Horse Supplements: Electrolytes

Even at rest, a horse drinks about ten gallons of water a day. Under stress or during heavy training, your horse may not take in all the fluids that she needs. Adding electrolytes to your horse's diet will maintain the balance and flow of vital body fluids, the transmission of nerve impulses, and the healthy function of the muscles and the circulatory system. Because some electrolytes such as sodium and chloride are in short supply in hay and grain, it is important to provide supplemental electrolytes.

Check the label carefully. Look for chloride and/or acetate combinations such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride or calcium acetate, potassium chloride; these are quickly and easily absorbed. Avoid products that use di-calcium phosphate (which horses don't absorb very well) and those that list sugar, dextrose or corn syrup as the first ingredient.

Important: Electrolytes containing bicarbonate are formulated for horses with diarrhea. These can be harmful when used as an electrolyte supplement for stress and exercise.

Your horse needs supplemental electrolytes whenever she's under unusual stress. This may include:

Long trailer rides (of one hour or more) or if the weather is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or hotter.

When she works in conditions — heat plus high humidity — that make it more difficult for her to dissipate body heat. Electrolytes can help prevent equine heat stress.

When she sweats profusely.

When she works harder or longer than she's accustomed to.

Add the supplements to the feed instead of the water, since your horse may not take in enough water to make the supplementation effective. Additionally, if your horse doesn't like the taste, she may drink even less water than normal, causing potentially dangerous equine dehydration.

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