Horse Health
Make salt a higher priority than electrolytes
Your horse sweats more during the summer, making electrolyte supplementation worth considering. But electrolytes alone will not protect against dehydration. Your horse needs to have enough sodium (salt). One ounce per day (two tablespoons) is adequate for maintenance during cool months, but hot, humid weather calls for at least two ounces per day, and more if your horse is in work of any kind.
One way to accomplish this: provide a plain, white salt block in close proximity. But make sure your horse licks it; many horses do not, due to tiny scratches that form on the tongue. Even better is to offer salt free choice by pouring granulated table salt in a bucket. You can also add salt to each meal. Use iodized salt only if your horse is not receiving iodine from another source. As for mineralized salt blocks, horses often avoid these because of their bitter taste.
Be aware that electrolyte supplements should only be given to a horse that is already in good sodium balance. They are designed to replace what is lost from perspiration and should contain at least 13 grams of chloride, 6 grams of sodium, and 5 grams of potassium. If your horse works more than two hours at a time, provide a dose of electrolytes after exercise by adding it to a gallon of water. And always, be sure to keep fresh, clean water nearby.
This tip comes from Dr. Juliet Getty, noted authority on equine nutrition. Dr. Getty has been published internationally and is the author of the comprehensive resource, Feed Your Horse Like A Horse. Her website, www.gettyequinenutrition.com, offers access to articles, newsletters, a retail store and more. She is also available for speaking engagements and individual consultations. Contact Dr. Getty at gettyequinenutrition@gmail.com or (970) 884-7187. Dr. Getty is pleased to offer monthly tips, and requests that you credit her in any use.
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