Mythbuster Monday: Giving a Horse Loose Salt Is Better Than Electrolytes

On Mythbuster Monday, we tackle a variety of equestrian myths to either bust or confirm. Today’s discussion: Is adding loose salt rather than electrolytes better for the horse?

It’s Mythbuster Monday, where Horse Nation dives into different equestrian myths and provides research-based evidence to either bust or confirm those myths. Today’s topic: Is giving loose salt rather than electrolytes better for the horse? Are they different?  Which is better for hydration? Read further to find out!

Myth: Giving loose salt rather than electrolytes is better for the horse

Myth or Fact: Both

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Electrolytes are ions in the horse’s body derived from minerals. They maintain fluid balance and circulatory function. Electrolytes also facilitate muscle contractions, trigger never functions and help maintain acid-base balance. When horses sweat, it causes loss of electrolyte minerals including sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Signs of electrolyte imbalance include fatigue, poor performance, reduced sweating, decreased drinking, decreased eating, muscle tremors, and tying up. But, is adding loose salt rather than an electrolyte supplement better for the horse?

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According to an evidence-based article by Mad Barn, horses need electrolytes from their diet to replenish what they use on a daily basis. Horses that do not have a heavy work load or live in cooler climates usually maintain adequate levels of all electrolytes except sodium. For these horses, adding loose salt in the water is sufficient to balance their electrolyte requirements.

Horses in heavy exercise or those in hot climates sweat more, causing a more rapid depletion of electrolytes. While sweating is the primary way horses regulate their temperature, it also is the mechanism that depletes electrolytes the fastest. Based on a study, one hour of sweating loses 105 grams of chloride, 60 grams of sodium, 30 grams of potassium, 4.5 grams of calcium, and 1.5 grams of magnesium. This ultimately creates exercise intolerance, muscle weakness, and dehydration. For these horses, it’s best to replenish with an electrolyte supplement.

For horses with diarrhea, it’s determined that the primary electrolyte lost is sodium. For these horses, loose salt should be given. The main electrolyte lost for horses with frequent urination is potassium. An electrolyte supplement should be used in this instance.

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SmartPak also weighs in on the salt versus electrolyte matter. They write that pasture, hay, and fortified grain provide very little sodium chloride in the diet, making the horses come up short in sodium and chloride levels. According to a survey referenced in their article, 60% of horses aren’t receiving enough sodium. From a daily maintenance standpoint, salt should be provided to meet the daily requirement.

In the winter, horses should be given loose salt to meet the needs of the horse as well as encourage normal drinking. Horses drink less in the winter because they don’t prefer cold water. Supplementing with salt ensures they receive enough sodium and chloride and encourages drinking.

Electrolytes should be used for horses that are sweating more frequently. These supplements aid in balancing your horse’s mineral levels to help digestion and fluid balance. Electrolytes should also be provided over loose salt in times of high stress, such as long trailer rides, switching barns, or horse show weekends.

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Redmond Equine published an article discussing when to provide electrolytes versus loose salt. They state you can give a horse too many electrolytes. Dr. Jessica Huntington weighs in on the salt versus electrolyte myth. She states horses should be given electrolytes in eight situations:

  1. When they’re on the road traveling
  2. Pre-performance
  3. Post-performance
  4. Excessively sweating
  5. In humid climates
  6. During drastic weather changes
  7. When they’re colicking
  8. If they have diarrhea.

For any other situations, horses should be given loose salt.

Photo by Redmond Equine

After diving into the literature, whether to provide electrolytes or loose salt depends on an variety of factors. For everyday maintenance of a horse in light work, loose salt is the best option. For horses in heavy work or high stress environments, electrolyte supplements are the better option.

Always consult your veterinarian for your horse’s unique case and to come up with the best plan of action.


Do you have an equine myth you’d like us to tackle? If so, send it our way! Email your suggestions to [email protected]. Put Mythbuster Monday in your subject line.