Using Electrolytes to Avoid Equine Dehydration

For heat dissipation and body cooling, a horse trotting at 11.2 mph loses about 3.3 gallons of sweat per hour under moderate conditions. The salts/electrolytes sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium are also lost with this loss of fluid. These electrolytes are responsible for the transfer of water through cell membranes, for nerves to fire and muscles to contract. Large losses of electrolytes can result in several neuromuscular and systemic disturbances including muscle cramping, tying up, synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (thumps) and systemic alkalosis.

Our goal as the equine caretaker is to prevent electrolyte imbalance and dehydration in the performance/stressed horse thru proper fluid and electrolyte replacement. Balance can greatly prolong reaching the point of fatigue and also decrease recovery time.

If you're feeding a well formulated commercial ration intended for a performance horse, the chances are good that they've met the electrolyte needs of the lightly to moderately worked horse, under most conditions (always make plain salt available). Electrolyte availability can become a problem when the rate of loss exceeds the rate of replacement. If the horse sweats for a prolonged period of time, due to extreme weather conditions (high humidity, high heat), prolonged exercise (endurance type work), heavily worked/trained horses (race horses in training) or stressed horses (transporting), electrolyte needs will not always be met through their feed. For these horses, electrolyte supplementation becomes necessary to maintain body functions at an optimum level and to increase water intake preventing dehydration. Electrolytes should not be given to a horse that is already dehydrated, except under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Horses do not "store" sodium, potassium or chloride. Adding daily electrolyte supplementation would not be necessary, when feeding a balanced feeding program, unless the horse is being worked/trained hard daily and losing a large amount of sweat. When preparing for an event, choose an electrolyte formula that is palatable/acceptable to your horse, and don't wait until the day of the competition to find out. Use caution if adding electrolytes to water due to the possibility of decreased water consumption.

There are lots of opinions about appropriate administration schedules and dose rates. Follow the instructions per the brand that you choose. Learn and adjust to your horses specific needs and weather conditions. Train your horse to the level needed for the event. Increased electrolytes will not replace proper conditioning.

Electrolytes containing bicarbonate are formulated for horses with diarrhea. These can be harmful when used as an electrolyte supplement for stress and exercise.

Feeding electrolytes without proper water consumption will cause water to be absorbed from the bloodstream into the intestine, resulting in greater dehydration. From a non-working to a heavy working saddle horse, the water intake can increase 7 ? 10 gallons/day. Check for signs of dehydration regularly and don't wait until your horse looks dehydrated to administer electrolytes. Learn to perform skin pinch, capillary and jugular refill and mucous membrane testing as well as listening for gut sounds. Continue with electrolyte supplementation when the event is completed to aid in recovery if necessary.

http://www.tdihorsefeeds.com
800-457-7577
Edna L. Morris

---

Google News Updated : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:08:57 GMT Hurricane Ike Crosses Northeast Cuba After Landfall (Update1) - Bloomberg RTE.ie Hurricane Ike Crosses Northeast Cuba After Landfall (Update1) Bloomberg - 1 hour ago By Aaron Sheldrick and Demian McLean Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Hurricane Ike is crossing Cuba after smashing into the northeast of the country with winds of 205 kilometers (125 miles) per hour, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Video: Raw Video: Ike's Harsh Impact on Turks and Caico AssociatedPress Hurricane Ike set to batter Cuba BBC News Los Angeles Times - Reuters - Reuters UK - CNN International all 4,240 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 06:56:09 GMT McCain Leads Obama 50% to 46%, New Poll Finds, USA Today Reports - Bloomberg McCain Leads Obama 50% to 46%, New Poll Finds, USA Today Reports Bloomberg - 30 minutes ago By James Kraus Sept. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain leads Democratic contender Barack Obama by 50 percent to 46 percent among registered voters, according to a weekend USA Today/Gallup Poll, USA Today reported. Convention rejuvenates GOP USA Today US campaign sharpens as McCain takes poll lead AFP Reuters - The Associated Press - KVOA.com - Boston Herald all 767 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:38:07 GMT Store eases baby bottleneck - Chicago Tribune dBTechno Store eases baby bottleneck Chicago Tribune - 19 hours ago When Georgette Finnie e-mailed What's Your Problem? on Aug. 25, she was 9 months' pregnant with her first child. The expectant mom had done some research about the baby bottles she had received as gifts through her baby registry at Babies "R" Us. Hot Docs: Defending Georgia, Girls Married by 15, the Chemical BPA ... U.S. News & World Report That Plastic Baby Bottle New York Times Food Consumer - Washington Post - Times of India - eFluxMedia all 362 news articles Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:18:53 GMT Persistence pays off for Serena at US Open - FOXSports.com ESPN Persistence pays off for Serena at US Open FOXSports.com - 30 minutes ago by Matt Cronin, Special to FOXSports.com NEW YORK - About nine days after Serena Williams lost in the Wimbledon final to her elder sister, Venus, she was still killing herself, unable to shake her mind of the errors that came late in a contest that she ... Williams beats Jankovic for title, No. 1 ranking San Francisco Chronicle Winning US Open never gets old for Serena Williams Los Angeles Times Boston Globe - Sports Network - New York Times - ESPN all 2,499 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:38:21 GMT Fla. Keys residents weigh evacuation ahead of Ike - The Associated Press China Daily Fla. Keys residents weigh evacuation ahead of Ike The Associated Press - 48 minutes ago KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) - As a ferocious Hurricane Ike ripped across Cuba, residents from Key West to the Gulf Coast watched the storm's unpredictable path, worrying it could hit anywhere in the US from Texas to Florida. 'Hurricane fatigue' shows DetNews.com Louisiana still possibility for Ike Opelousas Daily World Biloxi Sun Herald - The News-Press - Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck - Carlsbad Current Argus all 1,660 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:20:42 GMT New Zealand compromises on India nuclear deal - Xinhua BBC News New Zealand compromises on India nuclear deal Xinhua - 32 minutes ago WELLINGTON, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government said on Monday that it got the best deal it could on nuclear trade with India. Indian shares rise more than 4 pct early Reuters Indian rupee rises as stocks rally seen Reuters India Inter Press Service - Monsters and Critics.com - Financial Times - Washington Post all 2,384 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:36:42 GMT "Stand Up to Cancer" tops Friday ratings - Reuters ABC News "Stand Up to Cancer" tops Friday ratings Reuters - 31 minutes ago By Paul J. Gough NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - The industrywide "Stand Up to Cancer" telethon averaged a modest 10.3 million viewers during its hour-long simulcast on ABC, NBC and CBS Friday. In a star-heavy telethon, Hollywood takes a stand on cancer Boston Globe 'Stand Up to Cancer' Raises $100M Plus ABC News The Associated Press - Orlando Sentinel - Showbiz Spy all 164 news articles Publ.Date : Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:37:28 GMT Make Money Online RSS to HTML

PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Help Your Dog Become a Good Canine Citizen

Is your dog a gentleman or lady? If so, you... Read More

Introducing a Cat to Your Children

Are cats and children a good mix?So, you had a... Read More

Biting & Nipping Behavior Can Kill Your Dog!

Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that... Read More

Tips on Choosing a Boxer Dog...

An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More

Chinchillas As Pets

You may wish to consider a chinchilla as a possible... Read More

What Dog Owners Need To Know About Dog Crate Training

Why should you use the dog crate training method?Is the... Read More

Lyme Disease Treatment in Pets

Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More

Stop Your Dog From Pulling You Down The Street

From the first day of life on a leash, most... Read More

Tired of Vet Bills?

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More

Holistic Pet Care?From a Distinctly Christian Perspective

As a business, I've not been in the holistic pet... Read More

Training Your Dog To Sit

A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More

The Dangers of Canine Parasites

When you get a puppy, one of the first things... Read More

Home Hazards That Can Affect Our Pets

Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy - Playtime for Kitty

While dogs tend to get lots of exercise, cats are... Read More

How to Train Your Puppy to Sit

Bringing home a new puppy, ushers in a wave of... Read More

West Highland White Terriers ? Westies- A Wonderful Breed Apart

"Westies" or West Highland White Terriers are furry coated dogs,... Read More

Helping Your Pets Cope With The Stress Caused By Loud Noise

Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More

Train Your Dog With Respect

Proper training of your dog should begin when he is... Read More

Tips For Keeping Your Pug Happy And Healthy

Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it... Read More

A Look at Discount Dog Beds

Many people want to make sure their family pet has... Read More

Canine Bloat

What is Canine Bloat?Bloat refers to the bloating of the... Read More

Crate Training Dogs: The Right Way and the Wrong Way - Part One

Part1: There is Actually a "Wrong" Way to Crate TrainCrate... Read More

A Dogs Tale

My name is Shadrach, and I am a dog -... Read More

Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills?

Over the past 30 years we have learned so much... Read More

Achieving Dog Training Success With The 18 Donts Rules

A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More