Sodium (Na) - horses
Sodium within the forage influences the performance (for example labour and gestation) and appetite of the horse while sodium affects the condition of the nerves and muscle impulses within the equine body. Nevertheless, sodium affects the water holding capacity within the equine body. Through excessive sweating of the horse, the horse can lose a lot of sodium.
A sodium deficiency within the equine body can be expressed by less sweat and poor performance, excessive licking behaviour, constipation, eating less, dry and stiff skin, and muscle cramps. In extreme cases, the horse can eventually stop eating or can show signs of a disturbance of the muscular and nervous system.
An excess of sodium within the equine diet can also lead to a decrease in feed intake but also causes an increase in blood pressure within the body when an excess of sodium is combined with limited water intake.