occurring (e.g. during/post exercise)
or shortly after to replenish the loss.
of the horse’s blood volume, is
an important component of the
extracellular water pool. When
horses sweat, some of the water in
sweat is obtained from the plasma
volume. Consequently, if sweat losses
are large, the plasma volume may
decrease. A reduction in plasma
volume (and thus total blood volume)
may affect the ability of the horse
to maintain adequate blood flow to
muscles during work. Progressive
dehydration may also result in a
reduction in sweating rate and thus
an increase in body temperature.
This is why electrolytes are so
important in the horse.
electrolyte losses (sweating,
exercise, humid tropical conditions
or disease) the benefit of these
supplements is questionable. If
your horse sweats, an electrolyte
In the winter months, there is
no question that offering room-
temperature water during the
cold can increase a horse’s daily
water intake. Keeping a horse’s
water intake normal during the
winter months may help reduce the
incidence of impaction type colic.
Contrary to popular belief horses
do still sweat in the winter time
this sweating can be exacerbated if
the horse has a thick winter coat.
Electrolyte supplementation should
commence whenever sweating
becomes a frequent (near-daily)
occurrence. Don’t wait for sweat
to saturate a horse’s coat before
beginning supplementation. If your
horse’s winter coat is damp after
Electrolyte Losses
Equine sweat is relatively high in
sodium, chloride and potassium.
When horses lose large volumes
of sweat, they lose considerable
quantities of these electrolytes. The
following table provides estimates of
the sodium, chloride, and potassium
losses that might be experienced by
horses in various activities, given the
weight losses listed earlier.
Large losses of electrolytes can
result in several neuromuscular and
systemic disturbances including
muscle cramping, tying up,
synchronous diaphragmatic flutter
(thumps) and systemic alkalosis.
Horses with large electrolyte losses
may also have reduced sweating
rates and therefore a reduced ability
to manage body temperature.
Electrolyte Supplements
Generally if a horse is eating a
balanced diet and is not experiencing
supplement can be beneficial, but it
is important to remember that the
electrolytes are not stored in the
body, so if they are administered
when the electrolytes are in balance,
the body most likely will view them
as an excess, and the kidneys will
get rid of them. It is important to
give electrolytes while the loss is
riding, the horse is probably sweating
sufficiently for an electrolyte
supplementation to be added. The
most appropriate way to choose a
product is to compare the electrolyte
content of the supplement to the
electrolyte content of sweat such
as HYGAIN REGAIN.
If you have any further questions
with regards to electrolytes
please contact HY GAIN FEEDS on
1300 HYGAIN (494246) or your
veterinarian.
January • February • 2018 • The Australian Quarter Horse Magazine • Page 37