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Skip Navigation LinksAll Horse Topics > Nutrition/Supplements > Water/Electrolytes


Articles ( * = TheHorse.com members only )Date Posted
Donated Water Troughs Aid Moroccan Cart Horses   *
Cart horses, mules, and donkeys working in the Moroccan city of Marrakech are now able to stay hydrated throughout their hot days on the job, thanks to the donation of nine water troughs by the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad (SPANA). The troughs are located near the main stands where around 1,000 horses and mules that pull tourist carriages ... Read full story
 8/13/2009
Poll: Readers Dish the Salt  *
More than 1,600 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "What types of salt block do your horses use?" Results were as follows: Blocks with added minerals 62.89% (1,017) White blocks 44.16% (714) I add salt/minerals to feed instead of using a salt block 18.49% (299) I do not offer any salt supplements 1.55% ... Read full story
 7/18/2009
Ranch Hand Arrested in Texas Horse Deaths  *
A ranch worker was arrested on multiple animal cruelty counts for the heat-related deaths of 11 horses in Weatherford, Texas. Parker County law enforcement authorities discovered 10 horses dead in their pasture on July 1. One was euthanized on the scene. Investigators found another 29 horses suffering from extreme dehydration. According to Parker ... Read full story
 7/13/2009
11 Horses Die in Texas Pasture, Heat and Dehydration Cited  *
Equipment failure and employee negligence are being blamed for the heat-related deaths of 11 horses in Weatherford, Texas, last week. Parker County animal control authorities discovered the horses on July 1 after a tipster reported a horse down in a pasture. County Sheriff's Deputies discovered 10 horses dead on the 600-acre property. Another 29 ... Read full story
 7/8/2009
Researchers Examine Oral Acetate for Equine Exercise Recovery  *
An inaugural study has found that a sodium acetate electrolyte solution given orally with a typical hay and grain meal following exercise enhanced skeletal muscle metabolism to restore depleted glycogen (energy) sources. "Glycogen stored in muscle is the primary energy source for horses undergoing either short-term, high intensity or prolonged submaximal ... Read full story
 6/15/2009
Water: The Overlooked Nutrient   *
The most important nutrient in the horse's diet is one that is rarely added to feeds: water. Although it is often overlooked in discussions involving equine nutrition, water could be considered the first limiting nutrient of all horses, as they cannot survive for as many days without water as they can without feed. The amount of water required by ... Read full story
 5/17/2009
Barn-O-Matic  *
The latest models of automated waterers and feeders can take some of the work out of horsekeeping, and automatic stall cleaners can even minimize your time wielding a pitchfork! Finding it difficult to schedule enough quality time in the barn these days? Worried that all your other obligations are going to mess with your horse's need for regular ... Read full story
 2/1/2009
12 Months of Feeding Tips  *
Here's how to roll with Mother Nature through the seasons, nutritionally speaking. Sometimes it feels as if humans have divorced themselves from the rhythms of nature. Perhaps that's part of the appeal of horses. They seem so much more attuned to the natural world than we are. And when we spend time in their company, we're brought back into an environment ... Read full story
 1/1/2009
Respecting Our Elders  *
Is 20 the new 10? How horses age has a lot to do with their luck in the genetic lottery, but factors such as nutrition, medical and dental care, and lifestyle can enhance--and even extend--their years. "Historically, horses were considered old when they reached their teens," says Joe Pagan, PhD, president of Kentucky Equine Research in Versailles, ... Read full story
 1/1/2009
Shipping and Showing  *
Monitor and optimize your horse's training, diet, general health, and shipping experience in order to help him perform his best. For some, nothing compares to the excitement of a horse show. The anticipation of months of hard work finally paying off with the faultless jump, the perfect pirouette, or the impeccable sliding stop, and the chance of winning ... Read full story
 10/1/2008
New Report on Water Quality and Livestock Health  *
The University of Wyoming's College of Agriculture, in collaboration with two state agencies, has published a report on water quality as it pertains to the health of livestock and wildlife. "The target audience is anyone with an interest in water quality as it relates to animal health, including veterinarians, livestock producers, wildlife managers, ... Read full story
 8/14/2008
Equine 'Thumps' Are More than Mere Hiccups  *
One of the best known cures for relieving someone of the hiccups is a good, old-fashioned scare. However, what do you do when it seems that your horse has a case of the hiccups? Sneaking up behind a 1,000 pound Thoroughbred and yelling "Boo!," is not advisable for several reasons. For one, you might get a surprise of your own. The medical term for ... Read full story
 8/5/2008
Water and Dehydration Study Clarification  *
A 2008 Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) publication examining dehydration in working horses was summarized and printed onTheHorse.com on April 24, 2008, prior to its actual publication in EVJ. It was reviewed and approved by the researcher. The complete publication (in which Dr. Joy Pritchard was first author) was titled "Validity of indicators of dehydration ... Read full story
 4/24/2008
Readers Respond: Winter Refreshment  *
More than 1,500 readers of TheHorse.com responded to a poll asking, "How do you encourage adequate hydration during cold weather?" Results were as follows: Heated water buckets/troughs: 73.10% (1,128) Mashes: 27.41% (423) Electrolytes: 20.41% (315) Other: 23.01% (355) All comments submitted by poll respondents are listed below. ... Read full story
 1/17/2008
Food for Thought: Digestive Health  *
A favorite pastime of humans and horses alike is to eat. Our world view of eating revolves around fundamental expectations of the types of food we eat, how these foods make us feel, and how different foods are processed through our bodies. Unlike our human intestinal constitution, the horse has a unique intestinal structure and function for processing ... Read full story
 4/1/2007
Book Excerpt: Severe Dehydration
Dehydration can be a significant problem for the performance horse as well as for horses suffering from other disease processes. If you suspect dehydration, you can check easily your horse's hydration status if you have used one or more of the following methods to establish a base line before the event. Although the tests are somewhat subjective, ... Read full story
 5/31/2006
Water Makeovers on the Farm   *
There are many things to consider when supplying water for horses. If you depend on a stream, pond, or ditch (rather than a controlled system such as buckets, tanks, or automatic waterers), there are concerns regarding water quality (for your horses and for the environment) and safe footing. Regardless of where you live, water quality and protecting ... Read full story
 5/1/2006
Book Excerpt: Exercise Exhaustion  *
Edior's Note: This is an excerpt from Understanding Equine First Aid by Michael A. Ball, DVM. This book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. The ability to exercise and the metabolic responses to exercise differ in each individual horse and can vary greatly depending on many factors. The genetic potential for athleticism, the level of training, ... Read full story
 4/19/2006
Oral Potassium for Endurance?   *
Endurance riding can lead to significant losses of water and electrolytes, which can cause clinical illnesses related to increased neuromuscular excitability, including cardiac arrhythmia, muscle cramping and twitching, and gut motility changes. When plasma potassium (K+) increases--as it does with increasing exercise intensity--there is a concomitant ... Read full story
 10/1/2005
Book Excerpt: Drinking Water Temperature  *
Editor's Note: This is from Understanding Your Horse's Behavior by Sue McDonnell, PhD, Certified AAB. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com. A few years ago I read an article describing research done at New Bolton Center on drinking behavior. It said that the research showed that in winter, horses prefer to drink warm water rather ... Read full story
 9/28/2005
Mineral and Electrolyte Balance
I understand that correct ratios of calcium and phosphorus are important to the function of muscle tissue during exertion such as in endurance racing. How does one achieve a good balance using imbalanced feeds? Is there a good strategy for mineral or electrolyte replacement during rest stops? Michael Calcium and phosphorus balance is indeed ... Read full story
 8/1/2005
Waterers That Work in Winter   *
Fresh water is important to horses all year, especially in winter. Some waterers are designed to remain functional in cold weather--with an insulated tank or bowl, a heater, or a combination of a heating unit and insulation. Following are some of the ways you can keep water flowing to your horses even when it's below freezing. Insulated Buckets Buckets ... Read full story
 1/1/2005
Winter Water  *
Editor's Note: This excerpt is from Chapter 7 of Care & Management of Horses by Heather Smith Thomas. The book is available from www.ExclusivelyEquine.com . Make sure horses have good access to water and are drinking. They drink less during cold or wet weather, but still need an adequate supply or they may become impacted. If water is quite cold ... Read full story
 12/7/2004
Basic Concepts in Nutrition   *
The options and opinions on what to feed your horse are numerous. My goal in this article is to review the differences between the "simple-stomached" creatures (such as ourselves, dogs, cats, etc.) and the horse. In addition, we will take a look at how domestication has impacted the horse's digestive system and subsequently how that impacts their general ... Read full story
 9/1/2004
Would You Drink It?  *
Have you ever taken a really good look at all of your horse's water sources, whether he is drinking from a large tank, pond, or automatic waterer? Have you asked yourself, "Would I drink this water? Do I really expect my horse to drink it?" If you're looking at water that is full of debris, algae, insects, or water that has a weird color or odor, then ... Read full story
 8/1/2004
Nutritional Series Kicks Off in Lexington, Ky.  *
In the first of a new series of nutritional talks sponsored by Buckeye Nutrition, 30 veterinarians from Lexington, Ky., and surrounding areas attended a dinner and a presentation on Feb. 11. Kent Thompson, PhD, Buckeye Nutrition's Director of Equine Nutrition, discussed properly feeding the athletic horse. Thompson has also been an assistant professor ... Read full story
 3/17/2004
Camping With Your Horse   *
Whether it is the increased stress of daily life or the baby-boomer generation wanting to experience the roots of their pioneer forefathers, more and more people are setting out to see the country from horseback. As a result, equestrian campgrounds have multiplied throughout the country and the design of horse trailers has changed drastically to cater ... Read full story
 4/1/2003
AAEP Convention: Nutrition  *
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN EQUINE NUTRITION A lot has happened in the field of equine nutrition research in the last five years. Ginger Rich, PhD, of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting in Eads, Tenn.; and Leslie Breuer, PhD, of LH Breuer and Associates, updated veterinarians who attended the Current Concepts in Equine Nutrition in-depth session at ... Read full story
 3/1/2003
AAEP 2002: Recent Developments in Equine Nutrition  *
A lot has happened in the field of equine research in the last five years. Ginger Rich, PhD, of Rich Equine Nutritional Consulting in Eads, Tenn.; and Leslie Breuer, PhD, of LH Breuer and Associates, updated veterinarians and others who attended the Current Concepts in Equine Nutrition in-depth session at the 2002 American Association of Equine Practitioners’ ... Read full story
 2/4/2003
Frozen Feed?
Q: I live in northeastern Ohio, and it gets pretty cold here at times. My question is: Have you heard of horses getting colic from frozen sweet feeds? I have had horses for the past 40 years and have yet to come upon this happening, but have a friend who is quite certain that this can happen. Any suggestions? I have mixed oats with my feed at times ... Read full story
 12/1/2002
Electrolytes and Rehydration  *
Electrolyte pastes can increase water consumption, improving rehydration following administration of furosemide (Salix). A recently published study was done at Michigan State University on the effects of rehydration during the 36 hours after dehydration was induced with furosemide. The study appeared in the American Journal of Veterinary Research. Harold ... Read full story
 4/3/2002
Trauma-Free Trailering  *
Spring was a long time coming this year...but finally, the snows have receded (at least temporarily). The last of the melting snowdrifts unveiled your gardens, your pastures, and something rather less attractive--that old two-horse trailer of yours, sitting forlornly in a corner of your field. Chances are, it's been there since November, and now, as ... Read full story
 10/4/2001
Soil and Water Testing  *
As you push your shopping cart down the aisle at the supermarket, it's likely become routine for you to do a quick scan of the nutritional analysis printed on the side of every cereal box and container of yogurt you select. Instantly, you know how much crude protein the product contains, how much fat, how many micrograms of manganese. The same is ... Read full story
 10/2/2001
Feeding the Endurance Horse  *
The nutritional needs of the endurance horse are somewhat unique compared to horses used for other athletic disciplines. The metabolic demands of endurance racing (including competitive trail riding and ride and tie events) are high, requiring the horse to draw heavily upon his energy reserves to fuel muscle contraction and other body functions during ... Read full story
 9/1/2001
Chilling Out After Exercise  *
The mid-summer heat brings added challenges in managing the athletic horse. Regardless of whether your horse is competing in a show, trail ride, or high-level three-day event, hot weather places additional demands on his body. You need to be aware of these demands and take steps to ensure that he does not overheat. The focus of this article is prevention ... Read full story
 7/1/2001
Dehydration Alert  *
When horses are working hard, especially in hot weather, they are particularly prone to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The official term for one symptom of these problems is a mouthful: synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF). Horse owners and veterinarians who have dealt with this condition through the years generally identify it with a simpler, ... Read full story
 7/1/2001
High-Energy Feeds  *
The importance of nutrition for optimal athletic performance, regardless of the level of competition, cannot be over-emphasized. We should on occasion refresh our understanding of some basic concepts and look at ways to meet the nutritional needs of the athletic horse. The first key concept seems obvious, but nonetheless is critical to understanding ... Read full story
 6/1/2001
Travel Diets: Take it With You  *
Over the past couple of years, a great deal has been written about the effects of transportation (by road or air) on horses. Hopefully you have taken the time to read these articles and now have a heightened awareness of the potential stresses placed on the horse during transportation. Potential stress factors include the removal of a horse from its ... Read full story
 4/1/2001
Water Temperature and Drinking Behavior  *
A few years ago I read an article describing research done at New Bolton Center on drinking behavior. It said that the research showed that in winter, horses prefer to drink warm water rather than ice cold water, and as a result veterinarians recommend giving horses warm water during the winter to be sure that they drink enough. So, that winter we ... Read full story
 2/1/2001
Fluids And Electrolytes  *
With the summer months approaching, it is time for a refresher on the impact of the warmer environmental conditions on your horse. Warmer temperatures and high relative humidity place added stress on horses during exercise because of their increased reliance on sweating for control of body temperature. A major consequence of sweating is the loss of ... Read full story
 4/1/2000
Large Non-Farm Horse Operations Should Review New USDA-EPA Strategy On Water Pollution   *
On March 9, 1999, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released their “Unified National Strategy for Animal Feeding Operations.” The agencies have been working on this strategy since President Clinton released the Clean Water Action Plan in February 1998. The strategy is an implementation and enforcement plan ... Read full story
 5/14/1999
Canadian Equine Research  *
The University of Guelph, located in Ontario, Canada, is home of the world renowned Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). The university is a research-intensive and student-oriented facility. Its written mission is to serve society and to enhance the quality of life through education with a global perspective. The university offers a wide range of programs, ... Read full story
 4/1/1999
Warm Water
I've heard it's necessary to give horses warm drinking water in the winter. Is this true? And if so, how warm should it be? Do you have any suggestions on how I can keep my horse's drinking water warm when it's freezing outside? SHAWN HAMILTON Offering horses salt will promote drinking in winter. In the winter, when the water can be very ... Read full story
 2/1/1999
Frozen Pipes...Are You Prepared For Winter?   *
On February 5, 1996, Freddie and Erica Chalmers of South Carolina went off to work as they would any other day. However, this would be no ordinary day for the Chalmerses. When they returned home that evening, their home had suffered more than $35,000 in damage. The cause: frozen pipes. Each winter, tens of thousands of lives are disrupted by water ... Read full story
 11/13/1998
A Humane Use of the Equine Athlete: Endurance Riding  *
Similar to the increase in number of marathons and ultramarathons for human athletes, equine endurance competitions in distances of 50-100 miles have become increasingly popular over the past couple of decades. The growing interest in endurance riding has encouraged participants with different levels of prior horse experience to become involved with ... Read full story
 11/1/1998
The Movable Feast  *
Alas not only are horses dedicated herbivores but the average horse trailer doesn't fit that easily into a fast-food drive-thru. Other solutions must be sought. If you travel with your horse in tow whether it's to the local Sunday morning gymkhana or all the way up the Alaska Highway you need to address his dietary needs. Doing so isn't difficult fortunately--but ... Read full story
 4/1/1998
Electrolytes and Endurance Horses  *
Not all horses are alike in their needs for electrolyte replacement after strenuous exertion. Some deplete their body supplies more quickly or more extensively than others. Endurance horses generally have different needs for electrolyte replacement than do sprinters or cutting horses, and there also are individual differences among horses in any given ... Read full story
 11/1/1997
Life's Curious Brew: Fluids and Electrolytes  *
How would you feel if somebody told you that you are little more than just a bunch of salt water? Well, it's almost true--we and our favorite companion, the horse, are approximately 60% (by body weight) salty water. So now, with the help of a little arithmetic, we can calculate the following: A generic adult horse (named Salty) weighing 450 kilograms ... Read full story
 8/1/1997




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