Re: electrolite formula

["Heidi Smith" <heidi@sagehillcmk.com>]

> What's the baking soda for?   This is not a electrolite!!!

Well, yes, baking soda is an electrolyte, because it separates into its two
electrically charged components (sodium and bicarbonate) when dissolved in
water.  As to what it's for--bicarbonate is a buffer and helps get hydrogen
ions out of circulation, so it has some usefulness in anaerobic athletes
that suffer from lactic acidosis.  (And that's why people take it for
indigestion and heartburn as well--to combat the acid levels in the stomach.
Remember the Alkaseltzer "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz"?)  However, since aerobic
athletes (when functioning normally) tend to be alkalotic (the opposite of
acidotic), bicarbonate is contraindicated, as it would make them even more
alkalotic.  So no, it is not appropriate in a mix for endurance horses.

Heidi