An electrolyte is a macro mineral that carries an electric charge, which is critical for maintaining normal fluid balance and conducting many essential functions in the horse’s body, such as muscle contraction and nerve cell response.

The 5 most important electrolytes (notice the charge) include sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+).

With adequate access to water, electrolytes are safe for all horses. 

For the average horse at maintenance (not in work or sweating), their electrolyte needs can typically be met through the diet. 

That being said, equine sweat is hypertonic, which means that their sweat contains a higher concentration of minerals as compared to humans. So, when your horse  loses a large volume of sweat, he likely needs electrolyte supplementation to replenish those being lost, and ensure normal performance, body functions, and recovery from exercise. 

The large intestine is a reservoir for electrolytes and when excessive sweating occurs, the horse taps into this reservoir, depleting it. Supplementing electrolytes can replace this electrolyte reservoir.  

As an added benefit, electrolyte supplementation stimulates thirst, due to properly balanced electrolyte formulas providing sodium chloride (NaCl) aka salt. As a result, horses will drink more water to further improve their hydration status. This means electrolyte supplementation may also be beneficial for poor drinkers year round, even in cold weather.

Electrolytes are primarily lost through sweat, and horses lose more electrolytes through sweat than humans do. It is important to replace these electrolytes to help your horse’s body return to normal fluid balance and restore electrical impulses.    

If your horse is undergoing exercise that results in sweating beyond “just under the saddle blanket,” you should consider feeding and electrolyte supplement. 

A secondary need for electrolytes is during a gastrointestinal disturbance that results in loose manure. Frequently, this type of GI disturbance can lead to dehydration in horses, and adding electrolytes can support hydration and fluid balance during the gastrointestinal disruption and recovery thereafter.  

Use cases for equine electrolyte supplements:

• Hot and/or humid weather when the horse is sweating more than usual
• Moderate to intense training or work
• Sweat extends beyond just the saddle/saddle blanket
• During/after GI upset (loose manure)
• Horses doing full-day work 
• During long-distance travel or transport
• Horses that are poor drinkers

• Both of the Four Sixes Electrolyte products provide horses with the same balanced formulation. The powder is intended for daily top-dress on top of feed, and the paste is intended for convenient on-the-go electrolyte supplementation - for example, when shipping horses. 

B vitamins are important water-soluble vitamins that play a role in your horse’s energy metabolism and support many cellular functions in the equine body.  

Specifically, B vitamins are cofactors for the enzymes responsible for generating energy. Without B vitamins serving as enzyme cofactors, enzymes cannot work, and energy is not produced efficiently.

Think of a B12 injection, common in human wellness practices. Following that treatment, people often feel more energized and able to perform at higher levels.

Healthy horses produce B vitamins in their large intestine (the electrolyte reservoir). However, in working horses, the large intestine is often unable to keep up with the body’s demand for B vitamins. For ease of supplementation, B vitamins have been added to our two electrolyte supplements, to better support hard working horses.

B-vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that play a role in energy metabolism and support many cellular functions.  

Specifically, they are often cofactors for enzymes responsible for generating energy. Without the B-vitamin serving as enzyme cofactors, the enzyme cannot work and energy is not produced efficiently. 

Think of a B12 injection, common in people.  Following that treatment, people often feel more energized and able to perform at higher levels.

Yes. B vitamins are water soluble, meaning dietary levels not needed by the body will be excreted in the urine, eliminating concerns about toxicity. Supplementing with B vitamins is especially important for hard-working horses.

It is common for many electrolyte formulas (both in horses and humans) to be incredibly high in sugar, which can have detrimental effects on insulin and metabolism. 

It’s important to select an equine electrolyte supplement that provides adequate levels of sodium and chloride (salt), balanced with the other macro minerals that act as electrolytes, and no added sugar. On an equine supplement label, sugar will often appear in the ingredients list as ‘dextrose’.