Horses depend on certain electrically charged minerals to maintain the balance and flow of vital body fluids , the transmission of nerve impulses and the healthy function of the muscles and the circulatory system . These minerals are called electrolytes . Their positive and negative charges help to control the body ’ s pH ( acid / base ) balance and the transport of nutrients and waste products in and out of the cell . The minerals sodium , potassium , chloride , calcium , and magnesium collectively are termed electrolytes .
What do each electrolytes do ?
Sodium and Chloride - NaCl , common salt , is the major electrolyte of the body . Salt is comprised of two electrolyte ions ( charged particles ) – sodium ( Na +) and Chloride ( Cl- ). It is found in much higher concentration outside the cells ( in the blood and other fluids surrounding the cells ) than within the cell . The saltiness of the blood is measured as it is filtered through the kidneys . This way the body knows how much water to release in the urine to keep the concentration of salt in the blood at normal levels . When the horse becomes dehydrated and the blood sodium level is much more concentrated , sweating will slow or even stop as the body is trying to preserve the critical balance of salt to water .
Potassium - Inside the cells , potassium ( K +) assumes the role as the major positively charged electrolyte . One of potassium ’ s major roles is to keep the sensitivity of nerves and muscles at normal levels , not under or over reactive to impulses telling them to contract . This includes both skeletal and heart muscles .
Calcium - When we hear calcium , we think of bones and teeth . This is indeed a major function of calcium in the body , and most of the calcium is found within bones and teeth . However calcium in its ionic form ( Ca ++) is an important electrolyte . Like potassium and magnesium , it is critical to the normal function of muscles and nerve tissue .
Magnesium - Magnesium is probably the most overlooked electrolyte . Although found in much smaller amounts than many other electrolytes . It has a critical role to play . Magnesium functions as a co factor for over 300 enzyme reactions within the body . This means if magnesium is not present or is present in an insufficient amount , each of these 300 reactions will suffer . Magnesium is required for normal muscle function , especially for relaxation of a muscle .
Phosphorous - Phosphorous is involved in the formation of bone . About 85 % of the body ’ s phosphorous is located inside the bones in a solid form . The remainder is distributed between the blood and the interior of the cells . Inside cell , phosphorous is absolutely essential to the normal metabolism of carbohydrates , fats and proteins , as well as the generation and storage of energy from basic fuels .
Manganese - Manganese is an electrolyte you rarely hear about . Like magnesium , manganese is present in relatively small amounts compared to many other electrolytes , but it is essential to the formation of normal connective tissues ( tissues that hold your body together ), and the formation of joint cartilage .
Manganese plays a role in the metabolism of fat , the creation of DNA and the manufacture of cholesterol .
Copper - Copper is also present in very small amounts compared to the other electrolytes . The utilisation of iron to make red blood cells requires copper . Formation of the protective outer coating on nerves also requires copper , as does the production of skin pigments and the formation of healthy collagen – the major component of tendons and ligaments . Similarly , healthy joint cartilage can only be produced when there is adequate copper available .
Fluid Losses
Exercise generates a great deal of heat that must either be dissipated from the body or stored . The dissipation of heat is very important , because if a large amount of heat is stored , body temperature will rise to dangerous levels . In the horse , the processes that contribute to the dissipation of heat during exercise include radiation , convection , conduction and evaporation . Of these , evaporation may be the most important ; particularly when horses are exercised in warm conditions . To facilitate evaporative cooling , horses sweat . Sweating is certainly desirable as a means to maintain body temperature , but high sweating rates result in high rates of water and electrolyte loss .
Horses consist of approximately 60 % water , which works out to be around 270 kg of water for a 450 kg horse . Most of the water is contained in cells ( intracellular water ) but some is outside of individual cells ( extracellular water ). Blood plasma , which constitutes a large portion
Page 36 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • January • February • 2018