Pure ReFuel for Horses: Hydration and Recovery in Hot Weather

Hot weather, hard exercise and travel can all increase sweat losses. Cooling and fresh drinking water come first; where electrolyte and recovery support is appropriate, Pure Feed ReFuel provides it in a quick-soaking mash.

This is a targeted recovery feed, not a replacement for the horse’s normal forage and balanced ration.

What horses lose in sweat

Sweat contains water and electrolytes, particularly sodium and chloride, as well as potassium and smaller amounts of other minerals. The amount lost varies with the temperature, humidity, workload, fitness and the individual horse.

Provide fresh, plain water at all times. If electrolytes are offered in water, a separate source of plain water should also remain available. A horse showing weakness, confusion, very rapid breathing, collapse or failure to recover needs urgent veterinary attention.

Our guides to horse care in a heatwave and electrolytes during competition season cover the wider management steps.

What is in Pure ReFuel?

The current Pure Feed specification lists:

• electrolytes including sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium;
• lysine, methionine and threonine for amino-acid support;
• vitamins C and E plus selenium as antioxidant nutrients;
• fructo-oligosaccharides and live yeast for digestive support;
• 20% fibre, 4.5% starch and 4.7% naturally occurring sugar; and
• a quick-soaking, flavoured mash to encourage eating and add water to the serving.

It is made without molasses, wholegrain cereals, alfalfa, soya or nutritionally improved straw.

When might Pure ReFuel be useful?

• after a session that has produced meaningful sweat;
• after competition or strenuous training;
• during hot weather when the horse is working or sweating;
• after travel, especially where appetite and drinking are reduced; or
• as part of a planned recovery routine for a horse in regular work.

Not every light ride requires a specialist recovery mash. Judge the need from work, heat, sweat and the rest of the ration. Horses with kidney, heart or other medical conditions should receive veterinary guidance before electrolyte supplementation.

How to prepare Pure ReFuel

The manufacturer’s current direction is one 500g serving, soaked with two parts water to one part feed. Allow it to soften fully and follow the instructions on the current bag.

1. Measure 500g of ReFuel.
2. Add two parts clean water to one part feed.
3. Allow the mash to soak as directed on the bag.
4. Offer it alongside unrestricted fresh water.
5. Dispose of uneaten wet feed promptly, particularly in warm weather.

Cooling still comes first

After work in the heat, stop exercise, move the horse to a shaded and ventilated area, and cool promptly with plenty of water. ReFuel can help deliver water and selected nutrients after sweating, but it cannot correct unsafe exercise timing, inadequate cooling or restricted access to drinking water.

How ReFuel fits with the base diet

Continue to choose the main feed according to body condition and workload. A good doer in light work may remain on Pure Easy, a horse in regular work may suit Pure Working, and a horse needing more condition may require Pure Condition Mix. ReFuel is then used for specific hydration and recovery support rather than as the base feed.

Introduce new feeds gradually where practical, keep forage at the centre of the diet and seek veterinary advice if the horse drinks poorly, has prolonged fatigue, dark urine, muscle stiffness or repeatedly struggles to recover.