EQUINE AMERICA Apple Lytes powder

Why electrolytes are essential for your horse

An increase in body temperature, whether due to exercise, travel or high ambient temperature, causes a horse to sweat. The evaporation of this perspiration helps to cool the horse and regulate body temperature.

Perspiration leads to a loss of fluids, as well as mineral salts andelectrolytes, contained in the horse's sweat. These losses can compromise water balance and performance.

The important electrolytes are sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium and magnesium; they play many key roles in the body, including muscle contraction, the nervous system and maintaining the water balance around cells.

Potassium is generally provided in abundance in the horse's diet, as most forages such as pasture, hay and silage are rich in potassium.

Sodium and chloride are found in much smaller quantities in forages, and even for horses doing light work, a daily intake of sodium and chloride is necessary.

Most compound feeds, such as pellets and mixes, provide sodium and chloride in the form of salt, but if consumption is low, this may not be enough. Electrolyte supplements are therefore necessary. Similarly, horses that work hard, especially in hot, humid weather, lose large quantities of electrolytes and water through perspiration. The usual daily feed is often not sufficient to compensate for these losses, so additional electrolytes are essential to offset them, encourage the horse to drink and promote rehydration, in order to maintain health and performance.

A horse doing moderate work, trotting or cantering, can lose up to 5 to 7 liters of fluid and 50 to 70 g of electrolytes in an hour. This loss will increase as the intensity or duration of work increases, and even more so if the weather is hot and humid.

Maintaining good hydration and replacing lost electrolytes is therefore important not only for elite competition horses, but for all horses and ponies that sweat after work - from Pony Club rallies or long summer rides to international eventing, show jumping and dressage horses.

Since a horse's sweat contains a higher concentration of sodium and chloride than its other body fluids, it's important to provide extra electrolytes at appropriate concentrations to maintain its desire to drink, restore water balance and compensate for electrolyte losses, thus promoting optimal recovery and ensuring continued performance.

This is particularly important during long-distance travel, or performances and events of extended duration, when fatigue increases and performance declines if electrolyte and water balance is not restored.

The benefits of Equine America's Apple Lytes powder supplement

Apple Lytes has been carefully formulated to replace essential electrolytes and encourage fluid intake to promote rehydration and maintain optimal performance throughout the season.

Equine América's Apple Lytes powder supplement is highly palatable with a pleasant apple taste and should be mixed with feed. Clean, fresh water should always be available.

Sodium, potassium and chloride levels are carefully balanced to provide optimal levels to promote hydration and compensate for electrolyte losses to maintain performance.

Calcium and magnesium are also supplied from bioavailable sources for complete intake.

Low in sugar and suitable for all horses and ponies, even those with special sensitivities.

Very palatable, with a pleasant apple and cherry taste, Apple Lytes powder is easily accepted even by fussy animals.