Administering Electrolytes
Electrolytes are important nutrients, and dietary supplementation is beneficial for achieving peak performance in many performance horses. Performance horses using electrolyte supplements include those training for, and competing in, dressage, eventing, jumping, polo, racing, endurance, reining, cutting and showing.
Loss of electrolytes and water through sweating decrease performance and may produce health concerns in an otherwise healthy, very fit horse. Effective replacement of electrolytes and water can be used to maintain optimum hydration status and help your horse achieve their genetic potential.
General Use of Electrolytes:
Many horse owners and trainers find it helpful to dissolve a small amount of Perform’N Win solution into the horse’s drinking water (1 oz. per gallon or 4 liters) every day. This helps the horse get used to the taste, and provision of this ‘water’ becomes part of the normal routine. This can be very beneficial if your horse does not drink in new locations due to the different taste of the water. Adding Perform’N Win solution to the water will mask the strange taste, the water will seem normal to the horse, encouraging the horse to drink and replace electrolytes lost in transport.
Using Perform’N Win Electrolytes During Competition:
The following directions provide the guidelines for improving hydration and electrolyte balance. Doses can be adjusted according to the needs of the individual horse.
To Prepare the Perform’N Win Solution:
Mix 4 oz of Perform’N Win powder in 1 gallon (4 liters) of water and offer to horse during the 1-4 hour period prior to the event. This will also help to replace water and electrolytes lost during transport. Recovery can be optimized by providing more of this solution within the first 2 hours after competing. Alternatively, electrolytes may be provided by syringe (see “Syringing Instructions”).
- Racing, Polo, Reining, Cutting, and Draft horses: These horses lose substantial amounts of sweat during training, warm-ups and during the event. In order to maintain hydration status during the event, sweat losses of electrolytes and water must be replenished. This is best accomplished by providing a reservoir of electrolytes and water in the gut of the horse prior to starting the training sessions or competition.
- Eventing horses: These horses lose substantial amounts of sweat during training, warm-ups and during each phase. In order to maintain hydration status during the event, sweat losses of electrolytes and water must be replenished. Prior to
dressage, provide a Perform’N Win solution to the horse during the 1-4 hour period prior to the event. Alternatively, electrolytes may be provided by syringe (see
“Syringing Instructions”). This will help to ensure maintenance of hydration status during dressage and aid immediate recovery. Further provision of the Perform’N Win solution within the first two hours and as the ‘drinking water’, will help recovery and maintain hydration status during the 3-day event. Following the
cross-country phase, continue to provide Perform’N Win solution for drinking, including overnight and the following morning. Full recovery of lost electrolytes require several hours. After the
stadium-jumping phase, recovery of hydration status is important to help minimize the stress of transport back home.
- Endurance horses: It is best to keep the endurance horse fully hydrated and without an electrolyte deficit. The electrolyte dosing routine should be used as preparation for the NEXT 1-2 hours of exercise, rather than trying to catch up to the losses incurred in the preceding hour. During competition and on training rides of 2 hours or more: Administer Perform’N Win solution 1-4 hours before starting the training ride. Alternatively, electrolytes may be provided by syringe (see
“Syringing Instructions”). During rest stops, the horse should be encouraged to drink Perform’N Win solution, or administer by syringe. The idea is to train your horses using the same procedures that you will use during competition. This will help to establish a familiar routine for the horse, and you will get to know how much and when to supplement your horse to achieve optimum performance.
Remember, best performance is achieved by preventing water and electrolyte
deficits.
During the ride, administer 2-4 oz per hour of exercise, depending on conditions and the horse. For higher speed, humidity, temperature or challenging terrain, the optimal dosage for your horse may be higher. For horses that do not eat well during competitions, consider additional water and electrolyte supplementation. For the first 2 hours after completion, continue to provide Perform’N Win Solution to help recovery.
- Transporting horses: Horses lose large amounts of water and electrolytes through sweating when being transported. With transport duration of 4 hours or more, these losses may take 2-7 days to replenish, depending on the deficit. Dehydration from transporting, prior to competition, will adversely affect performance. For long trailer rides (4 hours), or for transport during conditions of heat and humidity, provide Perform’N Win solution 1-4 hours before loading. During transit, offer water soaked hay and offer Perform’N Win Solution every 2 hours. Add water to any feed offered to the horse to increase water intake.
Syringing Instructions: Add appropriate amount of powder to about 60 cc of water and stir. Fill syringe and administer orally to horse. If you want to administer Perform’N Win solution while riding, place 1-2 oz of Perform’N Win solution powder into a ziplock baggie. When ready to use, add water to baggie, close and mix. Open baggie and use a syringe to pull out the Perform’N Win Solution.
For More Information:
Please contact Buckeye Nutrition’s Technical Support office at: 1-800-898-9467. |
