Louder Barrel Racing

Testing our balance in the saddle at the Kamas Fiesta Days

What does the ocean have to do with equine nutrition? Salt! We spent last week hanging out on beaches and swimming in the ocean. We tasted a lot of salt. The Kentucky Equine Research notes that in humans it is still debated as to whether we consume salt based on preference or need. Animals, including horses, consume salt based on need. Sodium is the only mineral that a horse will readily seek out and self regulate. Horses are unable to recognize other mineral deficiencies. Sodium is one of the primary solutes that helps move water in and out of the cells. Cells will actively move sodium across cell membranes to facilitate water movement. This is one of the mechanisms that triggers thirst; when people sweat we lose more water than salt causing us to drink. Unlike people, horse sweat is high in sodium as well making it important to replenish salts after workouts and drive water intake. Sodium is also important in helping nerves function properly. At rest, a horse requires 1-2 ounces of salt per day, but when exercising, this can double or triple. Extreme Equine Supplements contains between 0.4 and 0.7% sodium to help horses replenish their salt during these hot days and keep them drinking water.

After a week at basketball camp, we changed clothes, grabbed the horses and headed to the Weiser Valley Roundup. After the first performance, Clara is in 2nd place and Cora is sitting in 5th. Whether in rodeo, basketball, or soccer, we simply love to compete!

Monday means it’s time to look at what’s inside EES l Complete Horse Nutrition without Compromise. Today we are going to talk about the most important nutrient, and one that actually isn’t in EES.: water. Water makes up about 70% of a horse’s body weight. It plays a critical role in helping transport nutrients through the bloodstream and into the cells. Water also helps carry waste products back out of the body via the urine. In horses, joint supplements are often discussed, and while molecules such as methylsulfonylmethane and hyaluronic acid ( stay tuned, we will discuss these more in the future) play critical roles in the joint, water helps to provide both cushion and lubrication. Water also helps cool the horse off through sweat and respiration. Electrolytes are regulated by water which helps control nerve signals and muscle function. Without water, EES won’t be able to help out your horse so make sure your horse has plenty of clean fresh water to drink.

Rough day at the barrel jackpot. Onto the Weiser Valley Roundup Thursday night

Happy Independence Day! On our way to barrel race before celebrating with family.

Clara took River back from Cora for the jackpot and didn’t miss a beat winning the open and youth. She also competed on her pony Beauty in the peewee division placing second overall winning the 2D. By the end of the night, she had won $395.