You might be thinking that electrolyte supplements are only needed on days that are hot or when your horse has been working hard. However, your horse’s electrolytes are depleted every day through sweating, urination and passing faeces. Best practice is feeding electrolytes daily ensuring a positive impact on your horse’s electrolyte levels.
Some common issues that can arise from electrolyte imbalances include:
- Dehydration
- Hindgut problems/colic
- Muscle issues
- Reduced performance
- Nerve dysfunction
- Lethargy
Why Daily Electrolytes Matter
Sodium is the main electrolyte that needs to be fed daily in feed. This might be through using a commercial feed that already contains a good level of sodium, or through adding regular table salt to the diet.
If your horse is in work, supplementing with daily electrolytes becomes even more important. The key is to start feeding an electrolyte sooner rather than later!
Choosing the Right Electrolyte Supplement
With so many electrolytes on the market, finding an effective and affordable supplement can be confusing. Which will do the job quickly, efficiently, and not burn a hole in your wallet?
Here’s what to look for in a well-formulated product such as KelatoLYTE®:
- Sodium: 20-25%
- Chloride: 43-48%
- Potassium: 10-12%
- Magnesium: 1-2%
- Glucose: Less than 6%
What is NOT needed in an electrolyte supplement:
- Vitamins and Minerals: Why pay for additional B vitamins, vitamin E or any other mineral that is most likely already being fed within a balanced diet? A simple formulation that contains the main electrolytes – as KelatoLYTE does – is all your horse needs daily.
- Buffers: The risk of electrolyte irritation on the GI tract is reduced by including daily electrolyte supplements, such as KelatoLYTE, with feed and not on an empty stomach. This negates the need for buffers, such as sodium bicarbonate and/or calcium carbonate, in an electrolyte supplement.
- Any other ingredient that has no direct impact on rehydration: Again, this just adds cost to the product you are buying and is most likely not needed in an already balanced diet.
Understanding Sugar in Electrolyte Supplements
Sugar (listed as glucose or dextrose on the label) is added to electrolyte supplements to help with palatability only. Electrolytes have a bitter taste which horses often dislike. If an electrolyte supplement contains sugar, it should contain less than 10% sugar. The less the better but your horse may become picky with eating the electrolyte if it doesn’t contain ingredients to help with palatability. Any more than 10% sugar and you end up paying for a sugar product rather than an electrolyte product!
Cost-Effective Electrolyte Supplements for Everyday Use
Take the guesswork out of electrolyte supplements. KelatoLYTE is an excellent electrolyte that ticks all the boxes with a high concentration of electrolytes (94%) without unnecessary extra ingredients.
It’s also one of the most cost-effective electrolyte supplements on the market. You can replace what’s lost in sweat for your horse today and every day with KelatoLYTE!
Like to know more about KelatoLYTE?
Visit the KelatoLYTE page via our website or contact us on 1800 KELATO or email technical@kelato.com.au.
