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  Discussion on Salts and electrolytes
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New Member:
coolsf

Posted on Monday, Apr 6, 2009 - 10:14 pm:

Dr. O,
I read your article on Dietary Salt, Electrolytes, and Water in Horses, but am still confused on salt/electrolye supplementation. I have a 9 yr old event horse (prelim level) mare who has access to free choice salt but does not seem to consume nearly as much as my other event horse gelding at the same age and same competition level. Both get about an hour a day training and compete regularly during the spring, fall and winter. My first question is: if i believe that the free choice salt consumption is adequate, do i need to supplement with electrolytes during intense exercize? (they are not endurance or 3-day event horses, just one or two day horse trials). My feed has trace minerals added (calcium, etc.) and so does a joint supplement that i give but neither has NaCl added. My gelding consumes a lot of salt, and drinks plenty of water. I'm afraid my mare is not consuming enough free choice salt and although she does drink, she does not drink as much as my gelding. They are both about the same size (16.2, 1100-1200 lbs). I've read that adding electrolytes on a daily basis can be harmful but also be counter-productive. I am trying a free choice loose salt for the mare to see if she consumes more. Both have their own paddocks and come into their stalls during the day so do not need to fight for their salt. Any suggestions or thoughts on the mare?
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - 9:09 am:

Welcome catherine,
Let's clear up a few issues: do your horses have a trace mineral salt block available free choice?

You should note that calcium is not a trace mineral as it is required at relatively high levels when measured as a percentage of the diet. You can read more about the daily need for minerals in horses at Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Minerals and Electrolytes for Horses, an Overview.
DrO
New Member:
coolsf

Posted on Tuesday, Apr 7, 2009 - 5:35 pm:

Dr. O,
My horses get free choice salt only. Their feed is supplemented with trace minerals (iodine, zinc, copper, selenium, magnesium, etc.) in addition to the macro minerals. I use Pennefield Enduro Event. However, i dont believe my mare is consuming enough sale, based on the consumption of the salt block compared to that of my gelding. I know that is not a scientific measurement. I read that supplying loose salt may encourage consumption so i will try that. But my real question is: do i need to supplement with electrolytes for my event horses that do moderate work and compete regulary at horse trials (prelim level)if they get enough salt and trace minerals in their diets? I have read conflicting advice on this matter.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Apr 8, 2009 - 9:53 am:

catherine, your question still confuses me a bit. If you assume, as your question posits, that they are getting adequate salt in their daily diet why would you think they need supplementation? Let me see if I can help. I think you are asking either one of two or maybe both questions:
1) Will my horses adequately regulate their daily intake of the electrolyte salts just by allowing free choice access? Answer: Yes in almost all cases.
2) Should I supplement electrolyte salts during the competition?
Answer: Depends on the amount of sweating done. While the horse will adjust intake to deal with the daily average, he may need help during times of increased salt loss is sweat.

The article deals with these two questions in detail and gives recommendations on both daily supplementation and supplementation during times of increased heat stress.

I would like to briefly revisit the idea of trace mineral supplementation in the feed. There are several short comings with using a concentrate premix as the method of supplementation:
1) There are differences between horses (though of the same size and work load) in the amount of energy required to maintain a desirable body condition.
2) Individuals horse's energy needs can change remarkably depending on work, quality of forage, and environment.
In spite of this variation which requires adjusting the amount of concentrate fed, trace mineral requirements remain about the same. To the degree that trace mineral requirements may vary, this variation is best tied to salt intake as both are closely regulated by urine output. For these 3 reasons most nutritionist believe supplementation by trace mineral block or loose t.m. salt where intake is tied to the horse salt intake may best approximate matching intake with need. I have to say though this is not a proven supposition, just seems reasonable and has worked well for many decades.
DrO
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