Electrolytes are one of those things most horse owners are familiar with, especially in hot weather or during periods of travel and exertion. But understanding exactly how electrolytes work and why they matter on a cellular level can help you make more informed decisions about your horse's care.
What Are Electrolytes?
Electrolytes are charged minerals that circulate through your horse’s body fluids. The primary electrolytes in horses include sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals help regulate water balance, muscle contraction, nerve impulses, and acid-base balance.
Every time your horse sweats, they lose both water and electrolytes. Unlike humans, horses lose a much higher concentration of electrolytes in their sweat, especially sodium and chloride. This means that sweat loss isn't just about dehydration, it also affects cellular function and overall performance.
Why Supplement Electrolytes?
Even mild electrolyte imbalances can affect how your horse feels and functions. Reduced stamina, delayed recovery, muscle fatigue, or even reluctance to drink can all be subtle signs that your horse is out of balance. More severe deficits may lead to tying-up, irregular heart rhythms, or impaction colic related to dehydration.
Horses in moderate to heavy work, those exposed to heat or travel stress, and those recovering from illness or digestive upset are all candidates for electrolyte support. Electrolyte replacement is also essential after diuretic use, such as furosemide (Lasix), which causes significant loss of fluids and minerals. Supplementation helps restore balance, encourage drinking, and support a faster return to normal function.
MVP’s Approach to Electrolyte Support
MVP offers two well-formulated electrolyte options designed to meet your horse’s needs under different conditions.
Apple-Lyte
Apple-Lyte is a powdered, palatable electrolyte supplement that supports everyday recovery and hydration. It contains a full profile of sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in ratios similar to what horses lose in sweat. It’s ideal for routine use during training, trailering, hot weather, or in post-race and post-Lasix care. Apple-Lyte can be top-dressed on feed or mixed into water, making it easy to use across a range of situations.
Electro-Cell II Paste
Electro-Cell II Paste is formulated for rapid absorption and is best used during times of acute stress or demand, such as competition days, long hauls, or immediately post-workout. It is also highly effective when given immediately following Lasix administration, helping to replenish fluids and electrolytes that are rapidly lost. In addition to a full spectrum of electrolytes, this paste includes amino acids and B vitamins to support energy metabolism and muscle recovery.
When and How to Supplement
Daily maintenance: Use Apple-Lyte to replenish electrolytes during periods of routine work, especially in hot weather.
Before or after stress and performance: Use Electro-Cell II Paste before hauling, competing, or after a hard workout or Lasix administration.
Encourage drinking: Both products can help stimulate thirst, which is critical for proper hydration.
Electrolyte supplementation isn’t just about replacing salt. It’s about maintaining the physiological balance that keeps your horse’s muscles firing, their brain clear, and their body hydrated. With the right approach and tools, you can support better recovery, performance, and long-term health.