How to Entice Horses to Drink More Water
Horses are notoriously stubborn drinkers, but their reluctance to drink is not a cause for concern unless they are suffering from dehydration. There are many ways to check for dehydration. Signs of dehydration include weight loss and a condition called "skin tenting," where the skin becomes less elastic when pulled and takes longer than usual to return to its former shape. A dehydrated horse will also urinate less or stop urinating. Lack of water in the body reduces blood in arteries, forcing the heart to pump faster. Often times, inner eye lids and gums become dry and the horse's eyes appear sunken. If water is not replenished, the horse may collapse.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Ensure that horses have access to enough clean water. Remove any bugs or slime from the bucket. On average, an adult horse requires at least 10 gallons of water a day. An active horse requires up to 25 gallons.
-
2
Heat the horses' water in winter until it's warm. Research shows that horses prefer warm or tepid water to cold water.
-
-
3
Spike your horse's water with 1 cup of apple juice per 1 gallon. Some horses are reluctant to drink water to which they are not accustomed. Flavoring the water with apple juice will help disguise the new taste. Experiment with other fruit juices to find out which one they prefer the most.
-
4
Feed horses moisture-rich food to increase their water intake. These include fresh grass, watermelons and apples.
-
5
Soak hay in water before giving it to the horses. A single wet-down hay flake can absorb as much as 2 gallons of water.
-
6
Offer them 1 to 2 oz. of salt per day. This will increase the concentration of salt in blood and make them feel thirsty.
-
7
Give the horses a quiet drinking environment. Noisy environments build stress and prevent horses from enjoying their drink.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
