Electrolytes play an important role in hydration and cell function in horses. Therefore, they are crucial in our horses’ rations. However, several electrolytes are already present in roughage and concentrates, is it still necessary to provide (many) additional electrolytes to the horse? We would like to explain the functions of electrolytes and when it may make sense to supplement electrolytes.

The horse’s body consists of about 2/3 of fluids. Water is the most important molecule in this, but in addition to water, electrolytes (dissolved) are an important component of the horse’s body fluids. These electrolytes include the minerals sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. These minerals are involved in fluid balance and hydration and transmission of stimuli in the nervous system.

Perhaps the most well-known electrolyte is sodium found in common table salt. Table salt is a compound of sodium and chlorine. Another common electrolyte is potassium. However, potassium is present in large amounts in conventional rations. Thus, grass and hay are very rich in potassium but poor in sodium. Therefore, the horse’s kidneys are directed to be very economical with sodium by filtering it out of the blood and urine while (excess) potassium is actively excreted.

Most horses can adequately replenish their electrolytes from a normal diet of hay and concentrates, possibly supplemented with a salt stone. Horses that lose a lot of sweat, such as endurance horses in high temperatures, sometimes cannot get sufficient electrolytes from a conventional ration. Endurance horses, like racehorses and eventing horses can benefit from additional electrolyte supplementation.

A simple solution is to add 1 to 2 full tablespoons of salt (sodium chloride) to the concentrate feed (2x per day). With this you can already supplement the most important (possible) deficiencies. Studies with endurance horses have shown that administering electrolytes does not immediately lead to better performance during exercise. However, horses given electrolytes do drink more water during and after exercise and seem to recover better.

Studies also show that you can over-supplement electrolytes resulting in excessive sodium and chloride levels in the blood. It is therefore recommended to supplement no more than 40% of the expected loss of electrolytes during exercise. The remaining 60% lost will allow the horse to recover from its normal diet.

Some practical tips:
– If you are considering supplementing your horse with electrolytes, it is recommended to start this already at home before the competition so that your horse is used to it.
– Also make sure that fresh, clean drinking water is always available. If you want to provide electrolytes via drinking water, it is important to always provide a second bucket of pure water, without electrolytes.
– Getting horses used to drinking salt water also makes sense to increase total water intake. If horses drink isotonic water (water with the same salt concentration as in the blood), this will stimulate the total water intake, thus improving body weight and promoting recovery. As mentioned above
it is important to provide pure water in addition to the electrolyte water.
– Horses that work intensively for less than 2 hours, or work in cool conditions and sweat little, have little or no need for extra electrolyte supplementation.

In case of questions in response to this article, please contact us anytime .