Best electrolytes for horses: why and how to feed

Are you confused about the best electrolytes for horses, why they are important and how to ensure your horse has the right levels? Or are you looking for the best electrolyte product for your horse? Then we are here to help.

Electrolytes are commonly fed to horses, particularly in the summer months, but in order to get the best out them, choose the right one and know how to feed them, it’s important to understand how they work.

What are electrolytes?

Electrolytes are minerals dissolved in the blood and tissues of the body, which carry a positive or negative charge and can bind with another ion to make a “salt”. They help to preserve the correct balance of fluids in the body’s cells and are involved in muscle function and the processing of wastes. Deficiencies cause dehydration, impaired performance and may exacerbate clinical problems such as azoturia.

The main electrolytes are:

Sodium (Na⁺)
Chloride (Cl⁻)
Potassium (K⁺)
Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
Calcium (Ca²⁺)

Horses lose electrolytes daily through sweating, in urine and faeces. These losses can normally be replaced in the diet. Horses rely on sweating to control body temperature during exercise and it is generally accepted that 90% of a horse’s weight loss after exercise is due to sweating. It is important that this weight loss is monitored and the fluid and electrolyte losses replaced, otherwise poor performance will result.

During periods of exertion such as competition and training, electrolyte losses can be considerable, particularly during hot weather. Even under normal exercise conditions, a 500kg horse could lose 10 litres of sweat during two hours of exercise.

Signs of electrolyte deficiency in horses include:

Dull coat
Sunken eyes
Depression
Listlessness
Poor performance
Dark urine

How to provide electrolytes

The horse’s body cannot retain water without the presence of electrolytes, so simply offering water after exercise, while important, will not fully rehydrate your horse. Electrolytes should be added to either the water or the feed.

Adding electrolytes to water to form an isotonic solution (a solution that contain the same electrolyte concentrations as that of the body fluids) will ensure that both fluid and electrolyte losses are replenished and the horse becomes quickly rehydrated. However, after prolonged sweating it will take several days of electrolyte supplementation to completely replenish losses.

Alternatively, if your horse is a poor drinker or there is no opportunity to replace fluid losses during the competition, electrolytes may be fed alongside a small amount of concentrate feed. Electrolyte pastes are also available. However, a large single dose can cause the horse to absorb water from the blood vessels surrounding the gut and actually worsen the effects of dehydration in the short term.

Sodium chloride (table salt) can be made available for the horse ad lib in the form of a salt lick, but intake should be monitored, particularly in hot weather, as evidence has shown horses do not naturally self regulate their intake. Alternatively feeding a tablespoon of table salt daily will ensure you horse receives sufficient sodium chloride.

Giving electrolytes to competition horses

The electrolytes most commonly used in supplements – sodium chloride, calcium carbonate and potassium chloride – are not included in the FEI Clean Sport prohibited substances list. Neither are other common ingredients, such as sodium bicarbonate or glucose. Simple electrolyte supplements should, therefore, be safe for use in competition horses. However, it is advisable to check the label of any supplement or ask the manufacturer. For the full list of banned substances visit feicleansport.org

Electrolytes for horses: what are your options?

Here is a selection of the best electrolytes for horses on the market…

NB: Cost per day has been calculated using the maintenance measure for a 500kg horse in light work (where there was variation) and the RRP of the smallest available tub. Some products require you to feed more with a higher workload, which will increase the cost per daily measure, while buying a larger tub will likely decrease it – these costs per day are a guide only.

Equine America Apple Lytes

Carefully formulated to replace the key electrolytes and encourage drinking to help prevent dehydration. They are highly palatable and should be mixed in feed. Also available as a syringe paste.

View Equine America Apple Lytes at amazon.co.uk
View Equine America Apple Lytes at viovet.co.uk
View Equine America Apple Lytes at equine-america.co.uk
View Equine America Apple Lytes at gsequestrian.co.uk

Equine Products UK Everyday Electrolyte

Formulated for long-term daily use, this product assists with the movement of glucose to cells for energy metabolism as well as replacing electrolytes.

View Equine Products UK Everyday Electrolyte at viovet.co.uk

NAF Electro Salts

Electro Salts is a concentrated combination of the essential plasma salts combined with dextrose to aid efficient absorption. It should be fed following exertion, after heavy sweating or during periods of very hot weather, and can be given in the feed or dissolved in water.

View NAF Electro Salts at amazon.co.uk
View NAF Electro Salts at viovet.co.uk
View NAF Electro Salts at gsequestrian.co.uk

Dodson & Horrell Electrolytes

These balanced and flavoured electrolytes are easy to incorporate into an existing diet on days when a little extra replenishment is needed for a better recovery.

View Dodson & Horrell Electrolytes at viovet.co.uk
View Dodson & Horrell Electrolytes at amazon.co.uk
View Dodson & Horrell Electrolytes at gsequestrian.co.uk

Science Supplements Complete Electrolytes

This palatable and balanced electrolyte is gentle on the stomach and uses microencapsulation technology to ensure it reaches the small intestine, where electrolyte uptake is optimal, before dissolving. Also available as a syringe paste.

View Science Supplements Complete Electrolytes at amazon.co.uk
View Science Supplements Complete Electrolytes at viovet.co.uk
View Science Supplements Complete Electrolytes at gsequestrian.co.uk

TopSpec Electrolytes

This high-salt formula is flavoured with wild fruit berries and should be fed in addition to any salt already in the diet. It’s recommended that you divide the daily amount equally between feeds, and that it’s used for at least two days after sweating.

View TopSpec Electrolytes at amazon.co.uk
View TopSpec Electrolytes at viovet.co.uk
View TopSpec Electrolytes at gsequestrian.co.uk

Nettex Equine Electrolyte Maintenance Liquid

This is rapidly absorbed to replace vital salts required for recovery and maintaining stamina. The peppermint-flavoured powder can be added to water or feed after sweating, during hot weather, exercise or in times of stress.

View Nettex Equine Electrolyte Maintenance Liquid at viovet.co.uk
View Nettex Equine Electrolyte Maintenance Liquid at amazon.co.uk
View Nettex Equine Electrolyte Maintenance Liquid at gsequestrian.co.uk

Horse First Heavy Sweat

This balanced electrolyte supplement is free from glucose and fillers. Also available as a syringe paste.

View Horse First Heavy Sweat at viovet.co.uk
View Horse First Heavy Sweat at amazon.co.uk
View Horse First Heavy Sweat at gsequestrian.co.uk

Aviform Electroform EQ Equine Electrolytes

This fast-acting electrolyte contains the optimum ratios of sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium, calcium, MSM, glucose and vitamin C. It’s described as easy to use and palatable, and can be administered in water or feed.

View Aviform Electroform EQ Equine Electrolytes at amazon.co.uk

Baileys Aqua-Aide

This provides the optimum balance of sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium. It also contains dextrose for palatability and improved absorption. It can be given in water or wet feed, beet or chaff, whenever your horse sweats.

View Baileys Aqua-Aide at amazon.co.uk
View Baileys Aqua-Aide at ebay.co.uk

Cavalor Electrolyte Balance

This supplement contains the vital salts as well as some important B vitamins. It also includes essential amino acids and sugars that provide energy and promote the absorption of electrolytes. It can be given in a feed or dissolved in drinking water right after a period of sweating.

View Cavalor Electrolyte Balance at viovet.co.uk
View Cavalor Electrolyte Balance at amazon.co.uk

Plusvital Electrolyte Plus

This supplement contains an appropriate balance of salts lost in exercise, while also providing anti-oxidant ingredients to support recovery. It’s recommended that you dilute it in water after exercise, but can also be mixed into feed.

View Plusvital Electrolyte Plus at ebay.co.uk

Feedmark Replenish

This balanced blend of the essential electrolytes will help keep competition horses performing at their best by maintaining correct muscle and nerve function for optimum health.

View Feedmark Replenish at ebay.co.uk

You might also like:

Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Energy-boosting supplements: what’s on the market?

When trying to avoid dehydration in horses it is key that fresh water should always be made available, as shown here.

Credit: Trevor Meeks

Dehydration in horses can be deadly — here’s what you need to know

Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Electrolytes explained

The harder a horse works, the more electrolytes he will lose. Supplementation may be necessary, explains Natalie McGoldrick MRCVS

FEI rules revision: the first draft of rules for 2023 have been published.

Library image.

Supplements to help joints keep working at their best: what’s on the market?

Credit: Future

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Georgia Guerin

H&H’s head of e-commerce

Georgia is Horse & Hound’s equestrian products expert and our favourite shopping guru as she knows about all the latest products, often before they hit the shelves. She is here to help you make the right purchases, whatever your budget, and manages all the ecommerce opportunities that allow us to give you easy access to the best products at the lowest prices. Georgia has first-hand knowledge of all the equestrian brands and their ever-evolving product lines, having been working with them closely since she started in equestrian media in 2015. She is also editor of H∓H’s sister site, PetsRadar.

Why electrolytes are vital for healthy horses – and what’s on the market?