What Are Electrolytes? By Kentucky Performance Products

You may have heard people talk about giving their horses electrolytes to encourage drinking or to help with recovery. But what are electrolytes?

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are essential minerals that are vital to many key functions in the horse’s body. Proper equine electrolyte balance is essential and imbalances can cause problems.

PRIMARY ELECTROLYTES PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN:

• Hydration
• Muscle Function
• Cellular Water Balance

Do everyday feeds and forages contain electrolytes?

Everyday feeds contain some electrolytes, but not always enough to meet your horse’s needs. Most forages are considered insufficient in sodium and only marginal in chloride.

ALL horses should be provided free-choice salt in the form of a block or loose mineral.

Do electrolytes make my horse drink?

Electrolytes and water that are lost in sweat must be replenished. While we can lead a horse to water, we cannot make him drink, but sodium can! Supplementing with sodium and other electrolytes is critical in triggering the thirst response so that your horse will drink.

Why is drinking important?

Rehydration, muscle recovery, proper gut function, and a multitude of cellular functions depend on a horse drinking enough water to replace what was lost from sweating. When should I feed supplemental electrolytes?

A horse working at low intensity can lose between 5 and 10 liters (about 1 to 2.5 gallons) of fluid from sweating. Hardworking horses can lose up to 50 liters (about 13 gallons) of fluid! When water and electrolyte loss occur, it may well be in excess of what a horse can replace by consuming a normal diet. This is when it is important to supply an equine electrolyte supplement that is developed to provide the right amount and balance of critical electrolytes to your horses.

You can download a printable version of this infographic here. 

About Kentucky Performance Products, LLC:

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