The Use of Nutritional Ergogenic Aids in Horses

The word “ergogenic” is derived from the Greek work “ergon” (work) and “genic” (producing). Thus, ergogenic aids are factors that can increase or improve work production. Improved work effort may occur as a result of increased strength, increased speed, increased endurance, etc. Many things fall into the category of ergogenic aids for human athletes including equipment, pharmacological agents, nutritional supplements and even psychological aids such as hypnosis and mental imaging. The purpose of this review is to examine the usefulness of some nutritional supplements purported to have ergogenic effects in horses. Within the scope of this paper a nutritional supplement will include compounds or elements that can be administered orally and have a nutritionally oriented function.