Feed-In Electrolytes-Really needed?

Catarina Rose · 05-16-2007, 02:05 PM

The old place where I used to take camps before I had a horse would give their lesson horses eletrolytes.This got me thinking...I work Ziggy about four times a week, but this will increase to about 6 times a week in the summer. Everytime she is worked she works up a big sweat. So I was wondering....should I put here on eletrolytes? I think she'll be fine without them., but I want your opinions.

-CR

JBandRio · 05-16-2007, 02:07 PM

The vast majority of horses don't NEED electrolytes. As long as they have access to salt (loose is best IMHO) and get a vitamin/mineral supplement, they are fine.

It's the horses on the level of upper level eventers and such that often need electrolyte supplementation.

Blistering Winds · 05-16-2007, 02:07 PM

Depends on their diet, the heat, how well their body copes, how much water they drink, etc.

BettyBootsy · 05-16-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catarina_Rose

The old place where I used to take camps before I had a horse would give their lesson horses eletrolytes.This got me thinking...I work Ziggy about four times a week, but this will increase to about 6 times a week in the summer. Everytime she is worked she works up a big sweat. So I was wondering....should I put here on eletrolytes? I think she'll be fine without them., but I want your opinions.

-CR

I use Liqui Lytes! I love the stuff! Liqui Lyte (Horse - Electrolytes)

Temposmom · 05-16-2007, 03:39 PM

You can chase this around like a dog and its tail! Feed-In Electrolytes-Really needed?

http://members.tripod.com/ridephotos...nce_links.html near the bottom

Electrolyte Comparison

you probably need to worry more about heat then elytes
Endurance.Net EnduranceNet Stories: Heat Stress and the Endurance Horse: Electrolytes are not the only answer!

Unless you run a blood panel you are only shooting in the dark as to what to replace. I do not use elytes and my horse has nearly 3000 miles in endurance, many distances and speeds and all temps. Elytes have direct connection with ulcers, mouth irritation, gastric upset, and colic, you can overdose. If your horse is running acidic and you give the wrong kind you CAN really mess them up, if your horse is running alkaline-same thing...you SHOULD KNOW what you are elyteing for and why.

The best thing would be to provide free choice and fresh water.

BettyBootsy · 05-16-2007, 03:51 PM

We have one on Liqui Lytes daily as per vet due to cloicing and not drinking enough water. He's been on them forever without colicing any longer and drinking more water. We have that colt that we rescued with the kidney infection he also was put on Liqui Lytes as per the vet and he also told me to keep him on it daily thru this summer as well. I will also feed it if we have one under stress, hard training or extremely hot or cold weather. I've never had a problem with Liqui Lytes.

Temposmom · 05-16-2007, 05:02 PM

I used those too in the past, they are so LIGHT they aren't of any concern, unlike regular dosing of elytes. They are more maintain related then replacement/treatment related, good stuff.

Catarina Rose · 05-16-2007, 05:27 PM

Ok, thanks guys! Yah, Zig has full acsess to a mineral block and water.

-CR

Temposmom · 05-16-2007, 05:36 PM

Add a PLAIN white block too, it is NOT out of the ordinary for horses to prefer the plain over the mineral, and only use the mineral from time to time, or as needs require. This way they aren't forced to take in more minerals then maybe are needed. Loose is nice, if one can do it. I have TRIED, but with my set-up it ends up IN the soil, so they get only blocks with a tiny bit of loose offered. I have a mineral, selenium salt, and a plain white, the ONLY block they use is the plain white, the BIRDS and squirrels eat the mineral and selenium like candy....hmmmm????

05-16-2007, 02:05 PM	#1
Catarina Rose Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas! Posts: 528 Images: 30	Feed-In Electrolytes-Really needed? The old place where I used to take camps before I had a horse would give their lesson horses eletrolytes.This got me thinking...I work Ziggy about four times a week, but this will increase to about 6 times a week in the summer. Everytime she is worked she works up a big sweat. So I was wondering....should I put here on eletrolytes? I think she'll be fine without them., but I want your opinions. -CR __________________ Nothing in the horse world is free-exept for love and snot

05-16-2007, 02:07 PM	#2
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 22,346 Images: 138 Blog Entries: 12	The vast majority of horses don't NEED electrolytes. As long as they have access to salt (loose is best IMHO) and get a vitamin/mineral supplement, they are fine. It's the horses on the level of upper level eventers and such that often need electrolyte supplementation. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - Rio feels good - he bounced an in-and-out

05-16-2007, 02:07 PM	#3
Blistering Winds Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Augusta, Kansas Posts: 31,850 Images: 822 Blog Entries: 16	Depends on their diet, the heat, how well their body copes, how much water they drink, etc. __________________ HGS is a very powerful, addicting place that is just as bad as cigarettes, however healthier for you AND your horse.

05-16-2007, 05:27 PM	#8
Catarina Rose Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas! Posts: 528 Images: 30	Ok, thanks guys! Yah, Zig has full acsess to a mineral block and water. -CR __________________ Nothing in the horse world is free-exept for love and snot

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Electrolytes	Kitari	Horse Health	16	05-01-2007 07:56 PM
EXTREME Neglect Case + FAT Horse (Feed Advice Needed)	CowGirlUp1833	Horse Health	44	12-03-2006 09:09 AM
Should we give electrolytes?	shymare	Horse Health	17	12-04-2005 07:34 PM
Horse Electrolytes - what do you think?	Kahluasmom	Horse Health	4	02-23-2005 03:33 AM
electrolytes	Krystan	Horse Health	6	07-16-2004 12:07 PM

05-16-2007, 03:39 PM	#5
Temposmom Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 1,115 Images: 13	You can chase this around like a dog and its tail! Feed-In Electrolytes-Really needed? http://members.tripod.com/ridephotos...nce_links.html near the bottom Electrolyte Comparison you probably need to worry more about heat then elytes Endurance.Net EnduranceNet Stories: Heat Stress and the Endurance Horse: Electrolytes are not the only answer! Unless you run a blood panel you are only shooting in the dark as to what to replace. I do not use elytes and my horse has nearly 3000 miles in endurance, many distances and speeds and all temps. Elytes have direct connection with ulcers, mouth irritation, gastric upset, and colic, you can overdose. If your horse is running acidic and you give the wrong kind you CAN really mess them up, if your horse is running alkaline-same thing...you SHOULD KNOW what you are elyteing for and why. The best thing would be to provide free choice and fresh water.

05-16-2007, 03:51 PM	#6
BettyBootsy Senior Member+ Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 3,187 Images: 87	We have one on Liqui Lytes daily as per vet due to cloicing and not drinking enough water. He's been on them forever without colicing any longer and drinking more water. We have that colt that we rescued with the kidney infection he also was put on Liqui Lytes as per the vet and he also told me to keep him on it daily thru this summer as well. I will also feed it if we have one under stress, hard training or extremely hot or cold weather. I've never had a problem with Liqui Lytes.

05-16-2007, 05:02 PM	#7
Temposmom Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 1,115 Images: 13	I used those too in the past, they are so LIGHT they aren't of any concern, unlike regular dosing of elytes. They are more maintain related then replacement/treatment related, good stuff.

05-16-2007, 05:36 PM	#9
Temposmom Senior Member+ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 1,115 Images: 13	Add a PLAIN white block too, it is NOT out of the ordinary for horses to prefer the plain over the mineral, and only use the mineral from time to time, or as needs require. This way they aren't forced to take in more minerals then maybe are needed. Loose is nice, if one can do it. I have TRIED, but with my set-up it ends up IN the soil, so they get only blocks with a tiny bit of loose offered. I have a mineral, selenium salt, and a plain white, the ONLY block they use is the plain white, the BIRDS and squirrels eat the mineral and selenium like candy....hmmmm????