Posted 2014-02-24 8:52 PM Subject: Horses not drinking?
Expert
Posts: 2276 Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :)
The weather has been fluctuating quite a bit in the last week or so. It was up in the lower 50's on Saturday, high 30's Sunday and today is mid 20's. I fed and watered this morning like usual(930) and my SO goes it to check on them before he leaves for work at 2 and he noticed no one had hardly drank any water and when I got home at 6 they all had only drank about a half a bucket. I gave them all electrolytes and gave them new water. Do you think it's because of the fluctuating weather? They all are eating normal and acting fine.
Posted 2014-02-24 9:22 PM Subject: RE: Horses not drinking?
Fire Ant Peddler
Posts: 2881
Could be the weather and this kind of weather is sure good for colic. Go to Tractor Supply and get Resorb--a cattle electrolyte. Put the whole package in their feed. My picky eater does not like it so I mix it with pancake syrup and he gobbles it up. I keep it on hand incase of colic anyway. A tablespoon of salt each day in their feed also helps get them to drink.
Posted 2014-02-24 9:27 PM Subject: RE: Horses not drinking?
Independent Cuss
Posts: 3977 Location: Dearing, GA
It could definitely be the weather. You can soak their hay, or add gatorade to their water buckets. Make sure their water isn't freezing overnight, too. You can always fix senior water for their evening meal, too. Just a half scoop or so of their feed, fill a bucket half warm water and a fourth cold water. Let the feed soak and then just hang it in their stall. All ours drink that right up.
Posted 2014-02-24 10:10 PM Subject: RE: Horses not drinking?
Expert
Posts: 2276 Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :)
I just went back out and they all had their buckets almost empty so I feel a little better. Definitely won't sleep too good tonight worrying someone is gonna colic!
Posted 2014-02-25 8:26 AM Subject: RE: Horses not drinking?
Expert
Posts: 2276 Location: ohio-in my own little world with pretty ponies :)
This is definitely unusual for them. They never seem bothered by it and the water isn't freezing. But it might be that the water is colder than it had been for a few days. SO went out when he got home at 2 am last night and all their buckets were low again so he filled them and they were low again this morning. Hmm. Maybe something was going on with the water?
Horses not drinking?
