As any horse owner knows, horses are some of the most remarkable animals to care for, but they also come with their own set of complexities. When it comes to electrolyte management, there are many factors that need to be considered to keep the average horse healthy and comfortable.

Maybe you jump professionally, or ride as a hobby. Either way, understanding when to give your horse equine electrolytes is a vital part of proper care.

So, let’s tackle this essential piece of horse care. Today, we’re talking horse electrolyte supplements in NZ. What are they, when should you give them to your horse, and what can happen to a horse that doesn’t receive the right amount of electrolytes?

What are equine electrolytes?

At their core, equine electrolytes are minerals. They’re the ones your horse loses through sweat, and they play a crucial role in keeping the body functioning as it should. These minerals include sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.

Collectively, they regulate important bodily functions like hydration, nerve function, temperature control, and muscle contraction, all the things that keep your horse healthy and happy.

If you think about how large your horse is and how much work they often do, it becomes clear just how essential these minerals are. Horses can lose litres of fluid during exercise or work, especially in warmer months. Along with that fluid loss are also precious electrolytes.

When that depletion isn’t properly restored, that’s when problems start to arise.

Why do horses need electrolytes?

Much like our body, a horse’s body relies on electrolytes for healthy function. But once your horse becomes depleted there are knock-on effects. These can include an inability to cool, heat stress and exhaustion, all the way to sluggish and poor behaviour to that of serious dehydration resulting in colic or even death.

Equine electrolytes really, really matter for an animal as active as the horse. Having a horse salt supplement on hand at all times helps you in a lot of ways, including:

• Helping your horse to stay hydrated.

Electrolytes help your horse retain water properly. Without them, even if your horse is drinking, they may not be staying hydrated enough without a horse salt supplement.

• Making sure their muscles and nerves work well.

Everything from walking calmly to cantering around an arena depends on electrical impulses between muscles and nerves. Equine electrolytes make those impulses possible.

• Preventing your horse from overheating.

Horses cool themselves by sweating, but sweating drains electrolytes. Without replenishment, their natural cooling ability declines, increasing the risk of heat stress.

• Helping your steed to recover fast and maintain stamina.

Horses working in any discipline (including training or racing in hot conditions, trekking or eventing) need a strong electrolyte balance to sustain performance and recover quickly.

When should you give a horse salt supplement to your horse?

So, here’s the big question: how often should you administer horse electrolyte supplements in NZ? If your horse is running low, then their whole system feels it, so electrolytes are vital.

Now, your horse might not need equine electrolytes support every day, but many need it far more often than the average owner realises. At a minimum, every horse should have access to a horse salt supplement like a lick or block daily.

Beyond that, you’ll want to provide additional electrolytes in situations where they’re losing more than usual. There are some common times you’ll need to give your horses more electrolyte support:

1. In very hot weather.

Like us, horses sweat heavily in warm climates. Even standing in a paddock on a muggy day can cause significant fluid loss. Adding equine electrolytes helps replace what they lose simply by trying to stay cool.

Some horses are fussy drinkers, especially when the weather changes or when travelling. Adding electrolytes encourages thirst, prompting them to drink more.

2. After a lot of exercise or work.

If your horse is training, competing, or trail riding, they’re sweating and using electrolytes rapidly. Replenishing them quickly after exercise supports recovery and prevents muscle stiffness or fatigue.

3. During illness, stress, or transport.

Horses can dehydrate easily under stress. Float trips, new environments, or digestive upset all increase the need for an electrolyte supplement to stabilise hydration and bodily function.

4. After signs of electrolyte imbalance.

These can include:

•       lethargy
•       twitchy muscles
•       poor coat condition
•       unusual sweating patterns
•       reduced performance
•       thicker, sticky sweat

If you notice any of these, it’s time to step in with some equine electrolytes to give your horse’s system what it needs to restore balance.

A quick and simple guide to equine electrolyte supplements in NZ. Now, all that’s left is for you to find high-quality equine supplements you can have on hand for when you need them.

We’re NPC Health, your go-to spot for quality horse electrolyte supplements in NZ.

We provide a wide range of equine products, including horse salt supplements, so that horse owners take care of their horses with science-based, nature-boosted, locally-made products.

Browse our range of equine electrolytes and other care products.