Water, Salts and Electrolytes, Dehydration in Riding Horses
  by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

This is a companion article to Salts and Minerals in the Horses Diet which should be read first. It will be easier to understand this article if you read and understand if first.

Long rides during hot humid weather place a large stress on the horse's ability to maintain correct temperature, hydration, and electrolyte balance. In an effort to keep cool, the horse sweats losing precious water and salt. What we call "salts" are the dietary form of the electrolytes once they are ingested and dissolved in our bodies fluid and the fluid within our cells. Both the intracellular and extracellular electrolytes are essential for the proper working of our body. Even at maintenance horses may have trouble getting the proper amount of salt in their diet. This article deals with electrolytes in the horse's diet with an emphasis on maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance in a horse during maximal prolonged exertion, like endurance riding, during hot humid conditions.

See Also:

• Minerals in the Horses Diet
• First Aid for Overheating and Exhaustion
• Summertime Care