Re: a horse that wont drink

On 28 Jul 2006 22:34:54 -0700, "verneepoo" <veronica@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


anonymous@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 28 Jul 2006 08:34:47 -0700, "verneepoo" <veronica@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:


anonymous@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
On 27 Jul 2006 21:37:02 -0700, "verneepoo" <veronica@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:

Hey everyone,
I am stumped. I have an arabXQH 12yrs.old, gelding. I cannot seem to
get him to drink.
This is what I have tried.
3 different locations (for different water taste)
dry hay, and salt
soaking hay cubes ( works for a little while, good for about a gallon )
apple juice in water
different temperatures
molasses in water
different bucket

He literally is getting tucked up and very dehydrated. The vet has run
blood work looking for a low grade infection, nothing. The vet found a
small ball in his sheath, and removed it. Then we sedated him and
forced 2 gallons. I am so scared for him, we have been experienceing
very hot weather, however, I do keep him in. But he at one point got so
bad he was weak enough to fall. I am sure there has to be some reason
for this, and maybe someone else has experienced this and found a
reason or a cure. He does have salt licks and I add salt to a mixture
of complete feed. His appetite is fine. His urine is cloudy. The
previous owner had no health concerns for him, and so far any problems
we have ever had was a bit of rain rot that was treated easily.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
verneepoo

Some history on the horse.
The lady that had him before me had him for 6 years,and her
friend/neighbor had him since a yearling. We have tried 3 different
wells for their water with him. We are on well water. Our water is
good water. There is no electricity near his pail. He has multiple
pails one red, one green, and one blue. I have 2 hanging a bit off
ground from trees and one on the ground, big round green tub. I had
him last night eating about a gallon of soaked hay cubes, but when I
came home from work tonight he had not touched anything again. I have
put in an order for some electolytes, which will be in on Monday. When
we got this horse I put him in a 3 acre paddock with another horse,
that tended to bully him. Then I moved him to a very busy arena for
training as the show season had been approaching. The owner of the
arena called and pulled him from the field thinking that he was
foundering, he was falling and lathargec. That is when we discovered
he was dehydrated. At that time about a week had gone by since I was
at the arena.
Then I moved him to a private barn at my parents. He had it all to
himself, but he only ate soaked hay cubes, never touched the water,
however, I was able to get his hydration level up. Then I brought him
home and gave him his own little senerity. A very treed area with long
grass. Now after reading the postings, and my gut feelings, I am
feeling like he misses his old owners, and maybe depressed. So I called
the vet again, he too agreed possible depression, however, he needs to
drink. The vet said , a strong, no to the IV, because he needs his
guts to continue to work. I do have a very nice thoroughbred that I
think I will move with him, maybe he is lonely. This gelding is real
sweet and not bossy. This is breaking our hearts, this is my daughters
horse, that is 10 and has a high functioning form of autism. She is
very bonded with him, and feels bad that maybe he is unhappy with her.
Well I keep checking and pulling his skin. And in the morning I will
put the other horse with him, and thanks again for all your messages.
There are great ideas, and nice to know that ya'll care.
verneepoo


I sure hope the companion helps. From experience, Arabs tend to need
companions more than other breeds. Whether thats coincidense or fact,
I am nopt sure. I think 99% of horses need companions, but I have
owned a few loners that prefer being alone. However, on my farm, they
always can at least see another horse. If you got a very gentle
horse, you will need a gentle companion, which might mean an older
horse, or a smaller pony. Of course it all depends on matching
personalities, just like with people. A little bullying is not always
bad as long as there are no injuries.

If you missed it in another message, try some Gatoraid on him.

If you are having the severe heat we are having, I suggest you force
him to drink, using your hose. You dont have chlorinated water so
just do it. I tend to "baby" my horses, but this could be life
threatening, so you may have to tie him directly to a post (no more
than 6 inches rope), and just force some water in his mouth. Just
keep it running slow and keep his head at natural level or lower so he
dont get it down the wrong tube. Thus tie him low so he cant raise
his head way up. Sometimes we just have to use a little force on
horses and I think this is one of those times. While you are at it,
hose him down too. Start with the hooves, up the legs, and do the
face last (or not at all). Most horses learn to enjoy being hosed in
hot weather, but keep it gentle around the private parts on a male.
That is one spot they often dislike the cold water. You want to end
with him feeling good, not panicky. Go slow. I might be wrong, but I
tend to think water on the external body will also add a very little
hydration internally too.

How is he? I'm worried !!!

.

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