Omneity® Pellets
All-In-One Vitamin & Mineral Pellet
Topic:Water
The relationship between water and horses encompasses the study of hydration, water intake, and the physiological roles of water in equine health. Water is essential for maintaining various bodily functions in horses, including thermoregulation, digestion, and cellular processes. Horses require adequate water intake to support their metabolic needs and overall well-being. Factors influencing water consumption in horses include diet, environmental conditions, and activity levels. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the physiological importance of water, factors affecting water intake, and the implications of water balance on equine health and performance.
A comparison of grain, oil and beet pulp as energy sources for the exercised horse. High-grain diets for the exercising horse were compared with diets which provided 15% of the total caloric intake from either vegetable oil or a highly fermentable fibre source (beet pulp). Six Thoroughbreds age 3 years were fed one of 3 diets or 5 weeks in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square. The CONTROL diet was 3.65 kg of sweet feed (SF), 0.9 kg of a protein/vitamin/mineral pellet and 5.45 kg of hay cubes. The FAT diet replaced 1.15 kg of SF with 0.45 kg of soybean oil and the FIBRE diet replaced 1.15 kg of SF with 1.36 kg of beet pulp. Horses were exercised 3 times per week on a high-speed tre...
The effect of dietary fibre on hydration status after dehydration with frusemide. Three diets were fed to 6 horses in a 3 x 6 Latin rectangle experiment to determine if dietary fibre could improve hydration status in response to dehydration with frusemide. Frusemide was used to simulate dehydration from exercise-induced sweat loss. Diets contained similar dry matter (DM), energy, protein and electrolyte content, but differed in total dietary fibre (TDF) and/or soluble fibre (SDF). The 3 diets were: 1) HIGH-HIGH (high TDF, high SDF); 2) HIGH-LOW (high TDF, low SDF); and 3) LOW-LOW (low TDF, low SDF). In each 10 day period, water intake and faecal moisture content were assess...
Electrolyte and glycerol supplementation improve water intake by horses performing a simulated 60 km endurance ride. To replace electrolytes lost in sweat during endurance competitions, riders frequently supplement horses with hypertonic oral electrolyte pastes. To determine whether this practice and concurrent administration of the so-called hyperhydrating substance glycerol are of benefit, weight loss, voluntary water intake, plasma osmolality, and plasma protein and electrolyte concentrations were measured in 6 Arabian horses supplemented with a total of 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (W); 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg bwt of water (E); or 0.2 g/kg bwt KCl and 0.4 g/kg bwt NaCl in 2.4 ml/kg ...
Effects of electrolyte and glycerol supplementation on recovery from endurance exercise. Incomplete recovery from endurance exercise after an overnight rest period is reflected by persisting weight loss and an elevated plasma aldosterone concentration, even in successful competitors. To determine whether supplementation with high doses of electrolytes, with or without glycerol, enhances recovery, the following were measured in 6 Arabian horses before and after completion of a 60 km treadmill exercise test simulating an endurance ride and after 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of recovery: bodyweight; plasma osmolality; plasma concentrations of protein, electrolytes, aldosterone and cortisol; ...
The effects of timing and amount of forage and grain on exercise response in thoroughbred horses. There is considerable debate among horsemen about how to feed horses before exercise. Should horses be fed or fasted before work and when should hay be fed relative to grain and/or exercise? Three experiments were conducted to evaluate if feeding hay with and without grain affects glycaemic and haematological responses in Thoroughbred (TB) horses at rest and during a simulated competition exercise test (CET) on a high-speed treadmill. In Experiment 1, 6 TB horses were fed hay at 3 different times relative to a grain meal. Time of feeding hay affected glycaemic response, plasma protein and wate...
Electrolyte vs. glucose-electrolyte isotonic solutions for oral rehydration therapy in horses. An isotonic electrolyte solution with a composition similar to equine sweat was compared to an isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution for oral rehydration therapy in exercising horses. Ten horses were dehydrated by using frusemide and allocated randomly to receive 4 different oral solutions: isotonic sweat-like electrolyte solution, half-strength hypotonic electrolyte solution, isotonic glucose-glycine-electrolyte solution, and plain water. Solutions were given by nasogastric tube using the same volume as the bodyweight lost by each horse. Blood samples were collected before and through...
Clinical, biochemical, and hygiene assessment of stabled horses provided continuous or intermittent access to drinking water. To compare health, hydration status, and management of stabled pregnant mares provided drinking water continuously or via 1 of 3 intermittent delivery systems. Methods: 22 Quarter Horse (QH) or QH-crossbred mares and 18 Belgian or Belgian-crossbred mares (study 1); 24 QH or QH-crossbred mares and 18 Belgian or Belgian-crossbred mares (study 2). Methods: Stabled horses were provided water continuously or via 1 of 3 intermittent water delivery systems in 2 study periods during a 2-year period. Body temperature, attitude, appetite, water intake, and urine output were recorded daily. Hygiene of ea...
Behavior of stabled horses provided continuous or intermittent access to drinking water. To compare quantitative measures and clinical assessments of behavior as an indication of psychologic well-being of stabled horses provided drinking water continuously or via 1 of 3 intermittent delivery systems. Methods: 22 Quarter Horse (QH) or QH-crossbred mares and 17 Belgian or Belgian-crossbred mares (study 1) and 24 QH or QH-crossbred mares and 18 Belgian or Belgian-crossbred mares (study 2). Methods: Stabled horses were provided water continuously or via 1 of 3 intermittent water delivery systems in 2 study periods during a 2-year period. Continuous 24-hour videotaped samples were used...
Effects of feeding frequency and voluntary salt intake on fluid and electrolyte regulation in athletic horses. The effect of feeding frequency and voluntary sodium intake (VSI) on fluid shifts and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were studied at rest and after exercise in six athletic horses. The horses were fed twice a day (2TD) and six times a day (6TD) for 25 days for each protocol, according to a changeover design. VSI was measured by weighing each horse's salt block daily. Feeding 2TD or 6TD caused no major alterations in fluid shifts, but in the 2TD treatment there was a postprandial increase in plasma protein concentration and osmolality that lasted <1 h. PAC and VSI were not affected b...
Exploring the possible functions of equine hoof wall tubules. Possible functions of equine hoof wall tubules were investigated in this study. Hydration tests were conducted on blocks of hoof wall tissue in order to test the hypothesis that hollow tubules facilitate the conduction of water vapour distally. Although water loss or gain was inhibited through the outer wall surface, the increase in surface area provided by medullary spaces was ineffective in facilitating hydration through the face with exposed tubule ends. Rather, hollow tubules appear to allow for a higher dehydration rate through their exposed ends. Analysis of medullary space indicates tha...
Water and electrolyte intake and output in conditioned Thoroughbred horses transported by road. The objectives of this trial were to measure the water and electrolyte intake and loss, of horses during road transportation in relatively hot environmental conditions. Six mature, Thoroughbred horses in full training were used in a balanced crossover design. The horses were conditioned on a treadmill for 6 weeks before the start of the trial in order to simulate the type of horse that is transported most often over long distances in South Africa. The horses were assigned randomly to one of 2 treatment groups. On a particular day 3 horses were transported, while the other horses served as cont...
Rehydration following exercise: effects of administration of water versus an isotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS). The effects of administering (1) 6L isotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS), similar in composition to plasma (except for an elevated potassium concentration) and with an osmotic skeleton and (2) 6L water (no osmotic skeleton), were evaluated in five thoroughbred horses following exercise-induced dehydration. The horses were exercised on a treadmill for 10 min at walk (1.7 m.s-1; approximately 15% VO2max), 40 min at trot (3.7 m.s-1; approximately 25% VO2max) and 10 min at walk (1.7 m.s-1; approximately 15% VO2max). Exercise was undertaken on a 3 degrees incline at 30 degrees C/80% RH. Solutio...
Effects of concentrated electrolytes administered via a paste on fluid, electrolyte, and acid base balance in horses. To test effectiveness of an electrolyte paste in correcting fluid, electrolyte and acid base alterations in response to furosemide administration. Methods: 6 Standardbreds. Methods: Horses received electrolyte paste or water only (control). The paste was given orally 3 hours after furosemide administration (1 mg/kg of body weight, IM). Water was given ad libitum soon after the paste and 3 hours after furosemide administration to treated and control groups, respectively. Paste Na+, K+, and Cl- composition was approximately 2,220, 620, and 2,840 mmol, respectively. The PCV and plasma concentrati...
Hydration effects on physiological strain of horses during exercise-heat stress. This study examined the effects of hyperhydration, exercise-induced dehydration, and oral fluid replacement on physiological strain of horses during exercise-heat stress. On three occasions, six horses completed a 90-min exercise protocol (50% maximal O2 uptake, 34.5 degrees C, 48% relative humidity) divided into two 45-min periods (exercise I and exercise II) with a 15-min recovery between exercise bouts. In random order, horses received no fluid (NF), 10 liters of water (W), or a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution (CE) 2 h before exercise and between exercise bouts. Compared with NF, preexerc...
Changes in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide concentration in exercising horses in relation to hydration status and exercise intensity. To investigate effects of hydration status and exercise intensity on plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentration in exercising horses. Methods: 4 trained Standardbreds. Methods: Horses performed a 40-minute exercise test at 65 to 70% maximal heart rate (HRmax; no incline) and a 12-minute test at approximately 90% HRmax (3.5 degrees incline). The 40-minute test was performed with ad libitum access to drinking water (normohydration), after water had been withheld for 24 hours (dehydration), and 30 minutes after 12 L of water at body temperature had been given via nasogastric tube (hype...
Treatment of exercise-induced dehydration. One of the most common consequences of prolonged exercise is fluid and electrolyte depletion. Fluid and electrolyte losses during exercise may limit the horse's performance and, in extreme cases, jeopardize its health. To avoid or treat the deleterious effects of dehydration, fluid and electrolyte supplementation is essential. This article provides recommendations for fluid and electrolyte supplementation for horses involved in endurance-related events.
Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balances in three-day, combined-training horses. Horses competing in 3-day, combined-training events develop a metabolic acidosis that is partially compensated for by a respiratory alkalosis immediately after phases B and D. By the end of phase C and 30 minutes to 2 hours after phase D, the acidosis is resolved by the oxidation of lactate, and a metabolic alkalosis prevails. A reduction in TBW and cation content occurs, which often is not replenished 12 to 24 hours after the event, even though the serum or plasma concentration of various constituents may be within normal limits. Hypochloremia and hypocalcemia, however, may persist 12 or more...
Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base responses to exercise in racehorses. During both high-intensity and short-distance exercise, the high rate of expended energy is met by anaerobic oxidation of glucose to lactic acid; this is the main cause of metabolic acidosis observed during racing. In addition, plasma volume decreases because water moves from the vasculature to the intracellular and interstitial spaces at the onset of intense exercise. These fluid shifts, together with active ion-exchange between blood and tissue, cause marked changes in electrolyte concentrations. This article reviews the mechanisms of acid-base disturbances, fluid shifts, and electrolyte cha...
Physiology of body fluids in the horse. This article presents a brief overview of the physiology of homeostasis in the horse and discusses the units of measurement by which dissolved electrolytes are assessed. Differences in electrolyte composition between compartments of the body and the manner in which water is exchanged between them are reviewed. The mechanisms by which alterations in osmolality and effective circulating volume are detected and the physiological responses to those alterations are presented.
Solvent effects on horse apomyoglobin dynamics. The effects of the solvent conditions (buffer pH 9, 8, or 7 or buffer pH 6.5 alone or mixed with 3.2% ethanol or 6.2% formamide) on the protein dynamics of horse apomyoglobin were investigated through tryptophan fluorescence quenching, spectra, and decay properties. Raising the pH (which induces discontinuous protein conformation changes) increases the structural fluctuations inside the hydrophobic A, G, and H helix core. Mixed solutions containing either 3.2% ethanol or 6.2% formamide (which redistribute water molecules on the protein surface) produce protein dynamics changes in the vicinity ...
Stress responses of horses during a long period of transport in a commercial truck. To characterize progressive patterns of dehydration, stress responses, and water consumption in horses transported long distances in hot weather and to evaluate various measurements in detecting dehydration and stress in transported horses. Methods: Prospective study. Methods: 30 mature, healthy horses. Methods: The following 4 treatment groups were studied: horses that were penned and offered water every 5 hours (n = 5), horses that were penned and not offered water (5), horses that were transported in a truck and offered water every 5 hours (10), and horses that were transported and not offe...
Post exercise changes in compartmental body temperature accompanying intermittent cold water cooling in the hyperthermic horse. Whereas the efficacy of cold water cooling of horses has been demonstrated by several studies, the dynamics of temperature changes within and between compartments (primarily muscle, blood [core], skin and deep core [rectal]) have not been investigated. Changes in body temperature associated with cold water cooling were investigated in the hyperthermic horse. Muscle (TMU), pulmonary artery (TPA), rectal (TREC), tail-skin (TTSK) and coat surface (TCOAT) temperatures, were monitored continuously in 5 Thoroughbred horses during and after exercise in hot humid (30 degrees C and 80% RH) conditions o...
Effects of administration of water versus an isotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS) at rest and changes during exercise and recovery. The administration of 41 of an isotonic, plasma-like oral rehydration solution (ORS) with an osmotic skeleton and 41 of water (water; no osmotic skeleton), were evaluated in five thoroughbred horses. Solutions were administered by nasogastric tube 4 h after feeding. Uptake of deuterium, concentrations of plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, total protein and packed cell volume, pH, PCO2, HCO3-, total CO2, actual base excess, standard base excess, plasma volume and weight loss were assessed both at rest, and during and after exercise on a treadmill. Each horse underwent four experimenta...
Risk factors associated with the likelihood of leptospiral seropositivity in horses in the state of New York. To determine and quantify risk factors associated with exposure of horses to the following serovars of Leptospira interrogans: pomona, autumnalis, and bratislava. Methods: 2,551 horses were randomly selected from a target population during the period of May 1991 to August 1993. Methods: Blood was collected from the horses and tested for antibodies to serovars, using the microscopic agglutination test. A titer > or = 1:100 indicated seropositivity. Information was collected on each horse, its environment, and each farm's management practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop ...
Measurement of total body water content in horses, using deuterium oxide dilution. To measure total body water (TBW) content in horses, using deuterium oxide (D2O) dilution. Methods: Six 8- to 10-year-old healthy untrained mixed-breed horses, weighing (mean +/-SD) 503.4 +/- 64.0 kg. Methods: After a 12-hour nonfeeding period, 6 horses were given D2O (0.14 g/kg of body weight) via nasogastric tube. Blood samples were collected from a preplaced indwelling jugular vein catheter prior to and 1 to 8, 10, 12, 14, and 24 hours after administration of D2O. Blood samples were centrifuged immediately, and plasma was collected and stored at -70 C until analysis. The D2O content in plas...
Rate and composition of sweat fluid losses are unaltered by hypohydration during prolonged exercise in horses. Rate and ionic composition of sweat fluid losses and partitioning of evaporative heat loss into respiratory and cutaneous components were determined in six horses during three 15-km phases of exercise at approximately 40% of maximal O2 uptake. Pattern of change in sweat rate (SR) and composition was similar during each phase. SR increased rapidly for the first 20 min of exercise but remained at approximately 24-28 ml . m-2 . min-1 during the remainder of each phase. Similarly, the concentrations of Na and Cl in sweat increased until 30 min of exercise but were unchanged thereafter. Sweat osmol...
Diseases and surgery of the cecum. The cecum is an important site of water and electrolyte absorption, as well as microbial digestion of soluble and insoluble carbohydrates. These functions of the cecum and ascending colon require that ingesta be mixed constantly and retained long enough to complete the digestion of cellulose. Parasites, changes in regional blood flow, diet, and various pharmacologic agents are associated with alterations in normal cecal motility patterns.
The effects of ischemia and reperfusion on mucosal respiratory function, adenosine triphosphate, electrolyte, and water content in the ascending colon of ponies. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the biochemical integrity of equine colonic mucosa to assess the relative roles of ischemic- and reperfusion-induced damage. Methods: Two hours of no-flow ischemia experimentally induced by 720 degrees counterclockwise ascending colon volvulus followed by 2 hours reperfusion after derotation. Methods: Ten ponies. Methods: Ascending colon biopsies were obtained every hour for measurement of mucosal adenosine triphosphate (ATP), water, sodium, and potassium content. Additional samples were homogenized for assay o...
Use of dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water losses to determine sweating rates in exercising horses. To compare dew-point hygrometry, direct sweat collection, and measurement of body water loss as methods for determination of sweating rate (SR) in exercising horses. Methods: 6 exercise-trained Thoroughbreds. Methods: SR was measured in 6 horses exercising at 40% of the speed that elicited maximum oxygen consumption for 45 km, with a 15-minute rest at the end of each 15-km phase. Each horse completed 2 exercise trials. Dew-point hygrometry, as a method of local SR determination, was validated in vitro by measurement of rate of evaporative water loss. During exercise, local SR was determined ev...
Outbreak of dermatophilosis in a horse herd in israel. A retrospective study of an outbreak of dermatophilosis in a herd of 18 adult horses and 13 foals, in Israel, is presented. To the best of our knowledge this is the first time such an outbreak has been reported from a country in the Mediterranean climatic zone. This outbreak might be associated with exposure of the horses to water and humidity as a result of excessive rainfall in November 1994, as well as intensive washing of the horses and a long period spent by the animals in a marshy manege.
