Summer Heat and the Best Electrolytes for Horses
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As the summer heat sets in, it’s important to consider your horse’s electrolyte needs. Proper electrolyte supplementation can help keep your horse happy, healthy, and performing their best even in the hottest weather. Discover the importance of electrolytes and get our top recommendation for the best electrolytes, along with tips on when and how to use them effectively.
Episode Transcription
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00:00:00 Speaker 1
Hi, this is Lillian.
00:00:01 Speaker 1
I’m here with April Love.
00:00:03 Speaker 1
I was wondering during the summer should I electrolyte my horse or not?
00:00:09 Speaker 2
So, it all depends on what the horse is doing, of course.
00:00:12 Speaker 2
Powdered electrolytes burn the esophagus, and most people don’t know that.
00:00:22 Speaker 2
When I was doing 50-mile endurance rides and people had the paste tubes they were fighting with the horse. The horse’s head was all over. They were grabbing the bit and forcing it in their mouth.
00:00:33 Speaker 2
And it’s like you taking a teaspoon of powdered Gatorade and just letting it sit in the back of your throat.
00:00:40 Speaker 2
It just really burns, and that’s why they go off their food.
00:00:45 Speaker 2
People be like, oh, don’t electrolyte and let them eat first
00:00:48 Speaker 2
And I’m like, OK, this isn’t working for me. And then I found Dynamite Dyna Spark.
00:00:54 Speaker 2
So I do teach the muscle testing, yes/no
00:00:58 Speaker 2
Does my horse need it?
00:01:00 Speaker 2
But I find that the Dyna Spark is a little bit more bioavailable and softer to the system.
00:01:07 Speaker 2
It’s a raw organic molasses-based and it has ismene silica in it, which helps detoxify liver and kidneys, helps pull out lactic acid, but it tastes so good to me.
00:01:19 Speaker 2
It’s like eating salt and vinegar, potato chips and any water you drink after that would taste so good.
00:01:25 Speaker 2
So, while everybody was fighting with their horse to electrolyte them, I had a little just pop-top water bottle, you know you could just with your teeth, pop the top up.
00:01:34 Speaker 2
And I had the liquid Dyna Spark in there.
00:01:37 Speaker 2
And I would just squirt it in the side of the horse’s mouth. Just a little bit, where the bit goes and they would try to eat the bottle.
00:01:44 Speaker 2
It was like oh, I really, really like this and I could actually do that from horseback because I had taught my horse in the endurance rides.
00:01:52 Speaker 2
I carried a water bottle on the saddle just for him when we were climbing really hard, steep hills, and I’d stop him and I would just lean to the side and squirt water in his mouth and he would just drink.
00:02:03 Speaker 2
And then we’d continue on up the hill so I could do that with the electrolytes as well.
00:02:07 Speaker 2
And I didn’t have to get off and I’d be at the water trough doing my horse and all the other horses are trying to eat my bottle and they smell it and they’re going, what is that?
00:02:17 Speaker 2
I’m like, electrolytes.
00:02:19 Speaker 2
They go and your horse wants it?
00:02:21 Speaker 2
I go. Yeah, he loves it. And he would only suck on the bottle as much as he needed so the electrolyte thing shouldn’t be a big hard long dose.
00:02:32 Speaker 2
It should be little bits, more often.
00:02:34 Speaker 2
If you were a basketball player or something, you wouldn’t fill up on electrolytes.
00:02:38 Speaker 2
You would take sips, you know, as you’re sweating and the potassium, and, calcium, magnesium that you need for the muscle function and electrolytes and the salt, you know, you want that to be more over a sustained period.
00:02:51 Speaker 2
So, giving a little bit more often is always better.
00:02:55 Speaker 2
I’ve had horses that wouldn’t eat anything or they’re colicking and I’ll let them, you know, suck that out of the bottle or I’ll syringe it in their mouth and they’ll turn right around and start eating or drinking.
00:03:07 Speaker 2
As long as there isn’t a big colic in the stomach, I’ve crewed at the 100-mile Tevis race where horses were just dull and listless at mile 35 or 50 and not eating on the vet check, that they should and I squirt some Dyna Spark in their mouth and they turn right around and start eating hay. Or they go over and they drink.
00:03:28 Speaker 2
So it’s a really nice safe thing where you aren’t doing too much.
00:03:32 Speaker 2
They kind of take what they need.
00:03:35 Speaker 2
If you travel like I was doing on endurance rides and some of the water smelled bad, you could put like 1/2 a teaspoon in the water bucket and then the horses would still drink because when you’re hauling and traveling.
00:03:48 Speaker 2
You need to have the electrolytes, they’re sweating, they’re pooping and peeing in the trailer.
00:03:52 Speaker 2
They’re having to sleep somewhere that’s uncomfortable.
00:03:55 Speaker 2
Or, a new barn or something and we would haul 8 to 10 hours to go to endurance rides and we would make them a little mash with like shredded beef pulp and oat hay pellets and warm water.
00:04:09 Speaker 2
And we put the Dyna Spark in there.
00:04:11 Speaker 2
And I mean, we were pulling them out on the side of the road at truck stops, and walking the horses.
00:04:17 Speaker 2
Around and they would just Sloop all this stuff up and when we got to our destination 12 hours later, they look great, you know?
00:04:25 Speaker 2
So it’s really important to give them those.
00:04:28 Speaker 2
Do you know how much are they sweating?
00:04:29 Speaker 2
How much do they need?
00:04:31 Speaker 2
Let them sucking and, you know, drinking it and you always want to electrolyte before the event, not an hour before the event, but like the night before the event, you want to just start loading a little bit and the reason that it works so well with colicky horses is salt by osmosis, pulls water from the other surrounding areas and can give you diarrhea-ish kind of symptoms.
00:04:58 Speaker 2
So, if my horse went to an endurance ride and he had loose stools, I was actually happy because there’s a lot of water in his gut before we’re going to go do 50 miles.
00:05:08 Speaker 2
I’d rather see that than hard packed poop balls coming out, which tells me he’s dehydrated and his system isn’t moving along really well.
00:05:19 Speaker 2
So the Dyna Spark is definitely one of the products that I always had on hand, and one of the first things I would give to horses that were showing colic symptoms along with my lift, the ribs on each side and do the butt tucks.
00:05:34 Speaker 2
Part of my yoga to really get large and small intestines moving and move any blockages so you can find the Dinah spark on my dynamite website.
00:05:44 Speaker 2
It’s very tasty and all animals like it.
00:05:49 Speaker 2
But you know, I would just give it to your horses at least once or twice a week.
00:05:53 Speaker 2
And the weather’s hot and they’re sweating. And remember to keep those water troughs clean. So, mosquitoes aren’t, you know, laying eggs and stuff in it. And my ebook is study www.horseacademy.101.com. That’s a good free e-book that you can get on where all the horse problems start.
00:06:18 Speaker 2
On Amazon, I have a Holistic Alternatives Horse 102 books. It’s only about $9 and my website is holistichorseworks.com and just send me an e-mail if you have any questions?
What do electrolytes do?
Electrolytes are essential minerals—such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, and magnesium—that play critical roles in maintaining various physiological functions in horses.
Regulate Fluid Balance
Electrolytes help maintain the balance of fluids inside and outside of cells. Sodium, in particular, is crucial for managing water distribution in the body. This balance is vital for hydration, which affects overall health and performance.
Support Muscle Function
Electrolytes are key to proper muscle function. Calcium and magnesium play a significant role in muscle contraction and relaxation. An imbalance can lead to muscle cramps, weakness, and reduced performance.
Facilitate Nerve Transmission
Electrolytes such as potassium and sodium are involved in transmitting nerve impulses. These impulses are essential for communication between the brain and muscles, affecting coordination and response times.
Maintain Acid-Base Balance
Electrolytes help maintain the body’s acid-base balance, which is crucial for normal cellular functions. Chloride, for example, works with bicarbonate to keep the blood at the proper pH level.
Support Energy Production
Electrolytes are involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production. For instance, phosphate is a component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of cells.
Why are electrolytes important?
Prevent Dehydration
During periods of intense exercise or travel, horses lose significant amounts of electrolytes through sweat. This loss can quickly lead to dehydration if not replenished. Dehydration impairs performance, reduces endurance, and can lead to serious health issues.
Optimize Performance
Adequate electrolyte levels are essential for maintaining peak physical performance. They help ensure that muscles function efficiently and recover quickly, which is crucial during competitions and long rides.
Enhance Recovery
Post-exercise, the replenishment of electrolytes aids in faster recovery by restoring fluid balance and supporting muscle repair. This helps your horse bounce back more quickly after strenuous activities.
Prevent Heat Stress
Electrolytes play a critical role in thermoregulation. During hot weather or intense exercise, proper electrolyte balance helps horses dissipate heat more effectively, reducing the risk of heat stress and related conditions.
Improve Overall Health
Beyond performance, electrolytes are fundamental to overall health. They support vital bodily functions that affect everything from digestion to cardiovascular health. Ensuring your horse has a balanced intake of electrolytes contributes to their long-term well-being.
Tips to Maintain Electrolyte Balance
When horses travel or engage in strenuous activities during work or competition, they lose significant amounts of electrolytes through sweat. This loss can lead to dehydration and compromised performance if not adequately managed. Signs of electrolyte imbalance include lethargy, muscle cramps, and reduced stamina, highlighting the critical need for supplementation.
Mix the Electrolytes with Water
One effective way to support your horse’s electrolyte balance is through the use of electrolyte supplements like Dynamite’s Dyna Spark. This specially formulated product provides a convenient and palatable way to replenish essential minerals before and after long hauls or demanding competitions.
I used to mix Dynamite Dyna Spark with water in a squirt bottle to give to my horse during endurance rides. This allowed for easy administration and ensured I could replenish electrolytes regularly during the ride. All I had to do was lean forward and squirt the bottle into my horse’s mouth to give him drink!
The other riders wondered how I could get my horse to take his electrolytes so easily, while they struggled to do so with theirs. The secret is in the taste. Dynamite Dyna Spark is a solution of raw, organic molasses that horses love. It’s also easy for them to ingest compared to traditional powdered electrolytes which can burn the mouth and esophagus.
Feed an Electrolyte Mash Mixture
Mix the recommended dosage of Dynamite Dyna Spark with shredded beet pulp, oat hay pellets, and warm water. Let it soak for several minutes to create an easy to digest, hydrating and enticing mash. Feed the mash to your horse the night before and after a competition or other strenuous activities.
When to give electrolytes
Ensuring your horse gets the right amount of electrolytes can make a significant difference in their overall health and performance. Here’s how you can incorporate electrolytes into their routine:
1-2x Weekly for Any Horse
Even if your horse isn’t regularly competing or undergoing intense training, providing electrolyte supplementation 1-2 times a week can still offer substantial benefits. This routine is especially advantageous for horses living in hot climates, where they are more likely to lose electrolytes through increased sweating. Consistent administration helps maintain their hydration levels and supports general well-being.
Daily for Physically Challenged Horses
For horses engaged in competition, sport, or physically demanding work, daily electrolyte supplementation is essential. The physical challenges these horses face lead to significant electrolyte loss, which, if not replenished, can impair performance and recovery. Daily supplementation ensures they remain hydrated, sustain muscle function, and achieve peak performance during competitions or work.
By integrating regular electrolyte administration into your horse’s care routine, you can ensure they stay hydrated, healthy, and ready to take on any challenge that comes their way. Whether it’s occasional supplementation for general well-being or daily doses for high-performance needs, the right electrolyte regimen can make all the difference.
The Best Electrolytes for Horses: Dynamite DYna Spark
Dyna Spark is a must for any horse that is being challenged physically. It provides a unique electrolyte balance as well as addresses the subtle physiological requirements of a working horse – be it training, competing, foaling, or even recovering from injury. Dyna Spark is free of refined sugar and contains nothing artificial.
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