Electrolyte Gold

Product Information

In order for a horse to perform at its best, it should be properly hydrated and fed sufficient levels of electrolytes. Horses are unique, in that they cool their bodies primarily by sweating large amounts of body fluids. Therefore water losses are significantly increased in the performance horse during hot weather and increased exercise. However, water is not the only substance that is lost during sweating. Electrolytes are also lost in great quantities. The composition of horses’ sweat is very unusual due to its hypertonicity, relative to plasma. This places even greater importance on electrolyte replacement. Electrolyte Gold has been formulated to eliminate the worry of a potentially debilitating electrolyte deficiency in the performance horse.

Packed in convenient single feeding sachets, ELECTROLYTE GOLD will “refresh” horses in training. The addition of high levels of the antioxidant Vitamins E (1000iu) and C (750mg) will also protect muscle tissue by eliminating ʻfree radicalsʼ, noxious by-products of exercise. Glycine and Glucose improve the rate of absorption of electrolytes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Long term deficiencies of sodium and potassium in the horse will upset normal bodily functions, therefore Electrolyte Gold should be given daily in times of hardwork or racing, heat stress, diarrhea or excitability or nervousness.

Instructions for Proper Use:

• Horses in training / competition: One 50g sachet per day.
• In hot climates and horses in transit: One 50g sachet per day.
• Horses in light training: One 50g sachet every second day.

Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.

Why are Electrolytes Needed?

A horse can demonstrate enormous tolerance to adversity. So much so, that they can survive a total loss of body fat and up to a 50% loss of body protein. However, a mere loss of only 15% of it body water is fatal.  This clearly demonstrates the necessity to maintain the correct electrolyte and body fluid balance.

Thermoregulation & Electrolytes

The word electrolyte comes from two words. Electron meaning ‘charged’ and lyte meaning ‘dissolved in’. The charged particles, that are dissolved in body fluids are called ions, or more colloquially as body salts. All horses need electrolytes to live. When caring for an athletic horse, the nutrients needed in order of importance are

1. water
2. electrolytes
3. dietary energy

The reason why electrolytes supersede dietary energy in order of importance, is due to thermoregulation requirements. The exercising horse produces a tremendous amount of heat in the muscles. Heat is a by-product of the transduction of potential energy into kinetic energy. This can raise core body temperatures in the horse from 39˚C at rest to temperatures exceeding 42˚C in a matter of minutes. The horse copes with this increase in temperature by sweating large amounts of body fluids to keep cool. Thoroughbreds racing over distances of 1 to 2 miles may lose up to 10 litres of fluids during the warm-up, race and initial recovery period. The substantial loss of fluid and electrolytes associated with sweating at this rate, results in significant adverse effects on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular mechanisms.

Electrolytes are essential for water balance and muscle function. When a horse sweats he loses water, electrolytes and the protein latherin. Sodium, bicarbonates, chloride and potassium are lost in the greatest quantities. Therefore when considering an electrolyte mix, one should look primarily at the content of these electrolytes. Magnesium and calcium are also very important electrolytes, which should be incorporated into a commercial electrolyte supplement. Electrolyte Gold has been formulated to replace these essential electrolytes, in the correct and balanced ratios, to maintain the integrity of physiological and biochemical processes in the body.

Electrolytes are essential for water balance and muscle function. When a horse sweats he loses water, electrolytes and the protein latherin. Sodium, bicarbonates, chloride and potassium are lost in the greatest quantities. Therefore when considering an electrolyte mix, one should look primarily  at the content of these  electrolytes. Magnesium and calcium are also very important electrolytes, which should be incorporated into a commercial electrolyte supplement. Electrolyte Gold has been formulated to replace these essential electrolytes, in the correct and balanced ratios, to maintain the integrity of physiological and biochemical processes in the body.

Electrolyte requirements and losses are influenced by:

Low sodium and chloride levels upset horses’ fluid balance, making it harder for their body tissues to retain water. When fluid loss is disrupted, they may sweat less or perhaps not at all. This can result in the condition known as anhidrosis or ‘dry coat’. A horse that is ‘electrolyte deficient’ may begin to show unusual eating habits, even going so far as to consume dirt and soil in search of electrolytes. A long term deficiency of electrolytes may lead to a horse developing renal medullary washout. The horse is less able to concentrate urine, resulting in dramatic increases in both water intake and urine output. A horse in hard work may need twice as much electrolyte as one that is resting. “Hardwork” simply defined, is work that makes the horse sweat significantly. His neck, chest and sides are wet, not just a patch under his saddle. When a horse sweats like this, it loses large amounts of sodium and chloride, as well as potassium, magnesium and calcium. Electrolyte Gold is the optimum electrolyte supplement to use after hardwork or racing.

What is the best method for feeding electrolytes?

1. When giving electrolytes, always use the rationale “replace, replace, replace!” One cannot “pre-load” a horse with electrolytes. Electrolytes, which include sodium, chloride, potassium, bicarbonates, calcium and magnesium are water soluble. Therefore, any excess will be eliminated via the urinary system. The body is a finely tuned machine that responds to biochemical feedback mechanisms that tell it when it is running too low or too high on electrolytes. This means that the body will crave electrolytes when there has been a significant loss through exercise, temperature or stress, and will eliminate dietary excess immediately. For this reason Electrolyte Gold is designed to give after hard work or racing and competing.

Reasons for fatigue in the performance horse.

1. An electrolyte and water deficit.
2. Depletion of high energy phosphate reserves.
3. Accumulation of lactate resulting in a fall in intracellular pH.
4. Depletion of glycogen stores.

How do the ingredients of Electrolyte Gold help the exercising horse?

Genetics, breed and conformation are hugely consequential when training an animal. Unfortunately, they are considerations that must be worked with, and cannot be changed. The best training method to use is subjective and will depend on the individual trainer. Feeding is a combination of nutritional and often personal choices. However, one factor that can have a huge influence on the performance of an animal is the feeding of electrolytes. Major alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance adversely affect athletic performance. Electrolyte Gold is a premium electrolyte supplement that should be given to exercising horses to ensure that lost electrolytes are replaced. Health and fitness come from the inside, therefore in order to keep the internal environment of the horse healthy, always offer unlimited electrolytes and fresh water.