Electrolyte balance and hydration are fundamental to horse health and welfare during exercise and transport. Understanding these needs prevents avoidable suffering.
Electrolyte and hydration management affects everyday welfare for horses in work and represents a critical safety and welfare issue during prolonged exercise and transport. Dehydration causes progressive dysfunction — from reduced performance and increased fatigue to muscle cramps, exhaustion, and in severe cases, organ failure. The endurance horse is the extreme case, but any horse worked in hot conditions or transported over long distances faces clinically significant fluid and electrolyte losses that must be managed. The fundamental provision of clean water at all times is a welfare non-negotiable; ensuring horses drink from unfamiliar sources during transport and competition requires active management strategies including flavouring water to mask differences or offering electrolytes to stimulate thirst.