Best Electrolytes?

[Jango]

As I'm desperately trying to get my horse (and myself!) fit to attempt a BE, I think he needs some electrolytes for the days we do interval training, he's black and has a thick native coat so sweats quite a lot. I've never used electrolytes before, what are the pros and cons for the different types? Do you see a difference with the more expensive ones? He will pretty much eat anything if that helps? Thanks in advance!

 

[glamourpuss]

I don't buy expensive electrolytes I make my own. I mix equal amounts of ordinary table salt & 'Lo salt'. I add a tablespoon or 2 to feed ( with apple juice) but only after they have worked very hard/sweated a lot.

Usually I find that most days, even after after hard lessons, XC schooling, SJ they are fine with just access to a salt lick.

 

[maccachic]

From Dr Getty

Electrolytes and salt:




SALT, NOT ELECTROLYTE SUPPLEMENTS, NEEDS MORE ATTENTION DURING HOT MONTHS

Your horse sweats more during the summer, making electrolyte supplementation worth considering. But electrolytes alone will not protect your horse against dehydration. Your horse needs to have enough sodium (salt). One ounce per day (two Tablespoons) is adequate for maintenance during cool months, but hot, humid weather calls for at least two ounces per day (and more if your horse works). One way to accomplish this, provide a plain, white salt block in close proximity. But make sure your horse licks it – many do not due to tiny scratches that form on the tongue. Even better, is to offer salt free choice by pouring granulated table salt in a bucket (iodized only if your horse is not receiving iodine from another source). You can also add salt to each meal. Mineralized salt blocks are often neglected due their bitter taste. Be aware that electrolyte supplements should only be given to a horse that is already in good sodium balance. They are designed to replace what is lost from perspiration and should contain at least 13 grams of chloride, 6 grams of sodium, and 5 grams of potassium. If your horse works more than two hours at a time, provide a dose of electrolytes after exercise by adding it to a gallon of water (be sure to keep fresh, clean water nearby).

 

[JustKickOn]

Just feed normal table salt. Does the same job and costs considerably less!

 

[chestnut cob]

I feed the Equine America ones, have always liked their stuff. He usually gets it the day before a competition, the day of a comp and the day after. He has a salt lick in the stable which he adores though is out 24/7 for the summer and in full work, so I was thinking the other day I should start adding salt to his feed. I have put salt licks out in the field in the past but they just dissolve in the rain, so am going to have to find another way. He's sweating quite a bit even during schooling sessions (flatwork sessions are reasonably intensive) so I guess as above, I will just add table salt.

 

[Leg_end]

As per the article, I add normal table salt to my horse's feed. he gets 10ml in the winter and up to 50ml in the summer.

 

[Jango]

Thanks everyone looks like it's just normal salt then, he already has pepper (+turmeric) so at least his meals will be well seasoned!! I've bought some standard table salt, do you dissolve it in water and then add it to feed or just mix in dry?

 

[JustKickOn]

Thanks everyone looks like it's just normal salt then, he already has pepper (+turmeric) so at least his meals will be well seasoned!! I've bought some standard table salt, do you dissolve it in water and then add it to feed or just mix in dry?

I just mix it in with the dry feed, and then it dissolves when we add beet.