Help please - You can lead a horse to water .....

Ladylina83

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As some of you will know Lina has just has a bout of colic on Monday. I'm glad to say that she is seeming to be much better now and is eating wet hay and speedibeet soup and is getting out on good grass on her own for the daylight hours.

Thing is she came in at 2 yesterday and has not drunk a drop since ! How can I get more fluid in to her ???

Any ideas appreciated.
 
How much does she normally drink? If she's getting through lots of water in the soup and wet hay then she might just not be thirsty. FWIW other feeds that can take a lot of water in with them include barley rings, which soak up an astonishing amount.
 
Some horses don't drink much. She has been out at grass & that will be wet, she's having speedibeet soup which will give her more fluid & also wet hay. My horses don't drink a vast amount when they are getting plenty of water in what they are eating. I wouldn't worry.

If you see that your horse is becoming dehydrated then contact your vet & they can administer fluids.
 
Pinch some skin on her neck and let go- if it doesn't ping back immediately give the vet a ring. I don't have the c test for nothing you know!!
tongue.gif
 
What about some apples cut into quarters and float them in her water bucket, she has to bob for them! Both mine love this game!! I started doing it when i realised one wasnt drinking in the stable, it has helped. Hope she is feeling better soon.
 
Not sure I'd add salt T. If the horse isn't drinking for a good reason, adding salt to feeds could easily make the situation worse. Vet if you're worried but I'd first bed her down for 12 hours on a nice fresh shavings bed. She might very well be peeing normally (would show on a fresh bed) and if she is, then the fluid is getting into her somehow!
 
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