The muscular activity associated with training and competition results in a rapid increase in body temperature. The only way for horses to lose this excess body heat is via sweat production; in fact efficient muscle function is dependent on it.
Sweat also represents the major route of fluid and electrolyte loss in horses, taking with it significant amounts of water and electrolytes from the body.
Electrolyte composition of sweat
Chloride – 7gms/litre
Sodium – 4gms/litre
Potassium – 1.3gms/litre
Magnesium – .13gms/litre
Calcium – .25gms/litre
Phosphorus – .03gms/litreObviously these electrolytes must be replaced as quickly and efficiently as possible, either in the diet or by oral administration. We talk about the Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) as being the total amount of electrolytes but a standard type mixed diet is usually not enough to meet the required DEB. To demonstrate this point, consider a basic diet of 6kg Grass/Hay + 3kg Oats + 3kg Sweet feed with no added electrolyte supplement. If we analyse this diet it equates to:
Actual Requirement
Crude Protein 1200gm 1300gm
Digestible Energy 30mCals &