Posted: 12th June 2018 | Back to news feed
COULD YOUR HORSE BENEFIT FROM SALT AND/OR ELECTROLYTES?
The main electrolytes are sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg).
Salt is a mixture of two electrolytes (Sodium and Chloride, chemical formula NaCl).
Electrolytes are required for almost all bodily functions including thirst & hydration control, nerve function, digestion and muscle contraction.
Signs of electrolyte deficiency or imbalance can include....
Reduced thirst
Poor performance
Slow recovery after exercise
Muscle problems (such as tying-up)
Reduced sweating
Increased risk of fracture
“thumps” or synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF).
(Thumps is most common in endurance horses but can occur in any horse, especially large horses and horses working hard in warmer weather e.g. racehorses, dressage horses, showjumpers and eventers).
Electrolyte related problems tend to occur most commonly from May through to October because for a few months the kidney can usually compensate for deficiency or imbalance.
Horses cannot make electrolytes and must get them from their diet. Electrolytes that are eaten or drunk may pass out in faeces (not all are taken up) or be absorbed into the body. Electrolytes are lost daily in urine and sweat.
Horse diets (grass, hay, haylage, cereals, etc) are high in potassium and low in sodium.
Almost all horses require some additional sodium. For a 500kg horse, 1 x 25ml scoop of ordinary table salt per day is usually sufficient.
For horses in a work, on top of the salt a balanced complete electrolyte should be fed according to the level of work and the weather.
Horses should receive the same amount EVERY DAY in FEED not just on harder exercise days or warm days or a few days before a competition. The kidney works out what is needed and gets rid of any excess in the urine.
Salt licks or blocks are not a reliable way to provide salt to horses. Studies show horses are NOT able to self-regulate their salt intake from salt licks/blocks.
If you want to read more on this topic then see this article: http://davidmarlin.co.uk/…/a-simple-guide-to-why-and-how-t…/
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