The chief electrolytes are sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg). These minerals function to maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base equilibrium. The electrolytes exert effects on the irritability of muscles and nerves. If an unconditioned horse sweats profusely, it may lose an excess amount of electrolytes. The excess loss will cause physiological changes, causing the horse to tire easily and become reluctant to work. If electrolyte loss is not replenished, changes may continue to a point where the muscles will quiver, thumps (a type of abdominal breathing in which the flank moves every time the heart beats) will occur, and the horse may have reduced gut motility. Fortunately, most horses consume adequate levels of electrolytes in the normal diet and have access to free choice trace mineralized salt. The kidney in the horse will conserve certain electrolytes to prevent deficiencies when losses are occurring through sweat. The horse that is working hard and sweating profusely will be able to maintain his electrolyte balance provided he is fed a balanced diet, has unlimited water and is conditioned properly. Neither diet nor supplemental electrolytes will prevent symptoms if the horse has been inadequately trained or conditioned. A properly conditioned horse will sweat more efficiently, losing less electrolytes per volume of sweat. The kidney is thought to become more efficient in conserving electrolytes as the horse becomes conditioned. Use electrolytes when you feel your horse may be experiencing electrolyte depletion. This may occur even in the conditioned horse when the sum of the temperature and humidity exceeds 150. Commercial electrolyte solutions are available, but a simple solution can be made of one part limestone (CaCO3) and two parts lite salt (NaCl/KCl mix). This mix should be added at the rate of 4 tablespoons per gallon of water. It is important to offer two buckets of water. One should contain the electrolyte solution. The second should be plain fresh water. Commercial electrolytes that contain bicarbonates should not be used for the exhausted, sweating, and dehydrated horse. These types of electrolytes are designed for use in diarrheal diseases and will only aggravate the problem in exhausted horses. Many people feel their horse needs electrolytes during the summer. Provided the horse is conditioned properly and he is consuming a properly balanced diet, supplemental electrolytes probably are not necessary. During extremes of temperature and humidity, the horse may need an electrolyte solution. However, they should not need or receive the solution on a daily basis. If you feel a solution is needed, make sure the horse has a choice between the solution and plain water.

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