Summer is in full swing, which means long fun-filled days of riding your horses. However, with riding comes responsibility. Horses sweat to cool off during warm weather and exercise, just like humans. So it’s imperative to keep your horse hydrated to replenish the balance of water and electrolytes. Here’s how to make sure your horse drinks enough water throughout the summer.
Clean and Available Water
Make sure your horse has plenty of clean drinking water at all times. This can be achieved by installing a horse drinker. Hot water in traditional automatic horse waterers, tanks, or buckets limit water consumption. Decreased water consumption results in more trips to the Vet and limited mental and body function. Horse drinkers also allow for fresh tasting water without algae which typically grows in stagnant water.
Encourage Drinking
Add electrolytes to your horse’s water to stimulate their thirst. Electrolytes will reduce fatigue, muscle cramps, and colic. Access to a salt block will also help replenish lost sodium and electrolytes.
Soak Feed in Water
To give your horse extra water, we suggest soaking the hay flakes or cubes in water. This small adjustment will have a big impact on your horse’s hydration.
Signs of Dehydration
Knowing how to identify dehydration is essential to your horse’s health. If you notice dry gums, elevated heart rate, weak pulse, skin tenting, or dark urine, lead your horse to water as soon as possible.
Automatic Horse Drinkers
Your horse requires a constant source of clean and fresh water. A horse’s body consists of approximately 70 percent water. Most experts agree that water is the most important element in a horse’s health. Feed, minerals, and vitamins are secondary to water. With the Bar-Bar-A automatic horse drinker, your concern for proper water consumption can be alleviated.
Leave a Reply