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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
   
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | What is standard procedure for everyone at a barrel race? Do you let your horse drink any amount of water right before he runs if he/she is not on lasix? I'm talking about within 30 minutes of a run, say from the time you warm them up until you go in the pen? |
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My mind still works
Posts: 8912
 
| Not in that short amount of time. 30 mins and a 15-16-17 (depending on arena) second run- they can wait. It's not healthy imo to give them any for that amount of time. I'd much rather have a clear bladder too but my gelding likes to hoard lol |
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Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | My horse runs better if I warm him up well before he runs, so that he has about 20-30 minutes of just walking and waiting before he runs. Most ppl disagree with that plan but it works for that particular horse, so i do let him drink right after warming him up because that is when he is craving it most. Sometimes it's the only time he drinks that day before he runs. And with him being a bleeder, I prefer he does drink something. He does not run on lasix. So far he is managed with OTC stuff |
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Expert
Posts: 1477
Location: In the land of peanuts and cotton | Mine get water when they want it. I've never thought about it. I give them all the own bucket as soon as we get there because of the fact just like the barrel race we was at Saturday it was 97 degrees and very humid. A horse can get dehydrated in a hurry in weather like that |
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 I Chore in Chucks
Posts: 2882
Location: MD | as much as they want, but I'm usually waiting by the arena within 45 minutes of my run so they probably haven't had a drink within that time unless it's a painfully hot day, then I always revisit the trailer if I have time to let them drink. if they are thirsty, they will drink, I never want to get into the habit of not having water readily available to them at all times. |
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
| Mine have water available at all times. That being said, they get about a 20-30 minute warm up, sometimes longer, depending on the tractor! We don't go back to the stall or trailer in that time, so they won't drink before we get done running. After they run, we usually let them get a drink for a second and then continue walking them out. |
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 Making the post season
Posts: 7288
Location: your guess is as good as mine | I chose small amount because it's usually 5-6 swallows (don't really know if that's "large" or "small" lol)...same amount I allow as she's cooling out.
Standard practice with my mare is to warm her up good then go back to the trailer roughly 30-45 minutes before my run. I get off, loosen the girth so she can relax & offer water - she usually drinks unless it's really cool. I let her relax for about 15 minutes while I wrap her legs, change shirts (if needed), get my ankle brace & competition boots on, etc. Then we walk until time to run... |
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Expert
Posts: 1414
| My gelding won't drink before we run though I offer it to him several times. After our run he drinks quite a bit and I don't limit his water. He gets as much as he wants. |
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 Money Eating Baggage Owner
Posts: 9586
Location: Phoenix | I water when I get there. I'll offer water after we warm up but if we compete within an hour, I only let them take a few gulps before withholding it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 669
Location: Central Texas | I never withhold water from my horses. That being said, I usually start a slow warm up about 1 hr before my run, because my horse needs that so we aren't any where near the water for that hour. He will get as much as he wants after cool down. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| If going to a local race, I ALWAYS haul water for my horse and he NEVER, EVER drinks - not before, and not after, but at least I feel better knowing I offered it. |
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 On the Countdown
Posts: 2934
Location: Texas | I will offer water before I get on to warm him up. If it is hot before I run after warming him up, but usually he doesn't drink. |
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