Abstract

Horses lose large amounts sodium (Na) through sweat during exercise. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of a low or high daily Na intake on recovery after exercise. Four trained horses were fed a diet unsupplemented (low) or supplemeneted with 0.18 g NaCl/kg bwt/day (high) for three weeks each, in a change over design. There was no retention of Na on the high Na diet. The plasma volume was reduced on the low Na diet, indicating that Na balance was challenged. In addition, the horses on the low diet were not able to reduce faecal Na losses following exercise although aldosterone levels were high (3498+/-568 ρmol/l), indicating that the faecal excretion was already maximally reduced. Twentyfour hours after an exercise test (bwt loss of 11-15,5 kg) three out of four horses on the high diet had regained their pre-exercise body weight whereas on the low Na diet only one horse had revovered. In conclusion, this study shows that three weeks without Na supplementation may reduce the plasma volume and delay the recovery after exercise in endurance trained horses

Published in

Publisher: 22nd Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists

Conference

22nd Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists

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