Research Suggests More Fiber Can Combat Equine Dehydration
As temperatures at racetracks around the country rise, a British equine nutritionist suggests that the key to combating dehydration in horses may be found in the tag on their bag of grain.
Clare Barfoot, nutritionist for Winergy Equilibrium feeds, tells HorseTalk New Zealand that an increase in fiber can combat water loss by operating to increase fluid retention in the horse's hindgut, giving the horse more to draw upon during exercise. Nutritional fiber forms an interlocking matrix that traps and holds onto moisture. It's estimated that the hindgut can contain 35-80 liters (9-21 gallons) of water and electrolytes while a horse works out.
Dehydration is of course, worse in higher temperatures and humidity levels, not only because the horse sweats, but also due to the moisture lost through their respiratory system.
Barfoot said that as little as a 2 percent dehydration level has been shown to negatively impact performance.
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