L&M
Well-Known Member
Any views? Last hunting season I fed electrolytes but to save money am considering replacing with salt. Also, how much/often should you feed?
Thanks
Thanks
salt vs electrolytes
- Thread starter L&M
- Start date
hellybelly6
Well-Known Member
I think if you do 1/3 salt and 2/3 lo salt, that should do the trick.
L&M
Well-Known Member
Thanks - what quantities?
hellybelly6
Well-Known Member
Not sure!
I would go for a tablespoon of salt, 2 of lo salt on hunting days and clip the horse if at all possible. If not possible triple the dose. Would also recommend putting it into a watery feed for extra hydration. To test the hydration of a horse, pinch the skin on the neck and if it pings back straight away horse is hydrated, if not, horse not hydrated.
I would go for a tablespoon of salt, 2 of lo salt on hunting days and clip the horse if at all possible. If not possible triple the dose. Would also recommend putting it into a watery feed for extra hydration. To test the hydration of a horse, pinch the skin on the neck and if it pings back straight away horse is hydrated, if not, horse not hydrated.
hussar
Well-Known Member
I feed salt to my endurance horses all year round, increasing the dose on competition days, instead of proprietary electrolytes. I've always been told the ratio should be 2:1 ordinary salt to lo-salt.
On normal days I feed a tablespoon of that mix, and on competition days I double it but split it between two feeds. I would be wary of introducing a large dose of salt in one go.
On normal days I feed a tablespoon of that mix, and on competition days I double it but split it between two feeds. I would be wary of introducing a large dose of salt in one go.
L&M
Well-Known Member
Thanks - as a matter of interest why lo-salt ?
BeckyD
Well-Known Member
I think it's for the potassium.
hussar
Well-Known Member
Yes, lo-salt is low in sodium, so by adding it to ordinary salt you can increase the potassium content but not the sodium, which can inhibit something or other (forgotten what, sorry!) in horses.
kizzywiz
Well-Known Member
I've seen this advice on the other post, it is true you can replace the sodium & potassium by using salt & lo-salt, but can you explain how you will provide your horse with calcium, magnesium, chloride, zinc, copper, vitamin e & selenium by using the salt method. Sorry, but all of these elements are required by the horse to function at his best & are contained within properly balanced electrolytes. IMO feeding plain salt is outdated, much research has been undertaken proving that balanced electrolytes are more effective.
hussar
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
but can you explain how you will provide your horse with calcium, magnesium, chloride, zinc, copper, vitamin e & selenium by using the salt method. Sorry, but all of these elements are required by the horse to function at his best & are contained within properly balanced electrolytes. IMO feeding plain salt is outdated, much research has been undertaken proving that balanced electrolytes are more effective.
[/ QUOTE ]
Most of the trace elements you list are contained in feed. Some are in the supplements we nearly all feed. But as far as 'plain salts' go, many feed manufacturers actually extract salt from their product to extend its life. Electrolytes have their place for horses in hard work, but for most riders with occasionally sweaty horses plain salt will do the job and there's less risk of electrolyting a horse that then doesn't drink enough.
Plain salt may be considered by some as outdated but it works for me and many other endurance riders, and has veterinary support too. Each to their own.
but can you explain how you will provide your horse with calcium, magnesium, chloride, zinc, copper, vitamin e & selenium by using the salt method. Sorry, but all of these elements are required by the horse to function at his best & are contained within properly balanced electrolytes. IMO feeding plain salt is outdated, much research has been undertaken proving that balanced electrolytes are more effective.
[/ QUOTE ]
Most of the trace elements you list are contained in feed. Some are in the supplements we nearly all feed. But as far as 'plain salts' go, many feed manufacturers actually extract salt from their product to extend its life. Electrolytes have their place for horses in hard work, but for most riders with occasionally sweaty horses plain salt will do the job and there's less risk of electrolyting a horse that then doesn't drink enough.
Plain salt may be considered by some as outdated but it works for me and many other endurance riders, and has veterinary support too. Each to their own.
kizzywiz
Well-Known Member
Yes you are right that some of the trace elements are found in feed, but the horse will only receive the required amount if you feed the recommended amount of the feed, & he may lose more in sweat than he will eat in the feed. Many horses will not eat well after work, or when staying away at competitions, its common for racehorses not to eat up after racing, therefore you could not rely upon the feed to supply the other trace elements. The OP did state that her horse sweats profusely after work, therefore he is not an occasionally sweaty horse & IMO would require a balanced electrolyte fed at the recommended rate. As to why he is urinating more, there could be many reasons, all mentioned above which would be best checked out. If your horse does well on the salt method, thats great, but not all will, & as I mentioned before, electrolyte imbalance can be the primary cause of many problems, lethargy, tying up etc etc etc. Good luck with your endurance, must be hard in Scotland, doesnn't it rain all the time there?
kizzywiz
Well-Known Member
Actually, thinking about it, we've hardly had a summer of blazing sun in the south east have we??
Perhaps OH & I should be moving north
