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New Member:
Cats

Posted on Thursday, Sep 19, 2002 - 7:54 pm:

My

horse is drinking to much water...

25 to 30 gallons a day.....

is that bad?????

to much alfalfa...

cushings diease...

kidney problem...

Please help
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Sep 20, 2002 - 8:53 am:

This may be a symptom of a serious problem catherine. To better understand the posiblities see our article on » Equine Diseases » Urinary System » Excessive Drinking and Urination, Polydipsia / Polyuria (PD/PU).

Alfalfa is NOT a cause of this problem but the other two would be on the problem list. After studying the article we will be gald to clarify any facts but you need to get your veterinarian to help you with this problem.
DrO
Member:
Cats

Posted on Friday, Sep 20, 2002 - 1:34 pm:

What would be the symtoms that my horse would show if she had a life threting
kidney problem?

my blood tests are set for Tues.
Im kinda worried something will go wrong
before that
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Sep 21, 2002 - 10:41 am:

That is covered in the article » Equine Diseases » Urinary System » Kidney Disease and Failure in the Horse. I can see by your last two posts that you read the article on PU/PD Catherine but there were links to both the above article and the one on Cushings that you aparently did not follow. Be sure you read the pre-existing information before posting a question. I think you will find the articles very helpful and up to date and best of all you do not have to wait for me to answer! After reading the articles I will be glad to clarify any questions you may have.

As long as your horse is not acting depressed, Tuesday should be fine but be sure you understand all the possible problems, don't just focus on one so you can be prepared on Tuesday.
DrO
Member:
Cats

Posted on Saturday, Sep 21, 2002 - 1:23 pm:

Thank you!
Yes, Im trying to get the hang of things
I missed one spot because I was looking in the wrong catagory....

Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Sep 22, 2002 - 3:23 pm:

I know it takes a little effort to get the hang. I spend much of my time thinking, "how can I make this easier?" and I promise to make it worth your while.
DrO
Member:
Cats

Posted on Thursday, Sep 26, 2002 - 6:15 pm:

Its Catherine again..

I got the blood test back from my horse

who was drinking alot and urinateing alot

The kidneys are normal,glucose is normal

and no diabeates...
still waiting for thyroid..

do you think at all this is a good sign

that it is not cushings..

my vet said this can not rule it out..

be warned....
that I should REALLY moniter her drinking and see if she really is drinking

more than the other horses...

if so we will put her on meds..

If not she just might be a big drinker

The test for cushings is costly

if I have to do it I will I was just

trying to look for a climpse of hope!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Sep 27, 2002 - 5:53 am:

Yes the first step is to determine whether there is anything really abnormal before you try and diagnose or treat a disease. I would have recommended you do that before spending money on lab work. Run enough tests and you can always find something wrong, even when they are healthy and not all diseases of the kidney that cause PUPD can be tested for with a simple blood or urine test. IF it turns out your horse is PUPD be sure you study the article on this thoroughly.
DrO
New Member:
Dskup

Posted on Tuesday, Jun 24, 2003 - 9:35 pm:

I recently had a partial analysis done on the well water that my horses have happily been drinking for the last seven months. The iron level was 5 ppm and it was impossible to measure hardness due to the high iron, but it was obviously very high. My horses are currently fine, but should I be worried about any long term effects?
Dan
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Jun 25, 2003 - 7:15 am:

Figure at 5ppm an average horse will consume about (5 mg/L X 40L/day) 200 mg a day. The article on minerals in a horses diet (Care for Horses » Nutrition » Minerals and Nutrition) has more information on toxicity of iron so should be able to answer your question.
DrO
Member:
Judyh

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 11:15 am:

I, and several others at my barn, have been at odds with the management of the barn as to water supply for the horses. I think that there should be a supply of clean potable water in front of them whenever possible. This past winter, when water lines were frozen, (buried hose) the horses would be out for six or seven hours a day with no water. Management's reaction was, "Horses in the wild may only drink once a day." And, "They are really quite resourceful and I have seen them drinking out of puddles in the front pasture." I wanted to reply to the first comment that our horses were confined to a pasture and didn't have the choice and gasped at the last remark.

We have finally convinced them that the water situation needs to be better in all seasons, although they don't agree with us, they are willing to placate us.

On a recent Sat. evening I checked the water in one pasture. The tank was half full, so the supply was there, but it was green. When I looked again on Monday there was no change and I reported it to the person checking water levels, assuming it would be taken care of. To my dismay, on Tuesday it was the same, so instead of counting to ten and being more diplmatic, I wrote a note "with attitude" on the board. I was then thoroughly reamed out and was afraid I was going to be asked to leave the barn. Those horses in that field had been out at least three nights in a row without access to potable water.

Are we being too particular? I checked with the vet and she was surprised as she thought it was one of the best-managed barns in the area. I also think this -- except for the water.

I have read Dr. O's article on water and it helped a little and barn management has pointed out that we have had no colics, but I'm still concerned.
Member:
Terrilyn

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 11:43 am:

I share your concern. I too would have left a note. Keeping clean water available is one of the things I am vigilant about...last week my daughter left for the afternoon and forgot to top off water in stalls. When I arrived home several hours later to feed and turn out, they all ran for the outdoor water tub and just drank and drank and drank....this was on a mildly hot (mid 80s) afternoon, and water had not been available for about three or four hours. I would press for a change, most definitely. Let us know how it turns out!
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 1:10 pm:

Years ago I had my mare at a ranch that didn't worry too much about the water, so I did. I cleaned out troughs and/or filled water daily. Will they let you take care of it yourself? I always checked the water where my horse was.
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 6:26 pm:

Leilani beat me to it; I was going to say I'd be searching for a hose and cleaning and filling the troughs myself. I am manic about horses having water! As she suggests, can you and maybe some of the other owners handle the water? Horses can go for hours without water, but they can also get choke, colic, dehydrated and have other problems...and drinking out of mud puddles doesn't "cut it."
Member:
Judyh

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 10:32 pm:

Yes, we agreed amongst ourselves that whenever one of us was at the barn, we would check on water availability and we have taken care of it ourselves. And when management sees us doing it, we get a smile and a thank you. I would like to find something in writing to convince them that we are not just being picky, and that will change their minds about water supply. The vet we use has talked to the owner about the necessity of water but doesn't want to get dragged into it too far (and I can't say as I blame her for not wanting to get caught in the middle). And, I don't know, maybe as long as they have water available to them when they come in, it's not that necessary that they always have water when they are out.
Member:
Leilani

Posted on Friday, Jul 2, 2004 - 10:48 pm:

I would never think of turning my mares out without access to clean water. Providing them with water when they come in does not take into consideration that they may require water before that time.

Accept the nods and the smiles and consider it part of being a responsible horse owner, but keep cleaning the water troughs and making sure your horses have access to clean water at all times. If they don't drink it fine, at least it's there. Just my 2 cents.
Member:
Kthorse

Posted on Saturday, Jul 3, 2004 - 7:56 am:

Unfortunatly there is no perfect barn. No one will look after our horses as we would. I have similar problems at my barn. If I have a problem I just go fix it myself. It shouldnt be this way though. If I talk to management they say they will fix it and dont , so I dont bother I do it myself. At least I have peace of mind.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Saturday, Jul 3, 2004 - 8:17 am:

In the article Water, Water Quality, and Watering Horses we discuss this and present some research on intermittent watering of horses. Just select the link off the navigation bar above.
DrO
Member:
Judyh

Posted on Monday, Jul 5, 2004 - 2:25 pm:

Thanks everyone for making me feel as if we're not expecting too much in wanting clean water for our horses. We have been hesitant to "Just do it ourselves," because we haven't wanted to offend. But, I guess it's gotten beyond that. If we do it and get thrown out, I guess we are really better off.
Thank you Dr. O, I did read the article and felt better about interrmittant watering.
Member:
Makakoa

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 12:17 am:

Hi, Dr. O. and all:
Recently I have become the owner of a retired eventer, a 20 yr old TB gelding. This is a terrific horse , but we are running into a possibly serious problem.

A little history:
one year ago, this horse had colic surgery for an intussusception, and recovered very rapidly and without complication. However, in the past year, he has on several occasions experienced a mild colic that seems to be associated with decreased water intake. His previous owner told me that she fed electrolytes in winter to encourage water intake, and always had 2 buckets available. I have given him 2 buckets...one is insulated without heat, and the other is an electric heated bucket. Both buckets are washed daily and are sparkling clean. He is getting electrolytes added to his pelleted ration daily. His diet is a pelleted feed (Patriot Feed Easy from ADM Alliance, a forage type feed) and good quality mixed orchard grass/timothy/alfalfa mixed hay (which has been analyzed for digestibility, etc.) He also gets a joint health supplement (CortraRx liquid) and a probiotic.

I have owned him since September, and on Oct 29 after a sudden weather change (DrOp in temp) he showed signs of abdominal discomfort. Vet came and horse was already looking better, but we did the mineral oil/water tubing thing anyhow, just to be careful. Horse immediately improved. Now tonight (Dec. 5) we had another similar episode.
Again, temperatures very low & horses were confined to stalls for 2 days due to widespread ice after freezing rains. Again, signs of mild discomfort, and this time vet noted that horse appeared to be about 5% dehydrated. Again tubing, etc., with almost immediate improvement.

How can I get this old guy to drink more?? Does anyone have any tried and true methods that I haven't considered? Here are my ideas:
1. Increase salt intake
2. Provide very warm heated water 2x daily
3. Add some sort of flavoring to one bucket
4. Soak pellets and offer as a mash or soup
5. Increase hay intake (but I worry that this might add to colic problem if he doesn't drink more)

Vet has suggested that we add one half cup of mineral oil to feed once per day to help keep bowel lubricated, but I still feel that a greater water intake is required as well.

I hope that you all will have some helpful ideas for me!

Thanks awfully,
Anne
Member:
Hwood

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 2:45 am:

Hi, Anne,
If your horse will eat it, I suggest that you soak his grain in water in addition to giving him plenty of warm water. If he eats the soaked grain you know he is getting SOME water. Some folks on the site have suggested making an "alfalfa tea," and I know that people also add apple cider vinegar or kool aid to flavor the water. I have dissolved a few Starlight Peppermint DrOps in warm water to encourage my oldest guy to drink, and it worked well.
Member:
Makakoa

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 9:18 am:

Thanks for the suggestions, Holly. I will definitely try them all. He does like mints, so that might be a good place to start. He doesn't get actual grain, just his forage first pellets, but they would certainly soften up in water for a mash. I've thought of soaked hay cubes, as well.
Anne
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 11:05 am:

I would try adding salt to his feed also. If you soak his hay, sprinkle it liberally with salt. I've found a lot of times an increase in salt will get them drinking more, and sometimes the horses don't go for the salt lick for some reason, but seem to relish it in their feed.
Member:
Pbauer

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 11:33 am:

Hello Anne,
I'm using a product called Aqua-Aide made by Progressive Nutrition. It was given to me by my veterinarian. He told me I could use it everyday. Instead of adding it to water, he suggested adding it to grain. They seem to love it( I mix it in well). Stool is normal...just had it checked.

Aqua-Aide states: Reduces fatigue, dehydration, muscle cramping and stress, speeds recovery after workouts. It is an advanced electrolyte formula.It contains: Dextrose, Sodium Chloride,
Potassium Chloride, Lecithin, Magnesium Sulfate, Calcium Citrate, Potassium Citrate, Hydrated Sodium Silico Aluminate, Fumaric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors and preserved with Citric Acid. Guaranteed Analysis.

This product is not available online. It can be purchased through a dealer listed on Progressive Nutrition.

EQUITEA, made by Equine America, is a product that I might try after I've used up all of the Aqua-Aide.

EQUITEA is suppose to encourage a horse to drink. It states: Great-tasting hydration supplement promotes increased fluid intake while also delivering electrolyte replenishment. Some electrolyte products actually worsen dehydration through the ingestion of imbalanced consumption of salt without sufficient water, whereas EQUITEA,improves hydration in many difficult situations...weather changes, etc. It contains dehydrated alfalfa meal, dehydrated molasses, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and magnesium sulfate. Dosage: Mix 8oz with 5 gallon clean water. Also provide fresh drinking water. Guaranteed Analysis.

This product is available online at: www. horsehealthusa.com.

I hope this can be of help.

Regards,
Tonya
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 12:02 pm:

There is a home made "gatoraid" you can make when you are concerned about horses becoming dehydrated or having electrolyte imbalance. It uses regular table salt (not iodized) baking soda, and low-salt. I have the exact proportions on the board in the barn and I'll post it later. You mix it in a gallon of water. The horses slurp it right up if the need it.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 6, 2005 - 5:09 pm:

Hello Ann,
We discuss many of these subjects in the article and the other discussions in this topic. You should study the parts about how temperature effects water consumption. What ever you do however the horse will decide to drink depending on what is body tells him about his hydration status and increasing salt intake may well increase water intake but it will also cause him to urinate more reestablishing what is body says is right. This applies to the electrolyte products listed above. You should have a trace mineral salt block out and placing the water close to where the hay is does help in my opinion.

What you really want to do is increase the fecal water content and I suggest the use of several tablespoons of Epsom’s Salts 2 or 3 times daily mixed in the feed as a safe reliable way to accomplish this.
DrO
Member:
Makakoa

Posted on Sunday, Dec 11, 2005 - 11:56 am:

Thanks Dr. O and everyone, for the helpful suggestions. We are trying several of them, and so far, have had some success. I'm grateful for all the help!
Anne
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