Get them salted!

10:31am Tuesday 1st July 2008

Expert advice from local independent equine nutritionist CLARE MacLEOD who explains about electrolytes and how to use them.

Electrolytes are body salts that maintain fluid balance.

We feed electrolytes in the form of salts, such as common or garden table salt (sodium chloride) and the constituent of lite- or lo-salt - potassium chloride.

• Why does my horse need electrolytes?

Every horse that sweats needs more electrolytes in their diet, because they are lost in sweat.

Horse sweat is more concentrated than body fluids, and horses can lose large amounts of electrolytes during exercise, especially sodium, potassium and chlorine.

• How much should I feed and when?

All working horses should be fed common salt (sodium chloride) every day, starting at a tablespoon or 19g per day for an average 500g horse in light work, and increasing with work level.

Harder working horses need potassium as well, so either use a commercial electrolyte product or make your own by mixing an equal blend of salt and lite or lo-salt (a mixture of sodium chloride and potassium chloride).

This needs to be given in the feed because it is impossible to replenish enough salt for a moderate- to hard- working horse in water (as a solution).

• What about mixing electrolytes in water?

Electrolytes are given in water to help rehydrate the horse, or replace body water loss, rather than to replace electrolyte loss.

Water containing electrolytes is more efficient at rehydrating horses than plain water.

Add electrolytes to the horse's water at a rate of 90g per 10 litres. This makes an ideal oral rehydration solution.

• The Truth About Feeding Your Horse by Clare MacLeod MSc RNut is all about nutrition. You can buy a signed copy of Clare's book at www.equinenutritionist.co.uk. Clare MacLeod is an independent equine nutritionist who is registered with the Nutrition Society, and runs her consultancy from Swindon. For more information, call Claire on 01793 722468 or email her at clare@equinenutritionist.co.uk.

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