Lyte Me Up: Comparing Electrolytes to Replace Perform N Win

As I reach the end of my last bucket of Buckeye Perform N Win, I find myself on the hunt for a new electrolyte product to use during conditioning. (I normally use something with higher concentrations during 50-mile or longer events, when replenishment is more urgent.)

Perform N Win was popular among endurance riders for its sweet taste and gentleness on equine tummies. I wrote to Buckeye to ask about the discontinuation and rumors of an upcoming re-formulation. They responded quickly and kindly with the following:

• The product was discontinued "because, according to our lead nutritionist, we needed to reformulate it to include more salt if it were to be appropriate for harder working horses." (My observation: That probably explains why it was gentle on horses' stomachs.)
• The company does not plan to re-formulate and/or re-release the product in the near future.
• They find the electrolyte product Summer Games to be "the closest to our Perform N Win in suitability."

I also asked on social media what other AERC riders who used to use Perform N Win are using, and thought I'd share the jist of the responses here, since that post will soon be buried.

Starfish loves her post-ride sweet water with electrolytes!

This is hardly a scientific survey, but the most popular electrolytes among respondents to my post were Mad Barn's Performance XL and Kentucky Performance Products' Endura-Max. Some riders were also using Kentucky Performance Products' Summer Games, the product suggested by the former maker of Perform N Win.

I pulled the comparison information below directly from the product labels. The companies format their analyses a bit differently. (Note things like sodium and chloride breakdown vs just salt, and chlorine vs chloride.) Being neither a nutritionist nor a chemist myself, I won't attempt to elaborate or interpret. Instead, I included complete ingredient lists for a fuller picture. If you're knowledgable on the subject, please do add your thoughts in the comments!

A couple of the analyses include additional nutrition information. For example, Summer Games offers copper, iron, manganese, and zinc; Performance XL offers vitamin E and ascorbic acid. 
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Most riders who commented on Mad Barn's Performance XL noted that their horses love it. A couple said they (the riders, that is) didn't care for the smell of the product. One noted that while it doesn't include a buffer, it is not caustic. This makes sense, given the relatively low sodium concentration.

Some riders who use Endura-Max noted that they use kaolin pectate as a buffer. I looked up kaolin pectate (yep, that's what Kaopectate is!) and found this helpful article in Kentucky Equine Research's Q&A library. It explains that kaolin is a soothing clay long used as a antidiarrheal, and pectin is a fruit-derived carbohydrate whose gelatinous texture is thought to coat the stomach.

"Susan Garlinghouse, D.V.M., has recommended the use of kaolin-pectin in endurance horses."

~ KER Answer Exchange referencing a webinar with Kathleen Crandell, PhD

The KER article notes that well-respected endurance vet and rider Dr. Garlinghouse combines equal parts electrolyte and kaolin pectate in a blender to make a smooth, tummy-friendly concoction that can be syringed into the horse during competition. 

In the interest of thoroughness, other favorite electrolytes cited by riders on social media included: Apple-a-Day, Perfect Balance, and DAC. One rider also mentioned Endura-Max Plus, which is a paste version of the same KPP product. It includes a buffer but, at about $10 per single-serving tube, is considerably more expensive than the powder.

So...now what?

I'm thinking of trying the Mad Barn product for use during conditioning, as its lower concentrations should be easier on the horses' stomachs.

For competition, I like the idea of buffering Endura-Max with kaolin pectate (which can be purchased by the gallon for $10-20, depending on the vendor). My horses typically eat their electrolytes in a mash, so I'll have to test whether they'll mind a bit of kaolin pectate in the mix. Stay tuned.

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