Electrolytes are an important part of keeping your horse hydrated and supporting normal muscle and nerve function. Hot weather, exercise, sweating, travel, competition and illness can all affect your horse’s fluid and electrolyte balance.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are minerals including sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Horses get these minerals through their diet but also lose them through sweat. When these losses increase, additional electrolyte replacements may be needed.
When Do Horses Need Extra Electrolytes?
Electrolyte replacement is worth considering whenever your horse is losing more through sweat than usual. This might be during regular training or competition, periods of hot or humid weather, or while travelling, particularly over long distances. Illness can also affect fluid and electrolyte balance, especially if your horse has diarrhoea, a fever or isn’t eating and drinking normally.
Losses can also build up over time. A horse doesn’t need to finish one particularly hard workout dripping in sweat to need additional support. Moderate sweating over several days can add up too. For horses experiencing regular losses, electrolyte supplements may need to become a part of their daily routine.
What Happens If Electrolytes Aren’t Replaced?
When electrolytes and fluids lost through sweat aren’t adequately replaced, horses can become dehydrated and may appear tired or sluggish, have reduced appetite or take longer to recover after exercise. More significant fluid and electrolyte imbalances can become a health concern, which is why it’s worth considering electrolyte replacement before your horse starts showing signs they’re struggling.
How Do I Give My Horse Electrolytes
Electrolytes are available as powders, liquids and pastes. Depending on the product, they can be mixed through feed, added to water, or administered by stomach tubing. Pastes are a convenient option for travel or competition days.
Always follow the manufacturers directions for how much and how often to give. Electrolytes work alongside good hydration, not instead of it. Therefore always make sure that your horse has access to plenty of clean, fresh drinking water. If electrolytes are added to drinking water, also provide plenty of plain fresh water, as some horses may be reluctant to drink if the taste has changed.
If you’re unsure about your horse’s individual requirements, speak with your veterinarian or equine nutritionist.
Shop for all your horses needs, including electrolytes, online at vet-n-pet DIRECT here.