Electrolyte Primer

Does your horse need extra electrolytes during these hot summer months? If he’s sweating a lot, he probably does. Read on.

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If you work your horse in hot weather, he loses a good deal of body fluid plus electrolytes through his sweat. Drinking water replenishes his fluids, but what about those other components of sweat?

What Are Electrolytes?

Electrolytes are salts and minerals that conduct electrical impulses in your horse’s body. They control fluid balance and are essential for muscle contraction, energy generation, and almost every major biochemical reaction.

The main electrolytes are sodium and chloride (the components of table salt—sodium chloride). Others include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

Insufficient electrolytes in the body can result in dehydration, overheating, fatigue, weakness, muscle cramping, heart trouble, and more.

When to Supplement?