Electrolytes for Horses

Following the recent warm weather, you may be questioning whether your horse needs to be fed any additional electrolytes. Let us start by addressing exactly what electrolytes are... 

Electrolytes are minerals which play an important role within the horse’s body – they are involved in almost all bodily functions including muscle contraction, digestion, neurological functions, and fluid regulation. The main electrolytes are:  

You will find these nutrients in many an electrolyte supplement.  

Table salt is often fed by horse owners, this is because table salt is made up of sodium chloride which can be created by combining sodium and chloride! Although this would supply the horse with the most important electrolyte, it is still more advisable to feed a correctly formulated electrolyte supplement to ensure that the horse is receiving everything they require. Salt licks are also another popular method of providing the horse with necessary electrolytes, although the amount consumed from a salt lick is not guaranteed (nor very easily monitored) so this is not recommended for horses in hard work as they may not receive sufficient levels for their requirements. 

Electrolytes are normally expelled from the body via sweating, urination and through faeces. The average horse will be able to replace what is lost through consuming hay, grass or water so will generally not require any supplementation. Horses who are in hard work, hotter climates or those who sweat more, lose electrolytes much faster and are often unable to replace everything lost. This is when supplementation may be necessary.  

Electrolyte deficiencies are usually long term, meaning that electrolyte supplements work best when they are fed continuously for a long period of time, not just on hot days or after excess sweating; in these situations, the horse is likely to simply urinate out any nutrients it is not used to receiving. 

Some indications of electrolyte deficiency include:  

If you are unsure as to whether your horse needs electrolytes, speak to one of the experts from our friendly and knowledgeable team! You can call freephone 0800 585525 or email [email protected].