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  Discussion on Excess water intake any time near water.
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Member:
corinne

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 7:03 pm:

There is a somewhat new warmblood stabled next to my horse, who was rather emaciated when the owners purchased him a few months ago. He was vetted extensively and there is nothing medically wrong with this horse. He has since put on weight but when ever near water will drink incensently to the point that in the stall they have had to restrict his water intake (per vet instruction) because all he does is drink and urinate. The vet called this a vice, perhaps related to his prior home conditions being restricted of food and water. He now gets 2 five gallon buckets a day if in due to inclement weather as to not completely go through two bags a bedding a day, but when out has free choice water in a 250 gallon tank, but the tank gets rapidly depleted in two days just between he and another pasture mate. Now his pasture mate has started the same behavior when stalled, will drink all his water instantly, looking for more, (probably thinks his pasture mate will drink all his supply) and this is not after work, or from boredom that we can tell. Both horses will drink from the hose while you are filling the bucket if allowed and literally will not stop.
I have never heard of such a vice. Would there be an issue with electrolyte imbalances if any of them are allowed to drink all they wanted? I would think so? If not, how much would a typical 1000 horse while in the stall need? I have also heard never to leave a horse off of water due to chances for colic?
This is not to give anyone any advice, but for my own edification just in case my horse picks up the habit and well because it has just brought up some interesting questions in my mind from a scientific viewpoint. Which is the best risk? Electrolyte imbalances or chances for colic? I am worried for any horse that might have this sort of habitual behavior. Trainers out there....ie...Dennis or whoever...how would you stop the behavior?
Member:
canter

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 8:00 pm:

Hi Corrine,
A mare brought to my barn last fall had the same issue of excessive drinking, started at the previous barn. There was a medical issue, unfortunately I can no longer remember what it was. However, the advice from the vet sounds similar: limit intake to what a horse of that size and weight would normally drink. In this case, the vet hoped the change of scenary would break the habit. For about the first month, intake was monitored and limited until the mare stopped rapidly depleting what she was given. At that point, she was allowed turnout with another horse (mine) and believe me, I watched that water tank like a hawk to make sure the other mare was leaving mine with water. For whatever reason, the behavior/illness changed/improved and it was no longer an issue, nor did she suffer any harm when the water was limited.

Sorry I'm unable to give you technical answers, but it does illustrate that while unusual, this strange behavior is not unheard of. Although I have to say it was a new one on me as well.
Member:
corinne

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 9:29 pm:

Thanks Fran. The owner is obviously worried and I am sure it's hard for the barn managers to keep on top of his having water in pasture but he is having the best of care as usual at our barn. It just seems so odd to be only a vice because in my medical mind I would just assume this is a medical condition. Saw a case on Discovery Health of a child with the same symptoms and he had a brain tumor. Of course I would also think about kidney function, water intoxication (although not sure if that is possible in humans but we did lose a troop to it when I was stationed at the AF Basic Training Base) and then with the restriction, if he is urinating it all out, with a hot OK summer ahead, I would think impaction, colic, and heat related issues would ensue. Should they be adding electrolytes to the water he gets in his stall?
Like I said as of yet, no medical condition has been identified and he had a pre purchase that pulled out all the stops. I sware he reminds me of a puppy that was a runt who eventually gets food and water and wolfs it all down in fear of where he is going to get his next meal. Poor thing. Even if he wasn't a great dressage prospect I know my friend was going to buy him based on the fact that she felt sorry for him and he is sooooo lovable. His skeletal frame was so disheartning. Now he has filled out, although his hips are still a bit pronounced but he is looking better each and every day, he is happy and friendly and just a great horse. Had a go on him today...what a trip for me to be so far from the ground...LOL...he is 16 something....I am so used to being on something pony sized. I felt like I was riding a train. LOL. I do adore both this horse and his owner.
Member:
amara

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 10:45 pm:

this sounds like it could be polydipsia/polyuria... i've known a few horses with this problem.. i'm sure Dr.O has several great articles on this if you run a search for it..
sorry dont have time to elaborate more but need to prepare for road trip

good luck
Member:
corinne

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 11:57 pm:

Thanks Melissa.....I should have typed in those words as I know the medical terms but didn't think too. Great article associated with PD/PU. I think this horse has the psychogenic version as his lab work on sale was normal (except they didn't get a urine Spec Grav). I will now be looking up more on psychogenic excessive drinking is there a cure for it. Either way the vet will be watching and I am taking the article to the barn. Back to reading other posts associated with the PD/PU. Sorry if I asked an already asked question....

Good Night everyone.
Member:
corinne

Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - 11:58 pm:

P.S. Be Safe on your road trip Melissa. I have a 240 mile round trip in the morning to lessons myself....must get to bed.
Member:
cgby1

Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 12:10 am:

Hi Corrine, I don't know anything about polydipsia but a radio station in So. Calif. had a contest where the participants drank as much water as they could to win. A woman died as a result and the station's DJ was sued. It's not the first time I have heard about that, years ago a doctor with a radio show also talked about someone dying from drinking an excessive amount of water. I think that the owner of the warmblood should make sure that he gets enough electrolytes until they can solve the problem. We rescued a cat years ago after his owners moved and left him behind. We moved in next door and he came looking for food. He would eat too much then could not keep it down, but he never drank too much water. We learned to feed him small amounts several times a day. They may need to limit his time in the pasture as well.
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