Performance horses — whether they're working cattle, running barrels, showing, or training at the track — burn more calories and need more targeted nutrition than a horse standing around in a pasture. After three generations in the Oklahoma equine industry, here's how we help customers choose the right feed for horses in real work.
What "Performance Feed" Actually Means
Performance horse feeds are formulated with higher fat and controlled starch levels to provide sustained energy without the highs and lows that come from feeds loaded with sugar and starch. They're also fortified with the vitamins, minerals, and amino acids a working horse burns through faster than an idle one — particularly for muscle recovery, bone density, and joint health.
The right feed depends on the type of work your horse is doing, their age, their metabolism, and what hay they're already getting.
Brands We Carry at Cook Feed & Outdoor
We stock feed from the major performance brands trusted by horse owners across Oklahoma, so you have real options instead of a single house brand:
- Purina — widely used across the equine industry, with specific performance lines for different workloads and life stages
- Triple Crown — known for low-starch, high-fat formulas that suit horses prone to excitability or metabolic issues
- Nutrena — solid all-around performance options with a strong reputation among working ranch horses
- Bluebonnet — a regional favorite for Oklahoma and Texas horse owners
- Superior Equine — our own house line, built specifically with input from our family's decades of hands-on horse experience
Having all five available under one roof means we can match you to the right product instead of pushing whatever single brand we happen to carry.
Feed Is Only Half the Equation — Hay Matters Too
A performance horse's nutrition isn't just about the feed bag. Forage quality matters just as much. Many performance horses do well on a base of bermuda grass hay with alfalfa added for extra protein and calories, especially during heavy training or competition season. If you haven't already, it's worth reading our breakdown of alfalfa vs. bermuda hay to round out your feeding program.
Common Mistakes We See
A few patterns come up again and again with performance horse owners:
- Overfeeding grain instead of adjusting forage first. Hay should be the foundation; grain fills the gap, not the other way around.
- Switching feeds too quickly. Any feed change should happen gradually over 7–10 days to avoid digestive upset.
- Not matching feed to actual workload. A horse hauled to one show a month doesn't need the same calorie density as one in daily training.
- Ignoring body condition score. The "right" feed is the one that keeps your specific horse at a healthy weight and energy level — not whatever the bag promises.
Get Help Choosing the Right Feed
This is exactly the kind of decision where talking to someone helps more than reading ingredient labels alone. Our staff includes Purina University Certified team members at every location, and between us we've got decades of hands-on experience — including running our own performance and breeding horses.
Where to Buy Performance Horse Feed in Oklahoma
All five brands — Purina, Triple Crown, Nutrena, Bluebonnet, and our own Superior Equine line — are in stock at all four Cook Feed & Outdoor locations: Oklahoma City, Yukon, Norman, and Remington Park. Browse our full horse feed collection online, or stop by and talk through your horse's specific program with our staff.
Need it delivered? We offer local farm delivery across 100+ zip codes in Central Oklahoma, or call us at (405) 350-3333.