The effects of feeding sodium chloride pellets on the gastric mucosa, acid-base, and mineral status in exercising horses.
Authors: Alshut Farina, Venner Monica, Martinsson Gunilla, Vervuert Ingrid
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
Electrolyte supplementation remains a contentious area in equine nutrition, with theoretical concerns about gastric mucosal damage outweighing limited empirical evidence in horses; Alshut Farina and colleagues addressed this knowledge gap by investigating whether sodium chloride pellets—dosed to replace losses in 10 litres of sweat—would compromise gastric integrity in 15 exercising Warmblood stallions over a 19-day treatment period using a placebo-controlled crossover design with endoscopic evaluation and comprehensive metabolic monitoring. The high baseline prevalence of gastric lesions (85%) did not worsen following NaCl supplementation, whilst blood acid-base and haematological parameters remained stable, though urinary analysis revealed expected physiological adaptations including significantly reduced creatinine concentration and increased sodium excretion. Practitioners can reassure clients that targeted electrolyte replacement via NaCl pellets represents a palatable, practical intervention without apparent mucosal risk, though the study's young, healthy population and relatively short supplementation window suggest caution in extrapolating findings to older horses, those with pre-existing gastric disease, or prolonged supplementation protocols. The data support sodium chloride pellets as a legitimate tool for maintaining electrolyte homeostasis in working horses, provided dosing aligns with documented sweat losses and general gastrointestinal health is assured.
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Practical Takeaways
- •NaCl pellets are a safe and palatable method for replacing electrolyte losses in exercising horses without risk of worsening gastric health
- •The high baseline prevalence of gastric lesions (85%) in young, healthy sport horses suggests this is a common condition independent of electrolyte supplementation strategies
- •Electrolyte supplementation can be confidently recommended for working horses without concern for iatrogenic gastric mucosal damage
Key Findings
- •85% of horses had baseline gastric mucosal lesions regardless of treatment group
- •NaCl pellet supplementation did not adversely affect gastric mucosa or cause exacerbation of existing lesions
- •Urine creatinine concentrations significantly decreased and urinary sodium concentrations significantly increased following NaCl supplementation
- •Treatment did not significantly alter hematologic variables, acid-base status, or serum biochemical parameters