Sodium Bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda, is used in horses as a feed additive to buffer stomach acid and potentially hind gut acidosis, but it's important to use protected forms for effective hindgut buffering. Sodium bicarbonate can also be used to replenish electrolytes and as a cleanser.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Buffering Stomach Acid: Sodium bicarbonate acts as an antacid, neutralizing stomach acid and temporarily increasing gastric pH. 
• Hindgut Acidosis: Horses on high-grain diets are prone to hindgut acidosis, a condition where the large intestine becomes too acidic. Protected sodium bicarbonate products, like EquiShure, allow the sodium bicarbonate to reach the hindgut in an active state, buffering the excess acid.
• Performance Enhancement: Some people believe sodium bicarbonate can improve performance by buffering lactic acid build-up in muscles during exercise, but the evidence for this is mixed.

Dosage and Administration: The optimal dose is around 0.2-0.4g per kilo (0.09-0.18g per lb) of body mass, taken around 60-120 minutes before exercise.