Horses have a much larger muscle ratio than humans, which means that their bodies produce more heat in less time. Horse muscle accounts for about 40% of horse mass, compared with only 20% for the average person. The more muscles contract, the more heat is generated, which the body must cope with. And since horses have a lower surface area of the skin in proportion to their size than humans, it is more difficult for them to get rid of body heat.
For horses, the greatest risk of dehydration due to high temperature actually comes from longer periods of work or exercise with low intensity. Because these exercises seem less intense, neither the horses nor their owners notice the graduate, but serious dehydration occurs. Cold water is important for combating heat, but since water is a diluent, only water will further dilute the flow of electrolyte with a low electrolyte content and will be excreted from the body as urine, since the kidneys identify absorbed water as an overload. To combat this, the proper use of electrolytes is necessary to maintain the horse’s health during heat and physical exertion.
Choose a good electrolyte
In science, it is said that electrolytes are an ionized part of living organic matter. In everyday conditions, electrolytes are what keeps our bodies healthy and proper. When we (or our horses) apply energy, our body uses electrolytes, and electrolytes are consumed most quickly when the body becomes so hot that it sweats. Electrolyte supplements replace those that are lost during perspiration in order to maintain the performance of our bodies until the proper amount of nutritious food and water is provided.
When buying a supplement, it is important to choose one that mimics the sweat lost by your horse. Find a product with a potassium: sodium: chloride ratio of 1: 2: 4. This simply means that for every gram of potassium there should be two grams of sodium and four grams of chloride. In addition, try to avoid fillers, as they reduce the effectiveness of electrolytes and products without them, more direct.
It is also important to choose a supplement that tastes good. Horses can be picky eaters, and, like children, do not want to swallow medicine with a bad tasting.
Identify signs of dehydration
Horses whose internal body temperature has increased significantly due to short, intense exercises or long, light and moderate exercises should be cooled with water and re-hydrated with electrolytes. While the electrolyte formula should not be used daily, their use is unparalleled after hard work, competition, or in combination with a long journey.
An easy way to check your horse's dehydration is to pinch a horse's skin. If the skin leans back easily, the horse is well moistened. But if the skin slowly descends to its original position, the horse needs special attention.
Electrolyte Administration
Electrolyte additives come in all shapes and sizes. You can buy wholesale options in the form of granules, powders or pre-packaged syringes. The type you choose depends on how easily your horse eats or drinks in hot, stressful situations.
Knowing how to manage electrolytes is important to your horse’s health and performance. If you expect intensely intense or strenuous activities, such as competitions or horseback riding, you can start feeding electrolytes on a horse one to two days in advance, during the activity itself and up to two days after. For a somewhat less stressful job, administer a dose for your horse an hour or two before starting work and after work is completed.
In general, horses need anywhere from 30 to 90 grams of electrolytes per hour of hard work, depending on their weight and external heat.
• Pellets - Electrolyte pellets are mixed directly in your horse's feed with normal nutrition. They work well if your horse is not a picky eater, and you pre-feed him with electrolytes before a big event, journey or strenuous day work.
• Powders - Powders are more diverse and adaptable than granules. Powders can be mixed with food in the same way as granules, mixed with something like applesauce or yogurt, or mixed with water, making horse sports drink.
• Syringes - compacted syringes are more expensive than granules or powders, but very convenient, especially for reductive horses. All you need to do is syringe the contents of the syringe into your horse's mouth. You can make your own electrolysis of a syringe by mixing two to three ounces of powder with a paste, such as apple sauce or yogurt, and fill a clean syringe with a good tasting solution.
It is important to never force your horse to feed. If your horse is a receiver, focus on cooling it and delivering it to a more comfortable state before trying again.
Tip: Sol Lick
For regular daily electrolyte intake, make sure your horse has regular access to salt to maintain blood hydration levels. Low sodium levels in the blood lead to general dehydration, but the problem is usually self-regulating if you just put salt in the horse's elevator.
Although electrolytes are necessary for intense activity, too many can be truly toxic. In addition, only providing your horse with water mixed with electrolyte will dehydrate it. Your horse should always have access to clean drinking water, and if at all possible, try mixing your horse's electrolytes with food or using it as a syringe to share its drinking water. Although mild dehydration can be treated and prevented by the horse owner, moderate or severe dehydration requires veterinary attention and possibly intravenous fluids.
