Pony drinking from puddles when out hacking

[Spangles]

Bit of an odd one but pony likes to try and drink from puddles when out hacking. He has access to auto drinker in stabke (which he uses) and troughs in paddock. Is it like dogs ie they drink from rainwater pools/ puddles when out on walks. lack of a mineral ? Or just taking a fancy to durty water ?

Just wondering really ...

 

[little_critter]

I was concerned my boy wasn’t drinking when out in the field. I then discovered him doing this.
You can see the lovingly filled trug of clean water just behind him.
He also slurps puddles out on hacks and licks the green algae that grows near the hose pipe. He just likes it. I’m not concerned.

 

[BBP]

Mine also does this. I just try to be careful if farmers have been out spraying or for any other sort of pollutants. Otherwise I don’t worry about it.

 

[Lintel]

I don't worry about it... I think he is just stopping to have a rest.. Lazy boy of mine ?

 

[Leo Walker]

Mine is obsessed with water and will take any opportunity to play with it, blowing bubbles and gurning is her signature move, and she will always pick a filthy puddle over clean water!

 

[milliepops]

Yep I have one that loves to snorkel too. She drinks plenty in the stable, I think she just enjoys it ?

 

[Gloi]

Mine has favourite places to drink when he's out. I do restrict him to places I know are clean though.

 

[Shay]

You just want to be sure the water is clean. I must admit I now discourage drinking from an unknown source having been in an area with a strangles outbreak - which the yard dealt with perfectly. But shared water sources can be a way to spread infection. As others have said you also want to be sure there are no polloutants / run off or excess mud. Flowing water, upstream in a sandy bottom stream, is allowed! I guess I can't gaurentee that that would be free from polloutants - but hopefully diluted. That said... We did have an incident a few years ago with that stream when there was a run off into the stream and someone's dog died having drunk the water. DEFRA put up signs all along it wanring people not to go in for a week or so...

Wish I hadn't rememebred that now!

 

[Baywonder]

My old boy used to drink from a puddle on the way in from his field too. None of the others were good enough - it had to be that particular puddle......

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I keep water tanks down by the yard, so all fuzzies have to walk about.
Currently 3 of them are together today, I have seen all drink from puddles 3 paddocks up rather then pop down through 2 very bare paddocks to the tanks, lazy lot!

 

[milliepops]

I keep water tanks down by the yard, so all fuzzies have to walk about.
Currently 3 of them are together today, I have seen all drink from puddles 3 paddocks up rather then pop down through 2 very bare paddocks to the tanks, lazy lot!

they are just taking care to save your resources

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

they are just taking care to save your resources

Nah, they are lazy buggers! ??

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Yes my mare always insists on stopping at one particular puddle on the way home for a good slurp. My new horse seemed somewhat bewildered and bemused first hack out when I automatically dropped the reins and waited for him to have a drink. Apparently he is far too grand for such slovenly peasant like behaviour.