Is your horse working up a sweat in this heat? Then add electrolytes to its diet!

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Horses lose a lot more electrolytes through sweat compared to humans. This is why it is important to keep a close eye on the electrolyte balance after heavy training or during multi-day shows. In this blog we will discuss the following points:

Why does a horse sweat?
What are the functions of electrolytes and what are the consequences of electrolyte loss?
When should I feed my horse electrolytes?
What supplements are available?

Why does a horse sweat?

The temperature at which an unclipped horse feels the most comfortable is between -5 and 15 degrees (also known as the thermo-neutral zone). So when the outside temperature rises above 15 degrees a horse has to make more effort to maintain his body temperature, especially during training. By sweating, a horse loses its excess heat. But what does sweat consist of? Sweat consists of water and body salts also called electrolytes. The most common electrolytes are:

Sodium
Potassium
Chloride
Calcium
Magnesium

What are the functions of electrolytes and what are the consequences of electrolyte loss?

Electrolytes are very important for hydrating the body, as sodium binds to water and thus ensures that the whole body is hydrated. Electrolytes are also important for good muscle function and allow muscles to contract and relax (Potassium and Magnesium). If horses have a shortage of electrolytes, they are less able to absorb and retain fluid and they are risking dehydration and overheating. Muscle cramps can also occur, which can eventually lead to tying-up and exhaustion.

When should I feed my horse electrolytes?

With average training under normal circumstances (not extremely hot, high humidity or extreme cold) a horse of 500kg loses 5 to 7 litres of sweat. By average training we mean an hour training in which you mainly trot and canter. In these circumstances, a horse can supply itself in its electrolyte needs through a horse lick and the low concentration in its dry feed and hard feed. When you do an average training in high temperatures and high humidity, he can lose 10-12 litres of sweat. Under these circumstances, a horse cannot supply itself in its electrolyte needs by eating/ drinking his daily ration and therefore it’s wise to feed him electrolytes immediately before or immediately after riding. This also applies to horses that have to preform heavy in a short period of time, for example during multi-day competitions. There is no point in adding electrolytes to the daily feed because there is no shortage at that time. The horses’ body will drain the electrolytes and they will leave the body through urine. Your horse will not benefit from it and it will be a waste of your money! The pie chart below shows how many grams of electrolytes a horse loses per 1L of sweat.

What supplements are available?

There are many brands that sell electrolytes as a supplement. They come in liquid form, powder form and in the form of a paste. But which ones do you use when and at what time? Below we will discuss all forms.

Liquid Electrolytes

Liquid electrolytes are usually given over the feed and are generally absorbed more quickly than the powder form. If your horse accepts it, you can also give the liquid electrolytes directly into his mouth with a syringe and give it directly before training. If not, just put it over his feed after training. From both NAF and CAVALOR we have liquid electrolytes in our assortment.

Electrolytes in powder form

Like liquid electrolytes, electrolytes in powder form are given mainly over the horses’ feed directly after training. We have electrolytes in powder form from 4 different brands:

Energy shots

NAF and CAVALOR both sell electrolytes in the form of an energy shot. These are syringes with an electrolyte paste that provide an extra energy boost prior to heavy exercise where a horse will lose a lot of electrolytes. This is mainly used for horses that preform on a high level shows and training.