Electrolytes for Horses: When and How Much

Horses lose electrolytes in sweat, and the makers quoted here tie their use to sweating from work, heat and travel. Directions differ by product, and this guide quotes each maker's own rates without setting a dose for your horse. Ranvet and Kelato say to give access to clean, fresh water when you use their products, and Stance says to provide clean water.

What electrolytes are and what sweat takes out

Kelato's EnduraLYTE Paste page lists sodium, potassium, chloride, magnesium and calcium as the key electrolytes horses lose in sweat. Hygain's Regain page describes sodium and chloride as the major electrolytes of the body.

Sweat also removes water, and the two are linked. Kelato says horses lose equal amounts of electrolytes and water in their sweat. Their blood sodium rises only slightly, so they drink a little, but not enough to fully rehydrate, even after sweating profusely. Hygain's article on horse dehydration makes a similar point: excessive sweating can upset the balance of electrolytes and water in the blood, signalling to the horse that it does not need to drink when it does.

When the makers and articles say to use them

These points are about timing. Product directions follow.

  • Kelato says horses need electrolyte replacement when they have been sweating from work, travel, stress or hot, humid conditions.
  • Ranvet describes Salkavite as ideal for intense work, travelling, endurance or basic daily supplementation.
  • Hygain says Regain replaces body salts lost during exercise and hot climatic conditions.
  • Hygain's dehydration article says that show travel, new surroundings, feed and water taste can all lead a horse to cut back on water. It suggests starting electrolytes before the competition season to get the horse used to the taste, and considering year-round use.

Powders and pastes compared

Each maker's own form and directions are set out below. Where a rate is based on a 500kg horse, the maker says so.

  • Ranvet Salkavite, a powder. Ranvet calls it a highly palatable powder. Mix it through the feed with the measure provided (one level measure holds 30g), or add it to drinking water daily. Its rates are 30 to 60g daily for heavy work or endurance, depending on temperature, humidity and sweating rate, plus an extra 30g in the evening feed after hard work. For travelling horses, Ranvet gives 60 to 90g before the journey, plus 30g in water during transport.
  • Hygain Regain, dosed by scoop. Hygain's feeding guide, based on a 500kg horse, uses a scoop of about 30g. It gives 30g per day for maintenance or light work, 60g per day for moderate or heavy work, and 90g per day for intense work or heavy sweat loss.
  • Kelato KelatoLYTE, top dressed on feed or made into a paste. Kelato says to top dress the feed with 30g for light sweating, 60g for moderate sweating and 90g for heavy sweating, based on a 500kg horse. It says not to add KelatoLYTE to drinking water. To make a paste, Kelato says to mix 30g with water or apple sauce, then mix that into the feed.
  • Kelato EnduraLYTE Paste, a 30g syringe. Kelato says it is designed to be mixed into the horse's feed. Its directions are counted in syringes: 1 syringe after exercise to stimulate thirst, 2 syringes after exercise to replenish electrolytes, and 1 syringe per day of travel for horses in transit. For heavy sweating, Kelato says to feed KelatoLYTE daily.
  • Stance Equitec OsmoPlex, a scoop added to feed. Stance says to add OsmoPlex to feed, split between morning and night feeds where possible, at one scoop (40g) per feed. In hot weather or after intensive exercise, Stance says to increase the night dose to two scoops (80g). It says to introduce OsmoPlex gradually over two weeks.
  • EAC osmo-lyte electrolyte replacer. EAC's page gives no feeding directions, so read the label.
  • EAC osmo-lyte rapid electrolyte paste. EAC describes it as its osmo-lyte ingredients in a gel form, with a blend of B-group vitamins. Its page gives no feeding directions, so read the label.

Kelato describes KelatoLYTE and EnduraLYTE Paste as non-swabbable, and says KelatoLYTE should be used in accordance with competition rules and regulations. Ranvet mentions use as a pre-saline drench, and Kelato describes an isotonic drench that it says should only be done under veterinary supervision. This guide does not cover how to give either, so speak to your vet first.

How to read the label

Makers state amounts on different bases, so compare like with like rather than converting.

  • Amounts and their basis. Ranvet lists active ingredients per kg, for example sodium 120g per kg. Kelato lists its ingredients per 30g, for example sodium 6.96g per 30g of KelatoLYTE. Hygain's analysis is also per 30g. Stance says each 80g daily dose of OsmoPlex contains over 50% sodium chloride.
  • Form and measure. Check whether the product is a powder, paste or gel, and how the maker measures a dose. Ranvet's level measure holds 30g, Hygain's scoop holds about 30g, Stance's scoop is 40g, and Kelato's EnduraLYTE comes in a 30g syringe.
  • B vitamins. B vitamins are named in the maker text for Ranvet Salkavite and EAC osmo-lyte rapid. Check the label of any other product before assuming it contains them.
  • Electrolytes and directions. Check which electrolytes are listed, and read the directions for your horse's weight and workload. Several makers base their rates on a 500kg horse, so ask your vet if you are unsure how a rate applies.

Fresh water and when to call your vet

Hygain's article says to make sure fresh water is there at all times, and suggests bringing water from home if your horse is picky.

Call your vet if your horse is off water, unwell, or showing colic-like signs. Do not try to manage those signs with a supplement.

Kelato says not to use electrolytes on dehydrated horses or horses that refuse to drink, and to contact your veterinarian. Hygain's article says to call the vet if a horse seems lethargic or has stopped eating. If your horse appears severely dehydrated, or you are concerned, always call a veterinarian.

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Frequently asked questions

Do horses need electrolytes?

Kelato says horses need electrolyte replacement when they have been sweating. Whether your horse needs them, and which product and rate suit it, is a question for your vet.

When should I give electrolytes?

Kelato points to sweating from work, travel, stress or hot, humid weather. Ranvet lists intense work, travelling, endurance and basic daily supplementation. Hygain's article suggests starting before the competition season and considering year-round use.

What is the difference between an electrolyte powder and a paste?

Ranvet Salkavite is a powder for feed or drinking water, measured by level measure. Kelato EnduraLYTE Paste comes in a 30g syringe and is designed to be mixed into feed. EAC describes osmo-lyte rapid as a gel form.

Can I add electrolytes to the water?

It depends on the product. Ranvet says Salkavite may be added to drinking water daily, but Kelato says not to add KelatoLYTE to drinking water. Hygain's article suggests adding electrolytes to one water bucket to try to encourage water uptake. Check the label first, and keep clean, fresh water at all times.

What should I look for on the label?

Check the amounts and their basis (per kg, per 30g or per 80g daily dose), whether it is a powder, paste or gel, and whether B vitamins are listed. Then follow the label directions for your horse's weight and workload.

Browse the full range in Horse Health & Supplements.

Sources

Product facts in this guide are taken from the manufacturers' own pages listed below and from the product listings on this site; general care points are given as practical guidance, not veterinary advice. Last reviewed 15 October 2026.

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