Electrolytes are the essential minerals found in sweat, blood and urine. When these minerals dissolve in a fluid, they form electrolytes – positive or negative ions used in metabolic processes.
There are six main electrolytes required by horses: Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium and Phosphorus. Each electrolyte plays an important role within the horse's body. Electrolytes are needed for almost all bodily functions, including fluid regulation, digestion, the acid- base (pH) status of the horse and vital neurological functions.
Sodium
Sodium works with the brain to trigger thirst in the horse when hydration is needed. It also helps the water and electrolyte balance of the body.
Chloride
Chloride plays an important role in acid base balance and osmotic regulation.
Potassium
Potassium is necessary for proper muscle function. It also plays an important role in normal muscle contraction and relaxation.
Magnesium
Magnesium is required for proper nerve and muscle function, and is involved in over three hundred metabolic processes in the horse’s body.
Calcium
Calcium is necessary for blood coagulation, cell membrane function, glandular secretion, temperature regulation, the regulation of the activity of many enzymes, and mitochondrial and neuromuscular functions
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is necessary as a buffer for energy metabolism and for numerous other cellular functions.
Sweating in horses is an essential and a primary mechanism for heat dissipation during exercise or exposure to hot ambient conditions. The rate of sweat production will reflect the interaction of numerous factors, including exercise intensity, ambient conditions, state of hydration, and the training or heat acclimation status of the individual horse.
Horses excrete electrolytes naturally through heavy sweating, in their manure and small amounts in their urine. If horses excrete high amounts of electrolytes without supplementation, there may be impacts on their health and performance. Electrolyte deficiency can lead to dehydration with its associated health consequences. Without electrolytes, the body is not capable of maintaining the right amount of fluid in and around cells. Electrolytes also play a key role in nutrient absorption, and regulation of the body’s total fluid balance.
Proper use of electrolyte supplementation can help maintain correct fluid balance in the horse when dietary electrolyte replenishment is inadequate. Not only competing and racing horses require electrolytes, all disciplines and activities should be considered when there is heavy sweating from physical exertion or stress, at times of sickness or when exposed to climatic heat.
Signs of dehydration
- Elastic skin: the skin forms a wrinkle when pulled or pinched and will be slow to return to place
- Stiffness: signs of stiffness when stretching or exercising
- Weariness: losing concentration and tired
- Loss of appetite: disinterested in eating and drinking water even after being exposed to hot temperatures
- Gums and lips: usually would be shiny and full of saliva, may appear dry, less pink or show colours such as white or purple
- Body appearance: thick lathered sweat, shallow panting and increased body temperature
There are a range of electrolyte replacers on the market that are specifically formulated to replace these lost minerals and keep your horse’s electrolyte balance in check. These are available in powder, liquid and paste form.
Value Plus Electrolyte Liquid For Horses is a concentrated oral electrolyte solution that may aid in the restoration of electrolyte and fluid levels depleted through hard work and sweat loss during racing, competition, training, travelling, hot weather or illness for horses.
Value Plus Electrolyte Liquid for Horses contains a concentrated solution of mineral salts, including citrate and glucose, formulated for dilution with water.
1L: $21.50
Prydes EasiLyte Electrolyte Replacer rapidly replaces electrolytes lost in sweat to encourage drinking, assist with rehydration, and maintain normal muscle function. This powder is high in sodium, and contains all major electrolyte minerals to ensure what is lost is quickly replaced.
5kg: $84.50
Value Plus Electrolyte2Paste is ideal for use after long distance transport and particularly for quick overall recovery after strenuous exercise. This electrolyte and vitamin paste for horses replenishes key nutrients lost through sweating, intense work or travelling.
60mL: $17.95
CEN Complete Electrolyte for Horses is a complete electrolyte for horses that is sugar and filler free. It is carefully balanced to match the proportion of electrolytes lost through sweat, providing rapid rehydration through a concentrated, high-quality formula
2kg: $54.50
Hygain Regain is a rapid electrolyte replacer formulated for horses to replace body salts lost during exercise, hot climatic conditions and as an aid in the treatment of dehydration, hypochloraemia, and alkalosis. Regain is suitable for all climates and conditions and levels of equine sports and disciplines.
1.2kg: $24.95
Kohnke’s Own Cell Salts is an electrolyte supplement of concentrated physiological salts for horses. It contains sodium, chloride, potassium, and magnesium which are commonly lost in sweat from exercise and are crucial for body function and performance. It encourages your horse to drink as well as replacing the important minerals lost through sweat.
2kg: $31.00
Many horse owners do not realise that horses require higher levels of salt, especially when sweating during daily work. Adding an electrolyte supplement to their diet will encourage them to drink and ensure any important minerals lost through sweat are replaced quickly.
