Isn't this odd? Why are my horses not drinking ANY water?

Question

They were too fat and I fenced them in about a month ago with an electric fence. I move the wire to give them a strip of fresh grass every day. This meant that I had to water them from buckets and they haven't been drinking AT ALL. I know fresh grass contains lots of water but it isn't lush and quite short. They are loosing weight slowly and have lots of pickings like gorse and stuff. I haven't noticed them peeing recently but then I am not there all the time. They are a bit grumpy at being fenced in but other than that are quite healthy. Any thoughts on this?

Answer 1

Did you watch the series Kelly Marks did a few years ago with the wild horses in Africa? She observed them in their natural habitat, I can't remember for how long, but I think it was several months. She was surprised that the horses actually did not drink every day.

My horses when penned off with electric tape in summer have their water supplied in big tubs which are checked daily. They don't drink every day but I still check in case they have all had a thirst at once and empty the tubs in one go.

When stabled overnight my mare has two standard sized buckets of water, she usually drinks less than one full bucket.Every horse will be different, though.

As long as the water is available to your horses I wouldn't worry, unless you have reason to think they are ill.

Answer 2

if u are really worried about it ask your vet =]

Answer 3

They are drinking from  puddles and such when it rains.  This is because they are cautious of the bucket.  They are not used to it so their natural instinct is to avoid it until they are.  The rain is actually not helping because when it gets to the point they are thirsty enough to drink it rains.  The next time they try to go a little longer, etc.  If you have hay then you can try putting them in a stall or dry lot until they decide to drink from the buckets and then release them back out on pasture.

Answer 4

If it's been raining a lot ( like here in the UK) they actually get quite a bit of water off the grass while they're eating it and the buckets will top up from the rain.

I get the same thing with mine - when we have a lot of rain I never have to top up but when it's dry I'm forever checking on water levels.

If they seem okay otherwise I wouldn't worry too much - you could do the dehydration skin test to settle your mind

http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources...

Answer 5

What do you clean the buckets out with?  Do you clean the buckets?  It could be that the water is tasting funny to them, ie too much chlorine etc or the taste of washing up liquid etc.

When washing buckets, rinse them out thoroughly until not one speck of foam is left.

Another way to encourage them to drink is to put a couple of spoons of sugar in the bucket and swish it around.  It might make them drink a bit more.

Measure the amount of water in the bucket and when you change the water measure that as well.

I think it is something to do with the water as both of them are not drinking.

Do a pinch test on the neck.  Grab a handful of skin and let it go.  If it springs back they are okay, but if it takes some time to get back and looks wrinkly then you should call the vet.

Keep an eye on them and if they still do not drink call the vet for advice anyway.

Answer 6

horses should drink 20 litres of fresh water a day. i'd check their gums to see what colour they are, if they are not the usual pink colour they could be anemic.

adding a tablespoon of salt (iodised salt) to there feed each day will make them drink more, i have had similar problems and this always helps.

also put a mineral block in their for them to l**k, the brown coloured ones are best, they will gorge themselves on it at first but they love it and it's good for them and has the salt in it. my gray mare tries to bite at it and eat the whole thing, she loves it a bit to much i think!

keep an eye on them though and if they start to stop showing their normal characteristics maybe get a vet out, but the salt should help heaps.

also lunge them, i do mine for at least 20 mins a day (10 mins each way) this will help with the grass belly and also make them drink...

Answer 7

have they got shelter or a tree to stand under.

if not sort something.

what colour bucket  or place do they usually drink from , try and imitate that with the colour of the bucket.

Answer 8

Our horses are the same, its todo with the weather.  Its quite common this time of year.  do a dehydration test if your really worried and keep a check on them.

Its quite normal so dont worry to much.

its actually called a grass belly when they look abit fat and it wobbles a bit, it goes down after a few days in a stable.

Answer 9

They probably found your wine closet Susan.

They aren't grumpy...the got a hangover.

Time to pick a better closet Sue.....you need the wine so you won't forget.

Good Morning ♥♥

Answer 10

I agree with those who said horses drink when they need to, its very rare to have a medical condition where the horse will not drink, such issues are usually related to throat/teeth/mouth issues. I have some that just don't drink when its cool, and they are not moving much, has never caused me any problems, every one of mine are healthy. The grass, like you said, contains lots of water, in-fact about 90% water content. lush or not, if its been wet, it has water. As long as the horses have plenty of digestive activity, and are not constipated in the slightest, i would not worry, just make sure they have plenty of fresh water, when they finally realize they are thirsty. Weightloss?........if its a fast loss of weight, it may be related to dehydration, but i doubt it. Try worming them twice, once, then once again two weeks later with a chemically different wormer. Also, if they are on that much grass, look at the droppings, does it contain a high level of un-digested grass?........if so, consider benebac, or another intestinal enzyme. Proper bacteria in the Equine intestinal tract, is much more important then once believed, A horse with proper intestinal bacteria, can eat half the food content of a horse without, and be perfectly healthy. If your horses just refuse to drink, after a few days, take a spoon full of peanut butter, slide the spoon in the side of the mouth and deposit the peanut butter against the teeth, grab a chair and wait 5 minute, and i promise you, that horse will drink lots, i would not allow free access to water after using that method. Only allow 10 to 15 gallon access, at least for 4 to 6 hours, then return choice water. Good luck. My yhoo 360 is on my profile if you end up having a major issue, shoot me a note.

Answer 11

Animals know when they are thirsty.  Because all are not drinking is not a concern.  If there is only one from the group that is not drinking, then I would be concerned.  They will consume water when they need it.