water consumption
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water consumption
I have noticed my stallion's water consumption has decreased and would like to get him to drink more. how do I make him drink more? until I can get to the feed store to get some salt blocks.
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Shammy Davis
- Chef de Race: Classic
- Posts: 4451
- Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2004 8:23 am
A decrease in water consumption in the dead of winter, especially in the NE is serious business. Having lived in VT for a short time, I know that you need to act quickly to increase fluid consumption. The suggestion of salt in the horse feed is a very good one.
Even in VA, I experienced a horse that suffered severe colic because of decreased fluid intake and had to be put down. Dehyrdration almost always leads to colic. It's terrible and its avoidable. I've always thought the M-Atlantic milder climate would allow free choice salt blocks to suffice. Not so. I should have been smarter than that. The horse I lost was my favorite. I was heartbroken.
Our regimen now is a moistened mixture of 2 Qts Beet Pulp, 1 Qt Alpha cubes, and 1/4 cup plain white salt daily, 365 days a year. Salt added to a well soaked meal like this insures a thirsty horse. Even dripping wet the horses gobble the mixture up. We also top the buckets off with a 12% dry mixture. We haven't had a severe case of colic in 5 years.
Please act quickly to encourage your horse to drink water, particularly in the extreme cold environs of NE.
Even in VA, I experienced a horse that suffered severe colic because of decreased fluid intake and had to be put down. Dehyrdration almost always leads to colic. It's terrible and its avoidable. I've always thought the M-Atlantic milder climate would allow free choice salt blocks to suffice. Not so. I should have been smarter than that. The horse I lost was my favorite. I was heartbroken.
Our regimen now is a moistened mixture of 2 Qts Beet Pulp, 1 Qt Alpha cubes, and 1/4 cup plain white salt daily, 365 days a year. Salt added to a well soaked meal like this insures a thirsty horse. Even dripping wet the horses gobble the mixture up. We also top the buckets off with a 12% dry mixture. We haven't had a severe case of colic in 5 years.
Please act quickly to encourage your horse to drink water, particularly in the extreme cold environs of NE.
I also add smidges of sugar free KoolAid and sugar free apple cider mix to it. It doesn't take much and they drink like an alcoholic at a free bar. 
My favorite would colic severely every winter until I started this about 4 years ago. **knock on wood** everything has gone well since. And mine get free choice salt and alfalfa so you would think that would just make them want to drink, but not always.
My favorite would colic severely every winter until I started this about 4 years ago. **knock on wood** everything has gone well since. And mine get free choice salt and alfalfa so you would think that would just make them want to drink, but not always.
trying to come up with something brillant..... this may take a while. 
At this time of the year, I add electrolytes (like Apple Elite) to the tubs and buckets. It help prevent dehydration and lowers the freezing point of the water - the salt and the sugar. Depending on the ratio, it drops the freezing point up to eight degrees, which is significant in our area.
So Run for the Roses, as fast as you can.....