These buffers occur naturally in the body and can also be added to the diet. With strenuous short-term exercise, energy demands exceed the supply of oxygen to the muscle. Therefore, energy must be generated in the absence of oxygen (anaerobically). During this process acids are produced. It must be emphasised that the production of acids is normal. The accumulation of acid results in a progressive decline in pH within muscle cells until a point is reached when processes involved in contraction cannot continue and the horse tires.

The buffers in the muscle act as a sponge and absorb the acid molecules before they can hamper the muscle performance. A combination of a good blood supply to remove acid from the muscles and an efficient buffering system are highly important in delaying fatigue.

The body acid neutralisers Neutrolene and Neutrolene Plus complement the body's natural buffers. Neutrolene will help to counteract the excess acids circulating through the blood, while Neutrolene Plus contains an additional buffer which enters the muscle cell and therefore increases the buffering capacity. Most horses will not work hard enough to suffer "Acidosis" or "Tying-up" syndrome. Although some horses do so for no apparent reason. Some mares may suffer this syndrome due to a hormonal imbalance at times.

Functions of Minerals in the Horse

Mineral and function	Source for
Macro Minerals	Training	Spelling
Calcium - Bone formation and maintenance. Teeth development and maintenance. Transmission of nerve impulses. Contraction of skeletal, cardiac and smooth muscle, normal muscle excitability. Regulation of heart beat, normal blood clotting, activation and stabilisation of enzymes.	Folactin Blue Salkavite Ranvet500 Plus	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus
Phosphorous - Bone and teeth formation and maintenance; blood buffer systems; activation of B Group vitamins to form co-enzymes. Carbohydrate Salkavite Ranvet 500 Plus metabolism. Phospholipids. As part of A.T.P	Salkavite Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus Equitone	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus
Magnesium - Skeletal development, neuromuscular transmission and activity, enzymes involved in energy transfer, muscle transmission	Salkavite Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus
Sodium - Maintenance of acid-base balance and body fluid balance; nerve transmission; transport of amino acids; cellular uptake of glucose.	Salkavite Salt Neutrolene Neutrolene Plus	Salt
Potassium - Maintenance of acid-base balance and body fluid balance; contractibility of smooth, skeletal and cardiac muscle; necessary for normal electrocardiogram; tissue protein synthesis; cellular uptake of glucose.	Salkavite
Chloride - Maintenance of acid-base balance and body fluid balance. Part of gastric secretions.	Salt Salkavite	Salt
Sulphur - As part of Sulphur amino acids - hair; hoof; in cartilage; in insulin.	Ranvet 500 Plus Hoof Food	Ranvet 500 Plus Hoof Food
Trace Minerals
Iron - Haemoglobin and myoglobin formation. As a constituent of oxygen carriers and other enzymes.	Folactin Blue Iron Plus	Folactin Blue Iron Plus
Zinc - Co-factor or part of many enzymes involved in energy metabolism; bone formation; hair; hoof; skin; wound healing.	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus Aminovite Plus Hoof Food	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus Aminovite Plus Hoof Food
Copper - As part of enzymes involved in oxygen transfer, haemoglobin synthesis and maturation of red blood cells; normal bone formation, normal tendon and ligament formation; blood vessel walls.	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus Aminovite Plus	Folactin Blue Ranvet 500 Plus Aminovite Plus
Cobalt - As part of vitamin B12. Functions as for B12. As a co-factor in certain enzyme reactions.	Folactin Blue Aminovite Plus	Folactin Blue Aminovite
Iodine - Production of hormone. Thyroxine - controls metabolic rate.	Folactin Blue Aminovite	Folactin Blue Aminovite Plus
Fluorine - Bone and teeth formation.	Folactin Blue	Folactin Blue
Manganese - Co-factor in certain enzyme systems, involved in protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Involved in cartilage and bone formation.	Usually contained in sufficient quantities in feedstuffs - no deficiencies have been shown
Molybdenum - As a constituent of enzymes.	Not generally regarded as a necessary additive.
Selenium - As part of an enzyme which maintains integrity of cell s membranes by preventing breakdown by harmful by-products of normal metabolism.	Can be toxic if oversupplied or given to horses whose diet is already sufficient. Consult your veterinarian.