I bought an OTTB and we are in the middle of a hot humid summer. She has a plain salt block in her stall but she sweats more than any horse I have owned. Completely dripping after flatting (she is working during her flatting). She is getting 2 scoops of a banana flavored electrolyte whose name escapes me in addition to her salt block. I want to make sure I am doing enough but not overdoing. Anyone have a profuse sweater? What are you using? This electrolyte I am using was a freebie from someone whose horse wouldnāt eat it. I noticed she is using her salt block more. I should add she is on free choice alfalfa and 6-8 pounds a day of Ultium.
I would think if she is eating the reccomended amount of her electrolyte, she should be fine. Plus, she has access to the block should she need more.
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I have a āprofuse sweaterā as well. Iād be looking at actual quantities of the salts/minerals we consider electrolytes. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride, calcium, and phosphorus. Find out how much your horse is getting daily and see what the requirements are. Remember, that not all days are equal. Your horse will work harder on some days, and not others. Supplemented electrolytes really should be following workload (which includes pasture time).
I will give paste electrolytes on days were itās uncharacteristically hot and humid, and I supplement after rides that produce sweat with 2 scoops of Uckeleās ProLyte pellets, 1 scoop on the days we donāt work hard, but she is still pulled out to ride. Her diet is balanced and should be taking care of her requirements on the days she is not worked.
Salt block alone is not sufficient in hot weather. And sadly most of the flavored āelectrolyteā products contain more sugar and flavor than active ingredients. The alfalfa likely provides more than enough calcium for her needs, even with profuse sweating. But she may need more sodium, potassium, and possibly magnesium.
My guys (living out in Florida) get a tablespoon of iodized table salt in their feed twice a day. They have white and Himalayan blocks, and vary as to which they use more. Iāve tried putting loose salt out free choice, but gave up as nobody ate much, and the container kept filling up with rain water making a mess.
For heavy work, I supplement with a āpureā electrolyte product, usually Enduramax (because I have one who needs the extra calcium it contains) or Perfect Products electrolyte powder. Neither one has sugar or flavor added. They either get mixed into a wet mash of pellets/beet pulp/grain or mixed in apple sauce for dosing with a syringe. Important to note that electrolytes should not be given to a horse that isnāt drinking wellāthey do not āmake the horse drinkā, they just make the dehydration worse.
Another option, if your management situation allows, is to put a second bucket or tub of water out, that has salt added to make a brine. Roughly handful of salt per 5 gallons of water, though good to start with less if the horse isnāt keen. This must always be in addition to clean fresh unadulterated water, so they have a choice.
Endurance folks tend to have the best knowledge of electrolyte needs and use. AERC.org has a number of articles on the subject under the āeducationā tab, that are accessible to non-members.
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I just got to attend a great electrolyte clinic/ talk with Dr Pam Karner (she has won the Gaucho Derby, been a Mongolian Derby participant, manages the Vermont Moonlight 100, etc.- aka she knows A LOT about electrolytes)
Anyway, she confirmed what I had heard previously that salt blocks are designed for cows and that horses need loose salt. I personally choose to add it to their feed. Mine all get 1 oz daily or up to 2 oz if itās really hot. For horses working hard, Enduramax and Smart Pakās electrolyte pellets are very similarly formulated for the correct balance of sodium chloride, potassium and magnesium. The Smart Pak ones come in a pelleted version which are amazingly super palatable. I wouldnāt worry too much about having one with calcium if you horse is getting a small amount of alfalfa daily (however a large amount of daily alfalfa can actually interfere with the body being able to use the calcium).
I found this elyte article pretty good too
https://ker.com/equinews/pass-the-salt-endurance-horses-and-electrolytes/
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I also put loose iodized salt in their feed twice daily and leave loose salt in a feed bin at the back of the shelter so it stays dry. Most days the salt in their feed is enough, but they do occasionally eat the loose salt. Before I started putting salt in their feed, all 4 horses would eat from the salt bin after finishing their grain.
I put 2 tbsp salt in my horseās feed daily, year round, and add electrolytes before and after heavy sweating events (training or competition). My horse is not a heavy sweater at all.
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FYI I am sponsored by this brand, and I am not a veterinarian nor do I have an equine nutrition background.
I have been sent a new product by one of my sponsors, Vitalize. They have created a product called Blazin that in addition to providing salt & minerals, aims to support blood flow and recovery.
In my elementary education of the body, my understanding is the blood system helps regulate our own body temperature. So, by ensuring this system is running correctly, the body can regulate temperatures better. Iām presuming this isnāt the primary product to give a horse who isnāt sweating, in an anhidrosis case contact your veterinarian. Because this product does contain salts & minerals, the brand has told me that it can replace the electrolyte supplement I fed before. I would recommend it for a horse in strenuous work, working in a warmer climate, or in conjunction (with) the treatment/medication of a horse who isnāt sweating properly. On the latter, consult your veterinarian.
You can find it here, this is an affiliate link so I do make a commission off the purchase.
https://rstyle.me/+qIwUPPBubYsNbLGjh8Skmg
