Re: a horse that wont drink

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

Obviously he drank water before now.

Let me guess, you moved, or moved the horse. (sometimes horses just
dont lke the water in some places)

Is the water chlorinated, softened, or some other chemical added?
(Haul in some water)

Could you have "bad water" (have well tested)

Is there some odd taste or smell to your buckets? (try a completely
different kind of bucket)

Is the water near an electric fence, fencer has a bad ground? In
other words, stray voltage is bothering him when he touches his lips
to the water. (Use a plastic pail, not metal) (have fencer and
electrical system inspected).

Is the horse depressed? Maybe he needs to be turned out with other
horses and when he sees them drink, he will too. Let the other horses
teach him to drink.

Does he have a bad tooth, abscessed for example, cold water can cause
pain in the tooth.

You CAN teach a horse to drink from a garden hose. I have done it.
Turn the hose on slow, let the sun-heated water to escape. Take the
horse outdoors and place that hose against the side of his lips. (just
the bare end of the hose - no nozzle). Its best to have a helper hold
the horse. Work the hose into his mouth. Use your fingers to raise
his lips if necessary. Try the hose on both sides of his mouth, and
try the front. You DONT want to flood him, but you DO want some water
to enter his mouth. As long as the flow from the hose is fairly low,
you should do ok. The only concern is that he dont inhale the water
into his lungs. If the hose is kept in the mouth and kept low on the
lips, with his head at normal standing position, you wont do that.
Finally, once you get him to drink, watch his eyes and ears. When he
had enough, pull the hose away for a half minute or so. Then try
again. Do this several times. Even people rest for a few seconds
when drinking. One last thing, let him watch YOU drink from the hose
before you start.

You have to get water in him, and if none of this works, your vet can
pump him with a tube down the throat, but obviously you dont want to
call the vet every day.

One last thing. I never tried this because I never had this problem.
However, I heard someone mention taking a 5 gallon bucket half filled
with water and floating some oats on the top. At least he will get
some water that way, but probably not enough.

As a last resort, how does he do when crossing a creek or standing
next ot a river or lake? Ride him to a creek, lake, or river and see
if he drinks the water.

Hope this helps. Followup feedback appreciated.

Great ideas! I am going to try the drinking from a hose idea, i will
let you know how it works out. The river is close by too maybe take him
for a ride. My hunch is this is psycological not medical...he is
unhappy ....I think.
thanks again
verneepoo


You are very welcome. I too suspect it to be psychological. Being a
part Arab, they are very sensitive horses. Get him with other horses
and out of that stall. Do it ASAP. If you dont have another horse,
rent, borrow, or buy an inexpensive Shetland pony. You can get older
ponies for a couple hundred bucks and despite their bad reputation,
they are actually very sweet pets even if you dont have kids. I love
my pet ponies. The pony is probably cheaper to buy than the vet
costs, and they dont eat all that much..... Of course you might just
find a neighbor to borrow you a horse too.

Another thing. Change the pail color. Some horses are bothered by a
certain color. Sounds weird, but I have noticed that with some of
mine. Even their tack color seems to matter with certain breeds.
They ride better when they are not bothered by the color of the
bridle.

One other thing. If you think he's depressed, and I assume you are
correct (go by your gut feelings), take him into a shady outdoor place
under a tree with nice grass, Take your lawn chair and sit next to
him with a pouch filled with horse treats. Have a pail of water near
his front legs. Spend much time with him, talking gently and petting
him so he enjoys it. Breathe in his nose and BOND with him. Brush
him if you want, etc. Make this a loving and fun time. The whole
time, play with the water. Rub it on his face, work a handfull
between his lips, try the garden hose too, if you wish. Try to keep
everything pleasant and offer treats when he drinks. You need to
cheer him up, and make drinking pleasant.

Of course, as I stated earlier, the taste of your water might still be
objectionable, and I know that horses hate chlorinated water. If you
have that, and have a well with a softner or chlorinator, run a hose
directly from the storage tank (before the water conditioner).
If you just moved this horse, you need to haul in water, buy bottled
water, etc...... Do not delay. He could colic and die if you dont do
something.

Lastly, while I dont care for doing this giving too much of this to
horses. See if he will drink some soda, beer, apple cider, anything
liquid. I have seen horses chug a bottle of beer, and the draft horse
people seem to do this often because they think it's funny. I dont
particularly like the idea, but at the moment, you got to do what
works to get liquid in the horse.

One last thought. Farm supply stores sell electrolyte powder for
cattle, swine, etc. This also works for horses and I have used it
many times. Get some, buy some bottled spring water in gallons, mix a
gallon as directed, and if you have to, bottle fed him with a turkey
baster, calf (baby bottle), or whatever works.

If your weather is as hot as mine, DO THIS ASAP.
This horse MUST get liquid in him NOW....

Use your inner feelings to determine what is the cause and act upon
it. Try everything till something works and do it NOW.

I must say this. If you just moved this horse, my bet would be the
taste of your water and you have to get other water. It's still
cheaper to buy gallon jugs of bottled water than call the vet, and
then find a more permanent solution.

Good luck

PS. Please tell us all the history of this horse. When did you move
him to your place, where do you get your water, etc?



.

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