From young horse to Grand Prix: How Diederik van Silfhout trains his horses with Subli

August 18, 2026

At Stal van Silfhout in Lunteren, everything revolves around training horses and riders to the highest level. International Grand Prix rider Diederik van Silfhout combines elite competition with the business of selling dressage horses. Every day, he works with horses of various ages and levels—from young talents to experienced competition horses. To provide these horses with the best possible care, the foundation at the stable must be solid. Nutrition plays a key role in this. 

Horse feed that suits the conditions in the stable

Subli has been fed at Stal van Silfhout for so long that Diederik doesn’t really know any different. ‘The great thing is that we hardly have to make any adjustments. Most horses do just fine on the basic feed. We only add something if a horse really gives us a reason to.” Together with Subli, a custom blend has been developed that complements the forage at the stable and meets the horses’ needs: a performance chunk high in protein.

In the past, we had to feed some horses a lot of pellets to provide them with everything they needed. We took a closer look at this and adjusted the formulation: more digestible protein, energy, vitamins, and minerals. As a result, the horses now get everything they need without us having to feed them large amounts.

Diederik on his experience with Subli

In this video, he briefly explains why the feed is such a good fit for his horses and his approach to training.

 

High-energy horse feed for peak performance

While some riders are cautious about high-energy feed, Diederik sees it differently. “We have a lot of spirited horses here, and I love that. Too much energy is rarely a problem for me: I’d rather have a horse that’s eager to work than one you have to coax into working. It’s all about balance. A sport horse needs enough energy to perform at the highest level, but it also needs to stay in good condition. The feed has to support what a horse demands of itself every day.”

A completely different horse in two months

Diederik and his wife Cindy notice the biggest differences in new horses that arrive at the stable. “Almost every horse that comes here looks completely different after a month or two. There are even owners who walk right past their horses because they’ve changed so much. They develop more muscle, become fuller-bodied, and gain a shinier coat and more presence. It’s as if the body is given the chance to develop to its full potential.”

Still, the team doesn’t just follow a set schedule; above all, they focus on the horse itself. “We feed based on our instincts: you can tell if a horse could stand to gain a little weight, needs more energy, or is already perfectly balanced. You can feel that right away while riding, too. That’s how we tailor the feed ration to each horse’s individual needs.”

A solid foundation—just fill in the gaps where necessary

The foundation remains the same for virtually all horses: high-quality performance pellets. Supplements are only added when there is a clear reason to do so. “A horse with poor hooves gets a hoof supplement; a hot-blooded horse gets some magnesium. During demanding competitions or hot days, we add electrolytes, a slobber mix, or extra muscle support. But we don’t just throw everything into the feed as a matter of course: if the foundation is solid, there’s no need for that.” Even around competitions, very little changes. “Horses perform best when you don’t constantly make major changes. We only make adjustments under special circumstances.”

Subli's kibble proves itself day after day

Subli’s pellets offer even more benefits, because virtually all horses eat the feed well: “We almost never have horses that are poor eaters, and that’s especially important during intensive training and competitions.” After years of using the same feed, we have a high level of confidence in it. “We see the results every day—not just with our own horses, but also with the horses that come here for training or for sale. That constantly reaffirms to us that we’re on the right track.”

Diederik van Silfhout's Top Tip

Diederik’s advice to other horse owners is clear: “Take a good look at your horse and don’t just change everything on a whim. A good diet starts with a strong foundation. From there, you can fine-tune what each horse really needs.”

TERUG NAAR HET OVERZICHT