Feeding Collagen at Night: Cooling Down and Relaxing the Nervous System in Horses

Collagen is a vital protein that plays a key role in supporting joint health, skin elasticity, and tissue repair in horses. However, feeding collagen at night can offer additional benefits that go beyond structural support. In fact, this timing could help your horse cool its body down and relax the nervous system, leading to better recovery and overall well-being.

The Cooling Effect of Collagen at Night

When horses engage in intense physical activities, their body temperature rises due to increased metabolic processes. This can leave them feeling hot and uncomfortable, especially as the day winds down. Feeding collagen at night helps counterbalance this effect in a couple of ways:

1 Glycine: Collagen's Key Amino Acid for Cooling Collagen is rich in glycine, an amino acid known for its ability to regulate body temperature. Glycine works by improving blood flow and promoting vasodilation, which enhances heat dissipation. This helps the horse cool down after a long day, providing a calming effect and allowing for better sleep and recovery.

2 Support for the Parasympathetic Nervous System Glycine also plays a significant role in calming the nervous system by supporting the parasympathetic nervous system, the branch responsible for rest and relaxation. By feeding collagen at night, you help activate this system, encouraging the horse to "wind down," reduce anxiety, and transition into a restful state. This is especially beneficial for high-strung or performance horses that may have difficulty settling down after competition or training.

Enhancing Sleep Quality and Muscle Recovery

The benefits of collagen extend to improved sleep and recovery processes. Collagen supports muscle repair, joint health, and overall tissue recovery during rest, which is crucial for equine athletes. Additionally, collagen's glycine content is known to enhance sleep quality by lowering core body temperature and promoting relaxation, making it easier for horses to enter a deep, restorative sleep phase.

Collagen and Cortisol Reduction

Cortisol, a stress hormone, often spikes during the day due to physical exertion, environmental stress, or anxiety. A nighttime dose of collagen may help lower cortisol levels, as glycine has been shown to have anti-stress effects. Reduced cortisol levels lead to less inflammation and tissue damage, allowing the body to repair itself more effectively during rest periods.

Conclusion

Feeding collagen to your horse at night can be an excellent strategy to promote cooling, calm the nervous system, and enhance recovery. Its glycine content aids in reducing body temperature, supporting the parasympathetic nervous system, and lowering stress hormones like cortisol. For performance horses or those prone to stress, this practice can make a significant difference in their overall health and well-being, ensuring they are ready for the next day's activities with renewed energy and a calm, collected state of mind.

Incorporating collagen into your horse's nighttime routine could be the key to optimizing their relaxation and recovery—helping them perform at their best both mentally and physically.