Treatments Affecting Fluid and Electrolyte Status During Exercise

Effect of seven common supplements on plasma electrolyte and total carbon dioxide concentration and strong ion difference in Standardbred horses subjected to a simulated race test

“…Schott and Hinchcliff 11 have recently demonstrated how the ingestion of large amounts of sodium bicarbonate can induce metabolic acidosis both through the change in plasma bicarbonate concentration and through changes in the strong ion difference. The former can be viewed through calculations using the Henderson-Hasselbach equation, a method classified by many as qualitative in its approach to understanding the cause of a metabolic alkalosis.…”

“…One major concern for the racing industry has been the impact of substances that have the potential to exert an effect upon strong ion difference and thus acid-base status 10,11 . Such substances include a large number of electrolyte supplements given to horses to counter the loss of key salts in sweat following intense exercise 10,11 .…”

“…Such substances include a large number of electrolyte supplements given to horses to counter the loss of key salts in sweat following intense exercise 10,11 . Electrolyte supplements are mixtures of essential physiological salts commonly administered to horses for the purpose of replacing inorganic sweat losses 10 .…”

“…Due to the fact that electrolyte supplements contain strong ions naturally present in horse plasma (namely, sodium, potassium and chloride), the question exists (New Jersey Racing Commission vs Campbell, 1997) as to whether or not such products significantly affect internal acidbase balance in accordance with Stewart's quantitative theory 12,13 . The ionic character of electrolyte supplements suggests their potential to alter plasma SID and thus bicarbonate concentration as a result of the variation in charge equilibrium that may be precipitated via electrolyte administration 10,11,14 .…”

Drinking salt water enhances rehydration in horses dehydrated by frusemide administration and endurance exercise

“…Although there have been a number of studies designed to assess treatments used to attenuate or correct dehydration in horses (Schott and Hinchcliff 1998;Marlin et al 1998a,b;Sosa León et al 1998;Düsterdieck et al 1999;Monreal et al 1999;Schott et al 2001Schott et al , 2002, most investigations have studied 'forced' hyperhydration or rehydration by administering solutions via a nasogastric tube or use of oral electrolyte pastes to stimulate drinking. In contrast, there has been little study of voluntary rehydration in which horses are allowed to drink solutions of varying composition.…”