Hot water in feeds - Opinions

[MagicMelon]

Just read in H&R mag that its not advised to add hot water to hard feeds as it can cause dental problems. Huh? How can hot water cause dental problems???

I pour hot water in my horses Mash to soak it so they get it mixed in with their normal feed warm (coz they like it like that in the winter!). Is there a problem with this??

 

[Bossanova]

I've never heard that before! I soak Moon's speedibeet in hot water and she seems to appreciate not slurping an ice cold dinner!!

 

[Jemayni]

I only add hot water to a feed after hunting; but I would do it all the time if I wasn;t so lazy....

I really cannot see how it can damage teeth, its water after all....

 

[moon_drop]

I add hot water to my sugarbeet just before I mix it in with my lots tea in the winter when it starts to get really cold. the horses seem to like it the shetland love's it he's straight in. it make's the feed smell lovely.

 

[Super_Kat]

It would have been nice of H&R mag to explain exactly how hot water in feeds damage teeth.

 

[RachelB]

That doesn't make any sense to me (especially without an "official" explanation...) it's only water, and I imagine just like people with sensitive teeth that to horses warm water must be much kinder to the teeth than icy water! Strange...

 

[Irishcobs]

Mine get a warm breakie on cold winter days.

I would guess H+R mean not to use hot water in every feed as it can make the feed sloppy and therefore they won't wear their teeth down properly, but I think thats a bit far fetched!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I just put tap water into my lad's feed, there's only enough to dampen it & swell the hard feed. I don't think there's enough water to make the feed really 'ice cold'.

When they're out in the field they drink cold water, I can't see the point in boiling up kettles etc.

 

[jayvee]

I never add hot water. Don't see the point? They all seem perfectly happy with what they get cold. I mean they can't go n put the kettle on themselves in the field or in the wild so why when its fed by you. Pointless hassle IMO.

 

[tazet]

i used to with the hunters after a hard day out but it was only warm not hot and sometimes if i forgot to soak barley rings or beet as it swells quicker but thats it otherwise i use cold water

 

[MagicMelon]

Yeah, I find using hot water - my mash swells quicker too. By the time its soaked in and Ive made up the rest of their feeds, its only warm anyway. They just seem to like it like this - my fussy boy prefers it, I think because when its warm the smell is lovely!

Plus it must warm them up a bit, like hot food warms us up a little on a cold day. Of course, its not necessary but my boys seem to enjoy it! I just want to make sure there's no actual problems with doing this.

 

[Evil_Cookie]

I'd doubt theres any problem with hot water... Just seems a bit of a silly comment for H&R to make? I don't buy the magazine very often, where was this stated?

EC

 

[Tempi]

when it gets really cold both mine will be getting hot water in the tea instead of cold (which they have at the moment). Bloss had hot water in hers all last winter and her teeth are fine

 

[Macha]

mine has her alfa beet soaked in hot water so she gets it warm and seems to prefer it, she eats it a lot faster when its warm

 

[riotgirl]

Mine get their speedibeet in warm water in the winter. I know my Welshie perefers it as she paws her from leg in the air and closes her eyes in bliss!

 

[ru-fi-do]

A vet once told me, years ago, not to add hot water to feeds as it makes it go through them quicker, the body is not used to warm food?????
Mine have theirs cold, but i am sometimes tempted to put warm water in on horrible mornings.

 

[Sooty]

People have been feeding warm bran mashes to horses for centuries, what is the difference? Maybe they mean not to use really hot water, as opposed to warm water which is probably fine. Strange...

 

[tashyisaudrey]

yeh my horse likes a warm bran mash on very cold days

 

[Pasha]

I don't know the reason, but I read this too and was confused... maybe they mean that warmth (hot water) increases bacteria production and would therefore increase the chances of their teeth rotting?

 

[filly190]

I think ice cold sugar beet that has been soaked overnight in the depths of winter cant be that good for them.

When its really cold, I bring my bucket of sugar beet indoors to keep it at decent temp.

Have only ever given a warm bran mash after hunting.