The muscular activity associated with training and competition results in a rapid increase in body temperature. The only way for horses to lose this excess body heat is via sweat production; in fact efficient muscle function is dependent on it.
Sweat also represents the major route of fluid and electrolyte loss in horses, taking with it significant amounts of water and electrolytes from the body.
Obviously these electrolytes must be replaced as quickly and efficiently as possible, either in the diet or by oral administration. We talk about the Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) as being the total amount of electrolytes but a standard type mixed diet is usually not enough to meet the required DEB. To demonstrate this point, consider a basic diet of 6kg Grass/Hay + 3kg Oats + 3kg Sweet feed with no added electrolyte supplement.
It is difficult to assess a horses Electrolyte status from a blood test, samples of blood and urine need to be taken at the same time. Consult your veterinarian for this.
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