Electrolytes - should I feed them after hunting?

[LuckyRed]

I've recently started hunting and wondered whether I should be adding some electrolytes to his feed/drink after hunting? It's difficult to add it to his drinks cos he lives out with an automatic water trough.

Any advice?

[Liz]

I hunted for years and never gave my horses electrolytes. They were absolutely fine and all lived and worked to fine old ages though I daresay that some horses might benefit from some - I do know quite a few people who would give their horses salt in their feed after hunting. I have to say that diet has changed a bit in the last 10 years - it's about that long ago since I last went hunting.

[mags]

you could get some in syringes that would make it easier or in his feed

[welly]

I wouldn't think it was necessary really. Do put salt in his feed though.

[jennyb]

I looked into electrolyte feeding when Gazdag came over from Hungary. I found out that you should not force feed them, it's better to have an extra bucket of water with electrolytes in so that the horse can choose to drink that water if he feels he needs the electrolytes. Gazdag had electrolyte water available for about six weeks after he arrived, and he gradually drank less and less of it.

A good quote I remember from my research - electrolyte water will taste like nectar if you need it, but like an athlete's sweaty sock if you don't!!

You could put an extra bucket of water with electrolytes in it next to his trough in the field?

[donnalex]

I always keep a Rockies salt and mineral block in his feed trough and he takes a little bit twice a day with his feed plus he licks it as and when required.
A new horse recently moved onto ours and his owner put a part used black in his manger which he ate over about a week. After that he had another which has gone and now he leaves his new one alone, actually leaving some of his food around it.
We can only assume he has topped up what he needs from it and now it tastes bad or wrong because he is no longer deficient in the salt and minerals in it. Interesting that it has magnesium in it, obviously he does not need magnesium either.

[varkie]

We feed electrolytes as standard in the summer, tho we use a product called Electrosalts, by NAF. When the horses work extra hard or it is extra hot, & they sweat to excess, we up the level on a feed by feed basis. I think electrosalts can play an important part in a balanced diet in a horse in work.

[LuckyRed]

He has a bucket of simple systems salt in the field so I guess he can help himself to it if he feels he needs it

[arabmania]

tbh i wouldn't bother with electrolytes. i usually just add table salt into the feed after sweating which also encourages drinking.
during the endurance season , and whilst its warm weather, i add a little salt into each feed.