Horse not drinking - any advice?

CeeBee

CeeBee

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Nemo had been in a stable for 7 weeks following a knee injury.
He normally lives out and came home at last on Saturday. Since then he hasn't touched his water at all! Will he be getting all he needs from the grass?
He gets hay and a small feed twice a day, you would think that would make him thirsty!
Any advice? Do I need to involve the vet?
 
IME salt in water puts them off further. I often get owners adding apple juice or feeding the water from sugarbeet run off to tempt them.

Checking hydration crudely is quite easy, if the gums are pale pink, shiny and moist then he's probably ok. The skin tent times should be quick but vary in breed and age so don't read too much into them especially if the gums are ok. Skin tent tests are often more sensitive if you use the skin above the upper eyelid or the bony arch.

If you are still worried or the gums are tacky/dry then he is dehydrated and you will need the vet.

You can try soaking the hay or haylage and giving wet feeds too to increase fluid intake.
 
I suggested someone on here add salt to the feed to increase water consumption but some pointed out this might make matters worse.
I'm anti putting stuff in water myself especailly sugary stuff. :D

Rain water if you can get it is often more appealing than tap water.
 
apple juice or alternatively an apple quartered and put into the water encourages them to drink as they try to get the apple out of the water.I had to do it last winter with my horse who was living out at the time and decided he didn't want to drink his water at all
 
ImogenBurrows said:
IME salt in water puts them off further. I often get owners adding apple juice or feeding the water from sugarbeet run off to tempt them.

Checking hydration crudely is quite easy, if the gums are pale pink, shiny and moist then he's probably ok. The skin tent times should be quick but vary in breed and age so don't read too much into them especially if the gums are ok. Skin tent tests are often more sensitive if you use the skin above the upper eyelid or the bony arch.

If you are still worried or the gums are tacky/dry then he is dehydrated and you will need the vet.

You can try soaking the hay or haylage and giving wet feeds too to increase fluid intake.
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Ok just thats what my vet tells me to do with mine when she stops drinking and works for her guess every vet has different advice
 
I may be wrong but not drinking can be a sign of the start of something such as Cushings. I would maybe give your vet a call and explain the situation and maybe arrange a blood test just to be on the safe side.
 
SJ_Superstars said:
I may be wrong but not drinking can be a sign of the start of something such as Cushings. I would maybe give your vet a call and explain the situation and maybe arrange a blood test just to be on the safe side.
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I would say you are wrong. Actually right and wrong. Not drinking may be a sign of many things, but Cushing's usually casuing polydipsia - drinking more frequently and often a greater volume. IME I haven't found a case presenting with reduce drinking for Cushings yet....may be, who knows!
 
Just wanted to add a sort of gut instinct response to trying to get a horse to drink by putting salt in the water. If the poor horse did eventually drink a little of it you've immediately made his situation worse because, obviously, salt will make his body need MORE water. So if he still refuses to drink you run the risk of making matters significantly worse. Is he turned out at all? Are you absolutely certain he hasn't found a puddle or alternative water source that he finds tastier? Horses can be clever!
 
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