powder that promise a lot. But what good is the best active ingredient if it doesn't end up inside the horse?
I often stood in the feed room in despair. Just pour it over the hard feed? Not a chance. My gelding is a master at neatly picking out his feed, while the expensive joint powder remains stuck to the bottom of the manger as a sad, dusty residue. So I started preparing mash, just to hide the powder in it. But honestly: after an exhausting competition day or a hard training session, I don't always have the time or patience to boil water and mix up a mush just so he eats his joint nutrients. And sometimes, when he was particularly fussy, he even left the mash as soon as he caught the "medical" scent. It was frustrating.
The discovery: nuvallo move Snacks
Looking for a solution that wouldn't be left behind in the manger, I came across nuvallo move Snacks. The concept sounded almost too simple to be true: a functional joint snack that looks and tastes like a reward, but is packed with the nutrients I actually wanted to feed.
No counting scoops, no weighing, no mixing in. Instead, it is simply: open your hand, feed the snack, happy horse.
Why the "snack" makes the difference
The biggest advantage for me is the absolutely stress-free administration. The daily dose is about 6 Snacks (for a 500-kg horse). I usually give them to him straight after riding or while grooming. He accepts them enthusiastically, because thanks to the base of linseed cake and rice bran, they apparently taste excellent.
What is particularly important to me as the owner of a sports horse: the ingredients are right. nuvallo move Snacks contain glucosamine, collagen, MSM, and hyaluronic acid – exactly the combination I am looking for to support cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Since my horse can sometimes have a sensitive stomach during training, I find it great that the snacks are free from wheat and corn, and completely avoid added sugars. The carrier ingredients linseed cake, rice bran, and linseed are gentle on the stomach and ensure a high level of acceptance.
An important note for us competitive riders: the snacks are ADMR-compliant. This means I can feed them continuously throughout the competition season without having to worry about withdrawal periods or positive doping tests, making them tournament-safe. That is an absolute must in competitive sports.
My observations after the cross-country season
I have been feeding nuvallo move Snacks consistently for a good three months now. They do say that you should give joint products at least 8 to 12 weeks, and that is exactly what I have done.
Of course, I cannot make any medical promises here, but I can tell you how my feeling in the saddle has changed. Previously, my gelding often needed a slightly longer loosening-up phase, especially the day after intensive galloping work cross-country. Since the snacks have become part of our routine, I have the impression that he comes out of his stable noticeably more supple. He seems more mobile and softens up more quickly.
Even after our last cross-country training, I felt that he was coping better with the workload. He seems fresher and moves with more joy, as if his "shock absorbers" are simply better lubricated. For me, it is an enormous relief to know that the active ingredients – after all, 1,500 mg of glucosamine and over 2,500 mg of collagen per daily ration – are actually ending up inside the horse and not gathering dust in the manger.
Conclusion
If you are out on the cross-country course and challenging your horse athletically, supporting their musculoskeletal system is essentially mandatory. With nuvallo move Snacks, I have finally found a way to achieve this without stress and feed refusal. It is a good feeling to do something positive for my equine partner after the work is done – something that tastes great and supports him at the same time. This is a clear recommendation from me for anyone who is tired of leftover powder in the manger.