07/07/2025
Info on horses sweating and electrolytes.
๐๏ธ โ๏ธ ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ญ: ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐โ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐ฒ ๐ฆ ๐ด
Did you know that horses are one of the few animals that rely heavily on sweat to regulate body temperature, just like humans? In comparison, other mammals generally cool off by panting, seeking out shade, or rolling in the mud.
When horses exercise or face high heat and humidity, their bodies produce sweat. When the sweat reaches the skinโs surface, it evaporates. In order for water to transition from a liquid (sweat) to a gas, energy (in the form of heat) is required. That heat is pulled away from the body in a process known as evaporative cooling and effectively reduces the internal body temperature of the animal.
โก ๐๐ก๐๐ญโ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ญ?
Horse sweat contains:
โข Water
โข Electrolytes (especially sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, magnesium)
โข Latherin, a protein unique to horses that reduces surface tension of sweat and helps it spread across the coat for more efficient evaporation.
This is why sweaty horses often develop a white, foamy lather - thatโs latherin in action!
๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐๐ก ๐ฌ๐ฐ๐๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ?
Horses in moderate work (in the absence of weather extremes) may lose 5 to 7 L (1.3 to 2 gallons) of sweat per hour while horses in a hot or humid conditions or in intense work may increase sweat production to 10 to 15 L (2.6 to 4 gallons) of sweat per hour. However, many variables can also impact the rate of sweat production including exercise intensity and duration, athletic fitness, climatic adaptation, and hair length.
โ ๏ธ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ค๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฏ๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐
Because horses lose so many electrolytes in sweat, excessive sweating without proper replenishment can lead to dehydration, muscle fatigue, or even heat stroke. This is especially true in hot, humid weather or during intense training. This is where an electrolyte supplement can play a role.
โ
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ซ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ญ๐๐ฌ
Horses at maintenance or in light work should receive enough electrolytes in a diet with adequate forage and supplemental salt. As sweating increases due to increased exercise intensity, temperature, and/or humidity, salt or electrolyte consumption should increase.
A variety of electrolyte supplements are available and one should be selected that mimics the electrolytes lost in sweat, primarily containing sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), and potassium (K). Electrolyte supplements with a high sugar content should be avoided as the electrolytes become too diluted. Additionally, KER performed some studies that found adding dextrose or starch to electrolyte mixes does not increase rate of absorption or retention of electrolytes in horses.
๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Horse sweat is more than just a sign of hard work, it's a vital survival mechanism. Since horses rely heavily on sweat to regulate their temperature, understanding how and why horses sweat helps us support their health, especially in the heat of summer.
Do you include electrolytes in your horseโs summer routine? I would love to hear your protocols!
Cheers,
Dr. DeBoer
McConaghy FF, Hodgson DR, Evans DL, Rose RJ. Effect of two types of training on sweat composition. Equine Veterinary Journal. 1995 May;27(S18):285-8.
Spooner HS, Nielsen BD, SCHOTT II HC, Harris PA. Sweat composition in Arabian horses performing endurance exercise on forageโbased, low Na rations. Equine Veterinary Journal. 2010 Nov;42:382-6.
https://ker.com/equinews/electrolyte-supplementation-horses-no-benefit-include-sugar/
