How To Prevent Dehydration in Your Horse

as early in an endurance ride or when you know the horse will be needing electrolytes. You may increase the blood sodium level and the horse may start drinking sooner as a result. If the weather is hot dont wait until the horse shows signs of dehydration before administering electrolytes. If you wait until the horse looks like it needs electrolytes it will have some level of dehydration by that time and less blood is available to the gut for normal function. Also if an electrolyte mix is given without an adequate amount of water the high concentration of ions may actually pull water into the gut and this takes more water out of the blood further dehydrating the horse. 
5. For endurance horses do not use an electrolyte supplement containing bicarbonate. Generally due to the sweat loss the horse is already alkalotic imbalanced pH and the bicarbonate would increase this. 
6. Once the event is over do not stop giving water with balanced electrolytes. The horse may still be sweating for some time after the event to reduce body temperature. It may be more important to get the electrolytes into the horse after the event and before the horse starts eating dry feeds and hay. If the horse consumes water only this will actually dilute the blood causing urination furthering water and electrolyte losses through the kidneys and lowering the blood electrolyte concentrations. If the horse is already dehydrated and low in potassium due to sweat losses then this condition can be worsened by feeding the horse large amounts of dry hay. The hay requires a lot of water for digestive enzymes and will pull water and potassium into the gut worsening the effects of dehydration. Allow the horse to drink water with electrolytes until satisfied before providing hay and feed i e. replace fluids and electrolytes first then provide the feed when possible.