Tag Archives: sodium

Topping Off Hay Diets

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

Hay is just dried grass and grass is the horse’s natural food so it shouldn’t need any supplementation – right? Wrong. Variety is a major difference between the diet of feral horses and that of  domesticated horses fed hay.  The … Continue reading →

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Satisfying Salt Hunger

Posted on September 22, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

It’s a perennial question. Can a horse meet his salt needs from a salt block?  In a way, it’s a trick question.  There is more than enough salt there to meet the horse’s needs.  The real question is will the … Continue reading →

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Electrolyte Problems in Endurance Horses

Posted on July 10, 2020 by Dr. Kellon

Electrolyte problems in the heat are directly proportional to sweat loss so it makes perfect sense that horses working long periods are at greatest risk.  This puts the spotlight on endurance horses. Australian endurance horse champion Omani Mr. Squiggle owned … Continue reading →

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The Right Way to Supplement Electrolytes

Posted on July 13, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Once you know the basics, it’s not that difficult to supplement electrolytes correctly but many people don’t know how and it’s taking more of a toll than is realized. Even mild dehydration can have a major effect on performance Electrolytes … Continue reading →

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(Some of) The Worst Persistent Myths Out There

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Dr. Kellon

Horses can’t get all the salt they need from a lick because they don’t have rough tongues. Cows do have rougher tongues but that has nothing to do with getting salt from a lick/block.  If their tongues were rough enough … Continue reading →

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Salt to the Rescue

Posted on June 24, 2018 by Dr. Kellon

I do some version of this post every year for good reason.  At the least it will safeguard your horse’s well being and performance in the heat.  At best it could save his life. Sweating is the horse’s major mechanism … Continue reading →

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The Most Underappreciated Performance Enhancer

Posted on July 16, 2017 by Dr. Kellon

It’s free too.  Next to air, this is the single most important factor in supporting good performance and maximizing response to training and conditioning.  Water. The horse’s body is about 70% water.  From brain functioning to the cushion of joint … Continue reading →

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Electrolyte Supplements

Posted on June 7, 2017 by Dr. Kellon

If you are thinking ahead to the imminent summer heat by looking at electrolyte supplements, good for you.  Horses lose massive amounts of electrolytes (and water) in sweat, putting them at high risk for dehydration, impaired performance, heat stroke, GI … Continue reading →

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Designer Salt

Posted on March 16, 2017 by Dr. Kellon

Salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), is arguably the most important mineral.  Animal life is believed to have emerged from the sea. Blood has many similarities to sea water, including a high concentration of sodium and chloride.                                                              Salts of many colors … Continue reading →

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Flagging Energy

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Dr. Kellon

A common concern this time of year is horses that lack energy for exercise.  There are no apparent health or lameness issues but the horse is either “flat” or starts out well but hits a wall that is at a … Continue reading →

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