But the water and electrolyte balance may affect performance, especially if horses must perform shortly after being transported. Encourage horses to drink before, during and after transporting. Having a supply of water they're familiar with is helpful. Using flavors in water or sport drinks may be beneficial to horses in hot weather. Sport drinks used by humans, if horses will drink them, may aid both in fluid and electrolyte intake.
Salt intake is also important before and after transport, especially in hot weather.
Give electrolytes an hour before or after performance and, if needed, just before or after transporting. Don't look now, but school just started again. If you haven't already done it, you'll soon be making an inventory of new clothes, notebooks, paper, pens and pencils. The last thing you want to do is pack an unsafe lunch that could cause a serious illness. Here's what your inventory for safe school lunches could include.