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Mineral Needs for Exercising Horses
David W. Freeman OSU Extension Equine Specialist
The need for additional minerals in rations
formulated for exercising horses is largely related to the increased
needs for bone development resulting from the stress of training and to
replace minerals lost in sweat.
Bone tissue goes through large changes after training programs are first
initiated. Measurements of bone strength and compounds that indicate
bone is actively increasing and/or decreasing mineral content indicate
that bone actually loses some of its strength one to three months after
a training program is first started. These changes may increase need for
minerals, especially calcium, by as much as 35 to 40% over what has been
recommended in the past.
Horses can produce large amounts of sweat. Sweat contains appreciable
amounts of sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium and magnesium. As such,
recommendations call for increases in intake of these minerals for
horses in hot, humid environments or exercise that promote sweating.
The need for additional salt (sodium chloride) is of most concern. Salt
should be added at the 0.5% level to grain mixes formulated for
exercising horses. Also, exercising horses should be allowed access to
trace mineralized salt blocks. These salt blocks contain small amounts
of additional minerals such as magnesium, iron and potassium.
Some types of intense, prolonged work such as endurance riding may
necessitate oral supplementation with liquid or paste electrolyte
mixtures. These mixes usually contain small amounts of
magnesium-containing compounds like magnesium sulfate, and larger
amounts of sodium and potassium. With any increased intake of minerals,
water intake becomes more necessary. So, make sure the horse is drinking
plenty of water.
Recommended Mineral Concentrations in Total Rations for Exercising
Horses
Sodium, %
0.1 for maintenance
0.3 for exercise
Sulfur, %
0.15 for maintenance
0.15 for exercise
Iron, mg/kg (ppm)
40 for maintenance
40 to 50 for exercise
Calcium, %
0.2 for maintenance
0 .30 to 0.40 for exercise
Phosphorus, %
0.15 for maintenance
0 .20 to 0.30 for exercise
Magnesium, %
.08 for maintenance
0 .1 to 0.14 for exercise
Potassium, %
0 .27 for maintenance
0 .30 to 0.40 for exercise
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