Performance XL: Electrolytes is scientifically formulated to replace electrolytes lost in sweat during intense exercise or hot conditions. Trusted by elite equine athletes, Performance XL: Electrolytes helps to prevent dehydration, support athletic performance and promote post-exercise care.
Horses love how it tastes mixed in water or top-dressed on feed
Encourages water intake to combat dehydration and heat stress
Supports muscle repair and glycogen synthesis after exercise
Improves stamina during training and competition
Mad Barn Electrolytes is the only one that my Morgan pony actually likes... [It] assures me that my ponies are getting the dosages needed, especially in this volatile Florida weather
Candace Smith
Verified Customer
[My mare] drinks it once a day without any issue If feels so good to find a product that your horse likes and you know is safe. Thanks MadBarn for your quality products!
Cherissa Wrenn
Verified Customer
Picky horse approved. Use this for my dark bay TB who is very hot natured and sweats a lot.... makes me feel better knowing he is getting electrolytes during the summer
Raechel Kowalski
Verified Customer
I use Performance XL Electrolytes during a competition to keep Sunny on top of her game and stay hydrated during hot summer show days.
Korina McLean
Verified Customer
My mare is a very picky eater. Very difficult to get her to take any supplements. When I got these electrolytes, I thought, yeah right. O. M. G. She drink them right up and lick the bucket.
Monika Currier
Verified Customer
I've been adding this to their drinking water and they seem to really like it. My 20 year old mare isn’t sweating salt off her back anymore and all of them really enjoy the taste.
Susan Lamping
Verified Customer
She did 80 km in a humidex of 44C earlier today. She finished... in perfect metabolic and muscular condition. Keeping her well hydrated was essential and we depended on Mad Barn electrolytes...
Julie Tougas
Verified Customer
Great product! All my mares are enjoying this product during this hot, steamy summer. Thank you for your continued support.
Deb Pailey
Verified Customer
Excellent product. My horse was a bit suspicious of it in water but mixed in with her night mash, it was a hit. Definitely picked up her energy in the heat.
Cheryl Oickle
Verified Customer
Absolutely swear by the Performance XL Electrolytes! It’s peace of mind that my mare’s electrolyte levels are consistently in check and she’s able to perform at her best
Sarah McCullough
Verified Customer
Electolytes encouraged the horses to drink during our VERY hot summer even though they spent as much of the day in a shaded shed at their choice.
Susan Bunge
Verified Customer
Marty has been using these electrolytes a lot this summer due to this heat wave. He is sweating just being out in the paddock. It smells so good and he loves it!
Emma Russelo
Verified Customer
The horses drink much better, lick their feed dishes clean and no longer get back and essentially eat their salt blocks. This stuff smells so good I want to use it!!
Shauna McDaniel
Verified Customer
This was her first race using Mad Barn Performance XL electrolytes and she had a perfect day with all A’s and pluses on her vet scorecard and finished the race with a 44 pulse.
Wendy Benns
Verified Customer
My horses happily eat the performance XL electrolytes, and I feel better knowing they have what they need to deal with hot temps, even showing in the KY summer.
Christina Kaufman
Verified Customer
My horses are very picky when it comes to electrolytes, they won't drink any others. They love the XL electrolytes. They have no hesitation at all. The water is gone in seconds.
Keisha Foster
Verified Customer
Great quality electrolyte supplement. My horses love the taste, and they were extremely helpful in getting my herd through extended periods of brutal heat this summer!!
Catherine Cheney
Verified Customer
I couldn't believe how fast my mare put her head in the bucket of electrolytes dissolved in water! She absolutely LOVED the flavour of the electrolytes! Another excellent MAD BARN product!
Anne Mancell
Verified Customer
My horses are very picky when it comes to electrolytes, they won't drink any others. They love the XL electrolytes. They have no hesitation at all. The water is gone in seconds.
Keisha Foster
Verified Customer
We stand behind our products to provide the best nutrition for your horse. No fillers, just research-backed ingredients. If your horse doesn't love this product, our Customer Happiness team is here to help or give you a refund guaranteed.
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, is a water-soluble antioxidant that plays an essential role in protecting cells from oxidative stress and supporting connective tissue health. It acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine, and certain neurotransmitters, and it helps regenerate other antioxidants such as Vitamin E.
Horses are able to synthesize Vitamin C endogenously in the liver from glucose through the L-gulonolactone oxidase pathway. Under most conditions, this production is sufficient to maintain normal physiological levels. However, supplementation may be beneficial during periods of intense exercise, heat stress, illness, transportation, or aging, when hepatic synthesis or antioxidant demand may be compromised.
Fresh pasture is a natural source of ascorbic acid, while hay and stored feeds contain negligible amounts due to oxidation losses. Supplemental Vitamin C may help maintain immune competence and antioxidant balance in horses with limited pasture access or increased metabolic stress.
Calcium is a macromineral that plays essential roles in skeletal integrity, muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood clotting. Approximately 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in bones and teeth, where it works alongside phosphorus to maintain structural strength and mineral balance.
Within cells, calcium functions as a key signaling molecule, regulating enzyme activation, heart rhythm, and smooth and skeletal muscle contraction and relaxation. Maintaining optimal calcium status is particularly important for performance horses, lactating mares, and growing foals, whose physiological demands are increased.
Calcium citrate is an organic, highly bioavailable form of calcium produced by combining calcium carbonate with citric acid. It is more soluble than inorganic sources such as calcium carbonate or dicalcium phosphate, which can enhance absorption in the digestive tract, particularly when stomach acid levels are low. This form is gentle on the gastrointestinal system and well-suited for horses requiring supplemental calcium from easily absorbed, natural mineral and organic acid sources.
Magnesium is an essential macro-mineral involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions that regulate energy metabolism, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction. It supports bone integrity, cardiovascular function, and normal insulin sensitivity in horses.
In muscle tissue, magnesium contributes to relaxation following contraction, helping to maintain normal muscle tone and reducing the risk of cramping or tightness. It also plays a role in maintaining a calm temperament by supporting balanced nervous system activity, particularly in horses prone to stress or excitability.
Magnesium citrate is an organic, highly bioavailable form of magnesium that is well absorbed in the digestive tract. It provides an effective means of supporting optimal magnesium status, especially in horses with increased demands or suboptimal intake from forage. Compared to inorganic sources, magnesium citrate is more soluble and may be gentler on the digestive system, making it a preferred option for horses with sensitive digestion or higher performance requirements.
Potassium is an essential macro-mineral and the primary intracellular electrolyte in the horse’s body. It plays a key role in maintaining normal muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and fluid balance. Potassium also contributes to regulating acid–base equilibrium and supports normal cardiac rhythm during rest and exercise.
Forage is naturally rich in potassium, so horses consuming adequate amounts of hay or pasture generally meet their requirements. However, horses in heavy training, experiencing profuse sweating, or receiving diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix) may lose significant potassium through sweat and urine, increasing their dietary needs.
Low potassium intake can impair muscle and nerve function, leading to weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, and in severe cases, cardiac irregularities. Supplementation with potassium chloride can help restore balance and support optimal performance and recovery.
Sodium chloride (salt) provides two essential electrolytes — sodium and chloride — that are critical for maintaining fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction in horses. These minerals help regulate hydration, acid–base balance, and blood volume, particularly during periods of sweating, heat exposure, or strenuous exercise.
Sodium plays a primary role in maintaining normal nerve and muscle function, while chloride is involved in gastric acid production and overall electrolyte homeostasis. Together, they support proper digestion, cardiovascular stability, and the thirst response — all key to optimal performance and recovery.
Forage alone often provides insufficient sodium, so supplemental salt should always be available free-choice. Horses in moderate to heavy work or hot environments may require several ounces of added salt per day to replace sweat losses. Loose salt or electrolyte blends offer a reliable way to maintain hydration and prevent imbalances.
Vitamin E refers to a group of fat-soluble compounds with antioxidant properties, including alpha-, beta-, gamma-, and delta-tocopherols and tocotrienols. The most biologically active form in horses is α-tocopherol, particularly the natural d-α-tocopherol isomer.
This vitamin functions as a key component of the body’s antioxidant defense system, protecting cell membranes and muscle tissue from oxidative damage caused by free radicals generated during exercise or metabolic stress. Vitamin E also supports normal immune response, red blood cell stability, vascular integrity, and neuromuscular function.
Fresh pasture is the richest natural source of vitamin E, while levels decline rapidly in stored hay and grains. Horses without regular access to pasture, or those in intense training, may benefit from supplemental bioavailable forms to help maintain optimal antioxidant status and recovery capacity.
Consult with a nutritionist or veterinarian prior to use.
General Use: For hot, humid days and/or for each hour of work (depending on intensity and stress of work), mix 1–2 scoops into 4 liters (1 gallon) of water or mix into feed. Ensure free choice access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Competition / Performance: Preloading before physical activity: Mix two scoops (60 grams / 2 ounces) in 4 liters (1 gallon) of water, one to two hours before event.
Immediately following strenuous physical activity: Mix two scoops (60 grams / 2 ounces) in 4 liters (1 gallon) of water for each hour of work.
Warnings / Cautions:
For equine use only. Not for use in horses intended for food.
Not for use in pregnant/lactating horses.
Keep out of reach of children.
After use, keep tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Per gram serving
Nutrients
Value
Units
Per 60 g
Sodium
(act)
6.2
%
3.72
g
Potassium
(act)
5.1
%
3.06
g
Calcium
(act)
2
%
1.2
g
Magnesium
(act)
1
%
0.6
g
Vitamin E
(min)
2,000
IU / kg
120
IU
Ascorbic Acid
(min)
2,500
mg / kg
150
mg
Ingredients: Dextrose, sucrose, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium citrate, magnesium citrate, vitamin E, vitamin C, citric acid, and flavour.
Recommended Use: To help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance in heat-stressed, sweating and/or exercising horses.
Manufactured and registered by: Mad Barn Inc., Petersburg, ON, Canada, N0B 2H0.
1 kg (2.2 lb): SKU 628055180234 5 kg (11 lb): SKU 628055180272 20 kg (44 lb): SKU 628055180289
Cost Calculator
Metric (kg)
Imperial (lb)
kg
grams
* Recommended serving size of 6 grams per 100 kg (220 lb) of body weight
Servings
Cost Per Day
Disclaimer: Recommended feeding rate varies depending on your horse's condition and current diet. Consult with a nutritionist to determine the appropriate inclusion rate for your horse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Performance XL: Electrolytes is scientifically formulated to replenish essential minerals lost in sweat during intense exercise or hot conditions. This supplement includes the correct balance of electrolyte minerals — sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium — to support fluid balance, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. It also contains antioxidant vitamins E and C to help reduce oxidative damage associated with strenuous work. The formula includes nutrients designed to enhance absorption, aid glycogen resynthesis, and promote rehydration. This makes Performance XL particularly useful for performance and endurance horses needing efficient recovery and hydration support.
Horses that benefit most from Performance XL: Electrolytes include those in regular training, competing under hot or humid conditions, or those that sweat heavily during work. Upper-level athletes, endurance mounts, or performance horses facing intense or prolonged exercise stress benefit greatly due to their greater fluid and mineral losses. This supplement is also beneficial for horses in hot or humid climates, or those that require additional nutritional support for hydration and proper sweating.
Performance XL: Electrolytes supports post-exercise recovery by replacing the key minerals lost through sweat—sodium, chloride, potassium, calcium, and magnesium—that are essential for maintaining fluid balance, muscle contraction, and nerve transmission. Replenishing these electrolytes helps supports normal muscle and metabolic function after strenuous work. This supplement also encourages water intake to support rehydration, which is critical for post-exercise care.
The formula also contains Vitamin E and Vitamin C, which act as antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals and support healthy muscle tissue following intense exercise. Added dextrose and sucrose enhance electrolyte absorption and aid glycogen resynthesis, helping replenish energy stores more efficiently. When given immediately after training or competition, Performance XL: Electrolytes promotes faster rehydration, supports muscle recovery, and helps horses maintain optimal performance in subsequent workouts.
Yes. The sodium in Performance XL: Electrolytes helps stimulate thirst and encourages voluntary water intake, which supports proper rehydration after exercise. Horses can lose significant amounts of fluid through sweat, and it is generally recommended that they drink the equivalent of about 150% of the body weight lost through sweating to fully restore hydration levels. For example, a 500 kg (1100 lb) horse may need to consume 20–30 litres of water after moderate work in warm conditions.
The palatable flavoring in Performance XL: Electrolytes also helps maintain a consistent taste when added to water, which can encourage horses to drink more readily, especially when travelling or drinking from unfamiliar water sources. This makes it a useful supplement for performance and competition horses that need to stay hydrated and maintain electrolyte balance on the road.
Electrolytes are minerals that carry an electric charge and are critical for maintaining fluid balance, nerve impulses, muscle contractions, pH regulation, and nutrient transport between cells. Key electrolytes include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium — all of which are components of Performance XL: Electrolytes.
Signs of electrolyte deficiency in horses can include decreased appetite, excessive licking of soil or other objects, lethargy, muscle weakness or cramping, less willingness to work, and an unsteady gait. As sodium is lost in sweat, horses may reduce water intake, which further worsens dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
Horses lose substantial quantities of sodium and other minerals through sweat during prolonged or intense work. The exact amount varies with workload, sweat rate, climate, and individual horse. To estimate how much your horse loses and how much to replace, use Mad Barn’s Electrolyte Calculator.
The amount of electrolytes your horse needs depends on several factors, including the intensity and duration of exercise, environmental temperature and humidity, and individual sweat rate. To estimate your horse’s fluid and mineral losses, use Mad Barn’s Electrolyte Calculator. This tool provides a science-based estimate of how much sweat and electrolytes are lost during work and how much should be replaced for optimal recovery. Adjust the feeding rate based on your horse’s hydration status, workload, and performance over time. Always ensure your horse’s overall diet is properly balanced and provides all essential vitamins and minerals in addition to any electrolyte supplementation.
Yes, Performance XL: Electrolytes is specifically formulated for enhanced palatability. It contains natural flavors along with small amounts of sugars to enhance taste and encourage intake. The palatable flavor also helps maintain a consistent taste profile when mixed into water, making horses more likely to drink even when travelling or drinking from unfamiliar water sources. Performance XL can also be top-dressed on feed, mixed into soaked mashes, or dissolved in water and syringed directly, depending on your horse’s preferences and routine.
The recommended feeding rate for Performance XL: Electrolytes is 30–60 g (1–2 scoops) per day, depending on workload, sweat loss, and environmental conditions. Horses in heavy training, hot climates, or under prolonged stress may require the higher end of this range. Electrolytes can be mixed with feed or dissolved in water.
General use: On hot or humid days, or for each hour of moderate work, mix 1–2 scoops (30–60 g) into 4 litres (1 gallon) of water or feed. Always ensure free-choice access to clean, fresh water.
Performance or competition: To support hydration before exertion, mix 2 scoops (60 g / 2 oz) in 4 litres (1 gallon) of water one to two hours prior to exercise. Immediately following strenuous activity, provide 2 scoops (60 g / 2 oz) in 4 litres (1 gallon) of water for each hour of intense work.
For a precise estimate of your horse’s electrolyte requirements based on workload, sweat rate, and temperature, use Mad Barn’s Electrolyte Calculator.
Performance XL: Electrolytes can be fed daily to horses in regular training or in hot, humid climates to help maintain hydration and electrolyte balance. For horses not in consistent work, it can be given after periods of heavy sweating, travel, or strenuous exercise to replace minerals lost in sweat.
Yes. Horses lose large amounts of sodium, chloride, potassium, and other minerals through sweat, particularly in hot or humid conditions. Feeding Performance XL: Electrolytes daily during warm weather helps replace these minerals, support fluid balance, and encourage consistent water intake. This is especially important for horses in regular work, as even mild dehydration can impact muscle function and performance. Always ensure your horse has free-choice access to plain salt and fresh water alongside electrolyte supplementation.
Yes, in cold weather, some horses drink less water, which can increase the risk of mild dehydration or impaction colic. Feeding Performance XL: Electrolytes alongside free-choice plain salt helps encourage consistent drinking and maintain proper hydration during winter months. Although horses sweat less in cooler conditions, they still require adequate sodium and other electrolytes to support normal fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle health. Mixing Performance XL into soaked feed or slightly warmed water can further promote intake and help ensure your horse stays hydrated year-round.
No, Performance XL: Electrolytes should be used in addition to daily salt intake. We recommend feeding an average-sized horse approximately 2 tablespoons (1 oz) of plain salt daily, and 3–4 tablespoons for performance horses. Performance XL: Electrolytes can then be top-dressed on feed or mixed in water when additional electrolyte support is required.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes can be top-dressed on your horse’s feed, mixed into soaked forage pellets or beet pulp, or dissolved in water. Always ensure fresh, plain water is available, as electrolytes stimulate thirst and hydration. The feeding method can be adjusted based on your horse’s preferences and management routine.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes can be administered by syringe for horses that are not consuming feed or water readily, such as during travel, competition, or recovery after intense exercise. This method ensures your horse receives the full dose of electrolytes needed to support hydration and recovery.
The feeding rate is the same whether given by syringe, mixed in feed, or dissolved in water. To administer by syringe, mix 1 oz (approximately 30 g or 1 scoop) of Performance XL: Electrolytes with water in a 60 cc syringe and give orally. Repeat as needed based on workload, sweat loss, and environmental conditions. Always ensure your horse has access to fresh water to allow proper rehydration.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes contains a small amount of dextrose and sucrose to improve the efficacy of the product. These simple carbohydrates enhance the absorption of electrolytes and water in the proximal small intestine, improving the rate and completeness of rehydration. They also help support glycogen synthesis and muscle recovery after exercise.
The sugar content in Performance XL is minimal compared to what horses naturally consume from forage. For example, an average horse may ingest several hundred grams of sugar per day from hay or thousands of grams from fresh pasture, whereas the amount in a standard electrolyte serving is only a few grams. This makes the sugar contribution negligible in the overall diet but highly effective in improving electrolyte uptake and hydration efficiency.
Yes. Each container includes a 30 g scoop for convenient daily measuring. Adjust the amount according to workload, sweating, and weather conditions.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes can be safely fed with Omneity, AminoTrace+, or other vitamin and mineral supplements. Electrolytes are designed to replace minerals lost through sweat and do not interfere with the balanced nutrient support provided by a complete supplement.
Performance XL: Electrolytes has a guaranteed shelf life of one year from the date of manufacture, printed on the package. Store sealed in a cool, dry environment away from heat, moisture, and debris to maintain product freshness and potency.
Performance XL: Electrolytes is not specifically recommended for pregnant or lactating mares, as the product has not been formally tested in these populations. While the ingredients are commonly used in nutritional products for horses, electrolyte needs for broodmares should be carefully managed under veterinary or nutritionist guidance.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes can be safely fed to growing horses when additional electrolyte support is required, such as during hot weather, training, or travel. Young horses lose electrolytes through sweat just like mature horses and may benefit from supplementation to maintain hydration and fluid balance. Always ensure they have access to fresh water and free-choice plain salt, and introduce any electrolyte gradually to encourage acceptance. Consult with a nutritionist to determine the optimal feeding rate based on your horse’s body weight.
Performance XL: Electrolytes contains small amounts of sugar (dextrose and sucrose) to promote electrolyte absorption and support muscle recovery in working horses. Because of this, it is not intended as the primary electrolyte source for metabolic horses with insulin resistance (IR), PPID (Cushing’s), or equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Small amounts may be used under veterinary or nutritionist guidance to encourage hydration after exercise, but plain salt remains the preferred daily electrolyte for these horses.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes is safe for horses with gastric ulcers. It contains balanced electrolyte levels without added irritants and can be top-dressed on feed or mixed into soaked mashes to help maintain hydration without causing stomach irritation.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes contains no prohibited substances and is competition-legal across all equestrian disciplines. However, rules can change, so always verify with your sport’s governing organization before competition.
Yes. Performance XL: Electrolytes can be safely used alongside most medications, including NSAIDs and Prascend® (pergolide). Electrolytes have no known drug interactions. Always consult your veterinarian if your horse is receiving prescription medications or has specific health conditions.
Ask A Question
Have a question about this product? Ask below and our nutritionists will be happy to assist.
Performance XL: Electrolytes Supports:
Athletic Performance
Hydration Status
Electrolyte Balance
Heat Tolerance
Post-Exercise Care
Physical Endurance
Muscle Function
Energy Metabolism
Competition Readiness
Circulatory Health
Hydration is key for the equine athlete to maintain top physical condition during events and even more importantly, recovering from strenuous exercise.
Mad Barn’s Performance XL: Electrolytes has been scientifically formulated to replace exactly what the horse loses through sweat during heat stress or strenuous exercise.
With an ideal blend of natural minerals and vitamins to support high performance and workout recovery, Performance XL: Electrolytes is used by top athletes at every level of equestrian competition.
As little as 1% dehydration in your horse can result in decreased brain and muscle function. If horses do not have adequate electrolyte levels, they limit water intake to maintain electrolyte balance, which may worsen dehydration.
You can effectively prevent dehydration and decreased performance by supplementing with Performance XL: Electrolytes. Don’t accept substitutes – go with the equine electrolyte that is based on science and proven to work!
How Performance XL: Electrolytes Works
Prolong Performance
Horses sweat a lot during exercise. Around 70% of the heat generated from exercise is lost via sweat evaporation. It is also common for a horse to sweat for several hours post workout. This contributes to substantial electrolyte loss, followed by fatigue and diminished performance.
Research shows that exercise duration can be greatly extended in horses with adequate electrolyte supplementation. Horses given a properly balanced electrolyte one hour prior to exercise have a 33% increase in time to fatigue due to improved hydration status and electrolyte balance.
Aid in Recovery
Drinking fluids with Performance XL: Electrolytes immediately after exercise not only provides necessary fluids, but nutrients that promote exercise recovery.
Sodium in the equine sports drink promotes fluid retention and carbohydrates promote glycogen resynthesis.
In order to fully hydrate during short-term recovery, equine athletes should drink the equivalent of 150% of the volume of body weight lost through sweating.
Performance XL: Electrolytes is the most effective solution for rehydrating your equine athlete after exercise. Scientifically formulated to replace exactly what is lost in sweat and promote faster recovery.
What’s inside Performance XL Electrolytes?
Sodium Chloride:
Sodium (salt) is a critical electrolyte that also helps maintain the physiological drive to drink, stimulating greater voluntary fluid intake
Potassium, Calcium & Magnesium:
These minerals all function as electrolytes that are vital for proper muscle contraction, fluid balance and nerve function
Help control acid/base balance and transport nutrients in and out of cells
Magnesium prevents muscle cramping & “tying up” in horses
Vitamin E & Vitamin C:
These vitamins are antioxidants that reduce oxidative tissue damage brought on by intense exercise
Dextrose & Sucrose:
Energy sources that enhance fluid and electrolyte absorption in the proximal small intestine
Stimulates the rate and completeness of rehydration
Boost glycogen synthesis
Citric Acid & Flavour:
Enhances palatability to stimulate intake and ease administration
You should always consult a qualified nutritionist before altering your feed program. Submit your horse’s diet for analysis online and one of our equine nutritionists will be happy to provide a complementary review.
Is Your Horse's Diet Missing Anything?
Identify gaps in your horse's nutrition program to optimize their well-being.
English
Omneity® Pellets 
Omneity® Premix 
Performance XL: Electrolytes 
AminoTrace+ 
Natural E/Organic Se 
OmegaPrime+ 
Vitamin E 
w-3 Oil 
Athletic Performance
Hydration Status
Electrolyte Balance
Heat Tolerance
Post-Exercise Care
Physical Endurance
Muscle Function
Energy Metabolism
Competition Readiness
Circulatory Health
