When horses exercise, their muscles generate heat rapidly. Sweating is the primary way they cool down, which is essential for proper muscle function. Sweat contains a lot of water and electrolytes, which are minerals that help with muscle and nerve function. Losing too much water and electrolytes through sweat can lead to problems like muscle cramps or tying up. If these losses aren't replaced, the horse's ability to sweat and cool down effectively decreases. It's kind of ironic that when horses sweat and lose sodium, they also lose their thirst, so they may not feel like drinking water, which worsens dehydration. In such cases, quick replacement of electrolytes is necessary, ideally using chelated actives, which are absorbed faster than regular salts and minerals. Products like Ionique have been developed to address this issue.
Just providing a salt lick isn't enough because horses can't regulate their electrolyte intake on their own. Some horses may consume too much, while others may not get enough. Horses don't instinctively know how much they need, so it's up to humans to help them stay balanced.
When Do Horses Need Electrolytes?
When a horse is lightly exercised or simply resting in a field, it might not require additional supplementation, especially if the weather isn't excessively hot and the horse isn't sweating under its cover or feeling stressed and running around – in other words, not sweating at all. However, sweating, whether due to training, competition, or hot weather, creates a need for proper electrolyte supplementation. The harder the work or the hotter the conditions, the greater the need for supplementation. So, when the workload increases, such as during riding sessions, the owner must provide the correct electrolyte supplement. The combination of intense work and hot weather increases this need, requiring a high-performance formula, particularly on hot days. In less intense conditions, a horse can maintain balance with a daily supplement of a standard formula added to its feed. Horses suffering from gastric illnesses that cause diarrhea will require electrolytes to prevent dehydration caused by water loss from the gut.
Salts and minerals are essential for maintaining the health of horses on a daily basis. The more demanding the activity, the more supplementation is needed. This applies not only to fast-paced sports like racing or eventing but also to all riding disciplines, particularly in hot weather. It's crucial to understand what sweat contains, what is lost, and to carefully consider what you use to replace these losses.
Potassium deficiency is uncommon in diets mainly consisting of grass and hay. However, as a horse's workload increases, its need for daily electrolyte supplementation also increases. This is because horses don't store sodium, potassium, or chloride from one day to the next. Therefore, electrolyte levels should be adjusted based on the horse's activity level and environmental conditions. Working in hot weather leads to more sweating and thus a greater need for electrolyte replacement. Conversely, when a horse is not working, it requires less supplementation. Over-supplementation can lead to increased water intake and urine loss.
An ideal electrolyte supplement should contain chloride and sodium in a ratio of about 2:1, along with low levels of calcium and magnesium. Horses naturally excrete excess potassium, as their kidneys are adapted to handle high-potassium, low-sodium diets without harming their physiology. Equine physiologists no longer see the need for acidic or alkaline electrolyte supplements. The horse's kidneys regulate its acid-base balance effectively, provided there is enough chloride in the diet.
It's challenging to assess a horse's electrolyte status through a blood test alone; both blood and urine samples need to be analyzed simultaneously, with guidance from a veterinarian. Look for a comprehensive electrolyte supplement that covers basic needs for normal work and warm weather, adjusting the dose as necessary based on workload and temperature. For high-demand situations like intense work or hot days, consider using a formula with higher levels of electrolytes, such as Ionique.
Always ensure that the products you use have a neutral pH and contain the correct amounts of all necessary salts and minerals in the proper ratios.
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