When it comes to electrolyte management, there are many factors that need to be considered to keep your horse healthy and hydrated.

Whether you are a happy hacker or a competitive rider – understanding when to give your equine electrolytes is a vital part of essential care.

So, let’s tackle this essential element of horse care. Today, we’re covering 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 enough electrolytes?

What are equine electrolytes?

Equine electrolytes are minerals or often referred to as salts. They are what your horse loses through sweat and play a crucial role in keeping the body functioning as it should. Electrolyte 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 hydrated, healthy and happy.

If you think about the size of your horse 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 conditions. Along with that fluid loss are electrolyte salts.

When that depletion isn’t properly restored, problems arise, some can be catastrophic.

Why do horses need electrolytes?

Much like our body, a horse’s body relies on electrolytes for healthy function. But when your horse is depleted, there are knock-on effects. This can include the inability to cool leading to heat stress and exhaustion, sluggish and poor behaviour or that of a serious dehydration, colic or even death!

Equine electrolytes really matter! for an animal as active as the horse. Having a horse salt supplement on hand at all times helps your horse, 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 depends on electrical impulses between muscles and nerves. Equine electrolytes make these 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 in hot conditions) need a strong electrolyte balance to sustain performance and recover quickly.

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

 So 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.

Your horse may not need equine electrolytes every day, however, many need it more than the average owner realises. At a minimum, every horse should have access to a horse salt supplement like a lick or block daily and at least 1 tablespoon of salt in the feed daily to replenish low pasture sodium.

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

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. Although plenty of fresh plain water should always be offered after administering and where the horse has access at all times.

2. After a lot of exercise or work.

If your horse is training, competing, or hacking out, 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.

This is a quick and simple guide to equine electrolyte supplements in NZ. To find high-quality equine electrolyte supplements you can have on hand for when you need them contact NPC Health.

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 can trust science-based and formulated, nature-boosted, locally made products.

Browse our range of equine electrolytes and other care products.