Dehydtration

[AmyMay]

This cold weather is having a real affect on the amount of water that Thumper is drinking - or rather not drinking. And in recent days he's become dehydrated.

I've been giving him a separate bucket of Sugar Beet water, which he likes - and electrolytes.

He's eating, pooing, weeing etc.

But has anyone got any other ideas on what I can do? Vet call will ensue if he's no better by Wednesday (although he's not 'ill' if you get my meaning).

 

[Cahill]

my horses are not drinking so much during this cold weather but they are not dehydrated.

i notice it with the ones that are out most.i think it is natures way of coping with the weather.

 

[chestnut cob]

Can you switch to haylage if not already on it? It has a much higher moisture content so might help.

 

[AmyMay]

On haylage........

 

[CrazyMare]

Soak feeds into a soup.
Flavour water with apple juice or peppermint
Warm the water - its damn cold at the moment, half boil a kettle and add it to the bucket. Also make the bucket an insulated 'jacket' of straw to stop it freezing or getting really really cold.

My mare pulls a great trick - she stops drinking and weeing for about 4 days. Does it periodically, and has done for years. Have had her checked etc but nothing wrong. Just have to tempt her to drink.

 

[AmyMay]

Thanks CM - Warming the water is a great idea, as is the 'jacket'.

 

[chestnut cob]

I've done the thing with putting a kettle full of hot water in a bucket and using cold to fill to the top. I was also once told to put a couple of apples in the water as that might tempt them (and it stops it freezing I guess as they move around).

 

[CrazyMare]

Careful putting apples in at this time of year - it can encourage them to empty the bucket by tipping it over thus flooding then freezing the stable.

My filly does that.....

 

[CVSHotShot]

my horse went through a faze about this time last year, not drinking...he would hardly have taken 1 bucket of water in 3days!

I had myself convinced that he was going to die on me (didnt sound so silly at the time

lol) and had the vet out.
he said that he wouldnt be worried about it but would rather be more concerned if he was drinkin to much!
Of course he was fine and began drinking normally after a couple of weeks....the whole thing was rather strange!