Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Can horses get hyponatremia???  You know like people get from drinking too much water and then they dilute their blood plasma sodium levels too much and cause all sorts of awful problems?  I'm wondering, that if this was a concern, would it just be better to give more elytes to encourage drinking?  I'm sure that 4 to 6 gallons isn't overly much for a horse, especially if that is the only water that horse is drinking that evening, but just am wondering about where that line is of "too much of a good thing".  I've heard of horses having very loose stools and possible cramping issues from consuming a lot of water when tempted too by other means (such as really sloppy mashes, oat floats, flavored water, etc).  I'd also maybe be concerned about giving my horse that much of a sugar high the night before the ride.  Talk about an exciting mount in the morning!!!  Yee Haw!  =)

 

Not attempting to knock the poster, it's a great idea.  Just was wondering....

 

~ Crysta

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: sherman <sherman@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Aug 22, 2007 2:56 PM
Subject: [RC]   Horse Quencher?
To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

What amount of molasses do you consider quite a bit? My horse could use more water the "night before the ride", at least IMO.

 

Kathy

 

To get my horse to drink at rides I put molasses in his water....quite a bit.  Now that he's more experienced, he drinks well on the trail, but I still use the molasses water the evening before a ride, giving it to him in two-gallon buckets.  I can usually get him to drink 4-6 gallons from late afternoon until I go to bed.  Not all horses go for this, I suggested it to a neighbor at the last ride I was at, and her horse made a horrible face when he sniffed it!

 

Chip