Wont drink in the field

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Kezzabell2

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My boy has started to not drink in the field. When I bring him in at night he literally drinks half a massive bucket of water

They have to drink from the river in their field but it's sectioned off so we've put river water in big buckets but he doesn't seem to be drinking it

Has anyone else had a horse that won't drink fresh water? Will drive down with water carriers of tap water when I put him out tomorrow and hopefully he'll drink that
 
No can't be sure. All of the summer fields are by the river so there are 7 others that are drinking it normally

He drank from the river at the weekend just not drinking from the buckets :/

It's very odd. He's the sort of horse that always drinks when he's offered it. Maybe the buckets in the field have a funny taste??
 
Definitely sounds as if there is something he can taste (even if the others don't care about it).
I would try (1) changing the bucket type/material and putting river water in. Plus (2) using the same buckets but with stable water in.
It might also pay to check up-stream and see if anyone has used fertiliser (or dumped something) or if something has died in the river nearby.
 
Thanks guys. Will see if I can check the river this weekend. It's long so guess anything could have been put anywhere

I put water out this morning and just checked. Between they two horses they had drunk a bit and when my boy saw me he came over. I splashed the water about, which made him have quite a big drink. His friend came and had a lot too

So guess the river water must taste a bit nasty
 
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