Priestrig
New User
Morning, this is a minefield and looking for advice! My horses are in medium work, both T/bred's, do I get one to add to feed, water or what - aaargh?
Electrolytes?
- Thread starter Priestrig
- Start date
be positive
Well-Known Member
I have 1 horse eventing, he sweats a fair amount when worked.
I feed salt every day and electrolytes instead the evening before and the day of each event, it worked well last season, he does drink very well so is usually hydrated anyway, so the electrolyes should replace what is lost through sweating with the salt encouraging him to keep his fluid intake up.
Some horses will not take water with them in so I feel it is easier to feed rather than give in water that they may leave.
I feed salt every day and electrolytes instead the evening before and the day of each event, it worked well last season, he does drink very well so is usually hydrated anyway, so the electrolyes should replace what is lost through sweating with the salt encouraging him to keep his fluid intake up.
Some horses will not take water with them in so I feel it is easier to feed rather than give in water that they may leave.
Oberon
Well-Known Member
SALT SALT SALT!
Free access to a PURE salt lick (a white one) plus 25g a day maintenance. More if sweating.
Salt improves absorption of calcium and magnesium as well as being a source of sodium and chloride (which horses in hard work will run out of after 2 hours).
Salt deficiency will cause low potassium as the horse will sacrifice potassium to save the salt in the body.
This thread may be helpful
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/about387.html
Regarding all the other electrolytes - to supplement they must be fed no more than four hours before they are needed, or they will be considered as excess and excreted, and ensure the horse will take in adequate water alongside.
This is feasible during an endurance ride at the vet gates but if you are just worrying about general riding - plain (cheap supermarket) salt is your friend
Free access to a PURE salt lick (a white one) plus 25g a day maintenance. More if sweating.
Salt improves absorption of calcium and magnesium as well as being a source of sodium and chloride (which horses in hard work will run out of after 2 hours).
Salt deficiency will cause low potassium as the horse will sacrifice potassium to save the salt in the body.
This thread may be helpful
http://phoenixhorse.myfastforum.org/about387.html
Regarding all the other electrolytes - to supplement they must be fed no more than four hours before they are needed, or they will be considered as excess and excreted, and ensure the horse will take in adequate water alongside.
This is feasible during an endurance ride at the vet gates but if you are just worrying about general riding - plain (cheap supermarket) salt is your friend
amy_b
Well-Known Member
I use salt on a day-to-day basis in hot weather, electrolytes when competing/hard work/lots of sweat and the night after a comp we leave two buckets, one with elects in and one without.
fact of the day - electrolytes tast sweeter and nicer when you need them. To test the theory drink a bottle of lucozade sport (flat one, not fizzy) when you are really thirsty and once when you are fully hydrated and see the difference in the taste for yourself!! The same applies to horses, if they need them they will drink the elctrolyte water because it is more palatable, if they dont it will taste salty and bitter.
ETS - they have a salt lick in thier stable
fact of the day - electrolytes tast sweeter and nicer when you need them. To test the theory drink a bottle of lucozade sport (flat one, not fizzy) when you are really thirsty and once when you are fully hydrated and see the difference in the taste for yourself!! The same applies to horses, if they need them they will drink the elctrolyte water because it is more palatable, if they dont it will taste salty and bitter.
ETS - they have a salt lick in thier stable
ILuvCowparsely
Well-Known Member
i use the scandinavian salt block my mare loves it
electrolytes i use this make its cherry flavour tho original was apple , i used this over 20 years would not use anything else i put in water bucket when we come home from sponsored ride my mare loves it
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/supplements/electrolytes/electrodex
.
electrolytes i use this make its cherry flavour tho original was apple , i used this over 20 years would not use anything else i put in water bucket when we come home from sponsored ride my mare loves it
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/supplements/electrolytes/electrodex
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