Electrolytes: Readers Split on Supplementing Their Horses' Water

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[reza eslahi]

More than 850 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "Do you supplement your horse's diet with electrolytes?"
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Results were as follows:

• No: 58.50% (499)
• Yes: 41.50% (354)

Readers shared their use of electrolytes in the comments below.

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• I add table salt as the only electrolyte supplement.
• only because i am not sure she needs it. Here in SE ID. winter you can't work the horse.
• When they are competing or shipping
• Their feed and other supplements contain sufficient electrolytes for the work they do
• salt only - should be aware that other supplements the horse gets may add up to too much of somehti
• During the summer months when they are getting worked hard.
• horses make their own like humans unless worked very hard to heavy sweat, often, then i might suppl
• mostly in the summer but when ever I work my horses hard and they sweat
• i feed salt topically to encourage water consumption
• Ony when trail riding in hot, humid weather.
• in the summer
• It's winter in Wisconsin so I don't ride too much right now.
• So Fl, they get more in the winter than the summer!
• yes but not 100% of the time. We use it on/off year round.
• will supplement as needed: hot weather, hard work
• My horses do not drink enough water in the winter. My big gelding has colicked because of this.
• Somtimes when it's called for!
• at times, when it gets really hot in the summer and we are traveling or riding alot..
• when competing, and at times in the winter to encourage drinking
• Salt/Minerals free choice, supplement in stress situations
• in summer months only
• Only supplement if doing endurance rides over 25 miles.
• only if she sweats alot, especially in the summer over 100 degree heat
• I add 1 oz. salt to their feed.
• I only give electrolites when they work really hard and sweat that white foamy kind of sweat.
• They tend to drink more water with electrolytes in it
• I only supplement with electrolytes when we are riding har+ hrs in the summer
• Unless he's being ridden hard and often
• we give them electrolytes in the hot weather and before and during shows
• 1 oz salt/day
• Being in Florida - absolutely!
• Normally during the hot months when the horses sweat.
• I add salt to her daily feed
• Electrolyte Gold is the best
• just a salt block, free choice.
• during competition I give electrolytes
• in the summer heat, >100 degrees
• supplements contain electrolytes also
• only suring summer competition
• just keep trace mineral salt blocks in corrals
• When the weather warms up.
• only in extreme heat or during competitions
• I add iodized salt daily to their feed with about 1 cup of water.
• We actually just add table salt. Do not need to add the sugar that is in electrolytes.
• I monitor, as needed, both in very cold weather, and very hot humid weather here in OK
• Summertime only
• I wish I could afford it right now. But I will definitely add it to his diet this spring/summer
• When I travel from our northern state to southern states for trail rides, I frequently add them.
• When needed
• Only in the summer - really hot weather
• We live in FL and we notice that when we do not use electros horses sweat
• But not regularly, only when in work
• Only if prescribed by the vet
• Especially if being worked hard and definitely in winter to aid in water intake.
• When needed due to riding in heat and/or water not available on the trail.
• When I think they may not be drinking enough
• as indicated by a drop in water consumption
• every day I give the salt/lite salt combo, about 1-2 tbls
• Yes, only in summer. Am in Phoenix, horse drinks up to 40 gals a day!
• No they get a balanced to pasture mineral supplement daily.
• When the weather is extremely hot.
• During very hot and very cold seasons
• only during extenuating circumstances; illness, dehydration, etc.
• endurance riding
• half dose in winter to encourage drinking and full dose in summer-we are in AZ
• Only when doing hard riding in summer
• Only during the summer when we are competing
• During the hot summer months only
• I don't add electrolytes to feed but put salt blocks in stalls.
• Only after very heavy exercise.
• in the summer months
• only when trailering and when it is hot and riding.
• When riding in hot weather only
• No, I use Redmon salt in his feed. Encourages drinking and provides trace minerals. Great stuff!
• in the very hot weather if sweating a lot
• platiumun performance and or table salt
• Only if working harder.i.e.camping we ride 2Xday, in PM for better water intake
• Like to have them when travelling, and also in first aid supply cupboard.
• only when extremly hot, or working extra
• I only use them when hauling or riding in hot weather.
• MY HORSES DRINK WATER ON THERE OWN
• Salt block in the bucket year-round + electrolytes in summer. Thankfully, I have good drinkers.
• During the warmer months and/or periods of heavy training
• Not regularly, but when trail riding in hot weather.
• Seems alot of the current thinking is that they aren't needed, but old habits..
• Endurance in the South requires electrolytes. Also during a cold snap so they will drink more.
• Not worked hard enough to need replenishing.
• My mare has two salt licks and unlimited access to a heated water source
• His work is not sufficiently strenuous to require supplemental electrolytes.
• Only if weather and ride demand additional salt and minerals
• Sometimes
• Only when traveling long distances in horse trailer or on long rides during hot weather
• Only sometimes
• Just pets-no need
• Electrolytes in the summer, and free choice mineral block year round
• I use Redmond Rock. It has 60 plus minerals.
• during the warm months
• Only during the summer or when trailering
• In summer in hard work and winter when decreased water intake.
• especially when sweaty from a workout or trailride
• just salt blocks
• Only when hauling across country.
• Only after summer workouts
• Only when at fair if it's hot and they decr water intake
• i just throw in mineral block in the paddock. its the salt that i want them to get.
• Everything I have ever read (except ads) says supplements are unnecessary for a well-fed horse,
• I have no need at this point in time.
• not every day when worked in hot weather
• But I do have 12:12 mineral mix and salt block available.
• only when working hard and long put it in jello and they eat it right up
• I use an all natural electrlyte like Replenish
• My horses aren't worked that hard.
• In hot weather; and/or if the horse is sweating a lot.
• I compete in endurance competions
• but only when hot Texas weather or work load warrants using them.
• Only at Endurance rides at home we feed loose salt
• Keeps my 30 yr old horse drinking to prevent impaction
• We do give our racehorses electrolytes, but do not give any on the farm.
• only in stressful high heat/ competition situations
• only in warm weather
• In the summer only when they really swet.
• Only if very hot and the workout is extreme.
• Only during heavy work or hot summer months.
• i would if they needed them, but they rarely work hard enough to need them.
• salt block year round, electrolytes in summer heat when worked hard
• Only in the summer
• Only on a "as needed basis".
• I only have to use them in the summer when they are working hard and it's hot out.
• I use electrolytes and/or trace mineral salt along with a salt block
• I add table salt to their daily grain rations.
• I do provide a salt block free choice at all times.
• I don't ride my horse very hard. Wkly lesson, practice & twice wkly on a trail.
• usually in hot weather or after strenuous excercise
• Sometimes in the sumer if it is very hot and he has to work very hard.
• Not on a regular basis, only when it's hot & I'm competing
• provide salt block
• But they do get loose salt added to oats everyday, winter and summer.
• Absolutely - In Arizona
• Use electrolytes during warm weather months.
• On very hot days or very strenuous excercise
• in the winter, to encourage water consumption in cold weather
• Only in the hot summer months.
• my horse has a nutritionist
• Yes, i use electrolytes year round.
• on occasion during the summer. Usually give them 16/8 mineral and offer it free-range
• During spring,summer and fall months, when my horses are very active.
• not necessary for the amount of exercise and climate
• especially through the summer
• Only when very hot and horses sweating
• Year round. Makes me feel better with my horse drinking well
• in the dead heat of summer
• Use during competition (competitive trail riding) if weather warrants; just access to salt at home
• Yes but only if sweating heavily 2 hours or more. Otherwise I add 2 tblsps plain salt to grain
• just sodium chloride sometimes potassium if I think he might be heading for a problem with colic
• only when showing or performing in hot weather
• Only when she is working hard and it's very hot.
• ONLY WHEN SHOWING IN SUMMER
• But only when he loses an extreme amount of sweat
• Not unless they are working really hard in hot weather .
• ONLY WHEN SHE WORKS HARD, AND IT IS HOT
• when competing and give loose sea salt at home
• Predominently for travelling and summer work, but occasionally in winter to encourage water consumpt
• I live in GA, and give all horses a pinch year round to encourage adequate intake
• We do use VitaPlus daily.
• My horse always has access to salt and mineral blocks both in his stall and in the pasture.
• I normally provide them based on temperature and activity levels, not all the time.
• Only in the summer months.
• When horses are worked in hot humid weather and before and during travel we supplement electrolytes.
• amount goes down in winter but do this year-around!
• Use during hot summer months
• VERY rarely. Only if worked extremely hard and has sweat a lot.
• Typically only after exercise
• We use Foxden Tractgard daily
• We soak thier hay in it in the summer months here in Florida
• mostly during the summer and during the winter if I see they are not drinking enough water.
• my mules don't work that hard
• we have thbds.racing, so we feed electrolytes daily.
• orange flavor
• in hot weather
• only when necessary -- as in very heavy work on a hot day
• Mostly in summer when he's sweating a lot.
• When the weather either changes up or down 15 to 20 degrees, they are supplemented with electrolytes
• PROVIDED FREE CHOICE PLAIN WHITE SALT BLOCK ACCESS AT ALL TIMES.
• Yes, during working periods
• During summer competition
• hard work & hot weather or lots of snow to encourage drinking
• Only during intense exercise
• In frigid winter temps, I give them a half tsp loose salt w/their grain.
• Only when the weather is really hot and I want my horse to drink more H2O.
• Yes, they get Gatoraide after a workout & as a noon drink when there is a long period of extreme cold
• I live in a warm climate and my horse works hard so I supplement to make sure she gets her salt.
• only when extra is needed, like hot summer hard workouts.
• They have salt and minerals available.
• Only when I plan a fairly strenuous trail ride and know there will be water on the trail
• specifically before & during a big trip
• I live in Florida, and use electrolytes during the summertime.
• Occasionally. Depends on the circumstances, stress or work load for the horses.
• If he sweats when he works or he's at an event, he gets electrolytes.