One of the main consequences of physical exercise for the horse is the loss of fluids and electrolytes. These losses during exercise can limit the horse's performance and, in extreme cases, compromise its health.
How important are electrolytes?
Electrolytes are mineral compounds that play an important role in the body's homeostasis. In the horse (like other mammals) fluids and electrolytes are distributed in the intracellular and extracellular compartments, whose volume and composition maintenance is essential for the different metabolic processes fundamental to life to take place.
Electrolytes, being ionized molecules, are responsible for osmoregulation. They are also fundamental in acid-base balance, transmission of nerve impulses and muscle contraction.
Are electrolyte losses from sweating significant?
Yes, there is a potential for significant losses of electrolytes and fluids during physical activity, particularly when it is intense, prolonged and/or practiced in challenging atmospheric conditions (high temperatures and relative humidity).
Sweating constitutes, in the horse, the main means for the active dissipation of heat. Thus, the heat generated by muscle activity stimulates thermoregulation mechanisms, increasing sweating, which leads to significant losses of chlorine, sodium and potassium and smaller losses of calcium and magnesium (among other minerals that can be identified in sweat and suffer minimal losses. ).
So when should I add electrolytes to my horse's diet?
A horse that performs light physical activity and has an adequate diet, which includes good quality forage in the necessary quantity, as well as a balanced concentrate feed, already receives some electrolytes through the diet. The horse's needs for potassium, calcium and magnesium must, from the outset, be met. The sodium and chlorine provided by the diet may not be enough to meet the horse's needs for these minerals.
In general, concentrated foods contain minimal amounts of sodium chloride (in order to favor the preservation of these foods). For the above reason, a free access salt stone should be made available, allowing the horse to guarantee the necessary supply of sodium chloride.
It should also be noted that the intake present in the large intestine functions as an important reservoir of electrolytes for the healthy horse. However, whenever there are severe sweating losses, this reservoir may not be sufficient to replace the losses.
Thus, supplementation with electrolyte formulations is necessary in horses undergoing more significant physical activity and during long transports, particularly if in adverse weather conditions.
REHIDRAMAX
