Re: too much electro-lytes?

["Susan Garlinghouse" <suendavid@worldnet.att.net>]

There are differing opinions, but as long as the horse is metabolically okay and is drinking well, IMO, no.  This is also assuming that you are giving the e'lytes in small frequent doses, as opposed to pumping a couple pounds down their face all at once.  I think where you're more likely to get into trouble is if you try to use electrolytes as a magic bullet once you're already in trouble, as a replacement for adequate preparation (ie, providing a good reservoir of fiber in the hindgut before the ride), or when the horse is not drinking (pretty much the same thing as already in trouble).  One of the main things to remember with oral e'lyting is that in order to dilute the salts before it can be absorbed, there has to be adequate fluid in the stomach---if that water isn't there from drinking, then the body will move fluid from the plasma volume into the stomach---and that can create a temporary, artificial dehydration.  So small, frequent doses, and dosing after a drink are big factors in keeping the horse ship-shape.

 

Susan Garlinghouse

----- Original Message -----

From: jennifer kurtzhall

To: RideCamp@endurance.net

Sent: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 11:03 AM

Subject: RC: too much electro-lytes?

Hi Everybody,

I often hear about horses with electro-lyte imbalances at rides. People not giving their horses enough or often enough. On the average Saturday ride I give electro-lytes on Thursday night, Friday night, early Saturday morning, at the first vet check( if it's hot and we're going fast), at lunch at the finish and upon arrival home. This is all assuming my horse is drinking fine and we're completing the ride. I don't know the exact ingredients in the brand I use. I have never heard any talk of giving too much electro-lytes, is it possible? I know that giving electro-lytes to a seriously dehydrated horse who is not drinking is....well, dumb. But assuming your horse is fine metabollicly (forgive the spelling) can you give them too much?

Jennifer & Tucker

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