A lack of water for even a short period of time can quickly lead to significant health risks. However, horse owners must learn that proper hydration is not merely about drinking. Their horse’s needs will vary according to diet, nutrition needs and performance demands, and providing this information presents a valuable opportunity to make a difference for your patients.
“The right nutritional balance starts with high-quality hay and pasture. That essential fiber supports proper digestive function and sustains hydration and electrolytes that a horse needs, especially a performance horse,” said Kristyn Sturken, Sentinel® Product Manager.
Though using diet to influence hydration starts with hay and forage, it doesn’t end there. The type of feed an owner provides can also positively impact a horse’s water intake.
Recommendations for keeping a horse hydrated
It’s important to remind horse owners that simply giving access to water does not guarantee a horse will drink enough. Water taste, smell and temperature all affect a horse’s desire to drink, and diet must also be considered. For example, if a horse is eating a lot of pasture, which has a high moisture content, it may drink less than if it’s consuming primarily hay, which is drier and could induce thirst.
With that in mind, here are some recommendations to share with owners to make sure their horse stays properly hydrated.
- Offer water: Encouraging a horse to drink can help stimulate thirst.
- Monitor sweat loss: High temperatures, humidity and intense exercise make a horse sweat, which might require using an electrolyte supplement to offset what’s been lost.
- A horse that is sweating normally will have a lightly moist, shiny coat, particularly under the saddle.
- Sweat will spread to the neck, chest and legs in a horse that is exercising harder.
- Forage: Forage provides a significant source of potassium, which can help horses maintain electrolyte balance.
Additionally, horse owners must recognize the signs of dehydration. If dehydration is not addressed promptly, risks to the horse increase significantly, and grave health issues may result. Help your clients recognize the signs of dehydration so that, if spotted, they can take immediate action.
- Elevated heart rate or pulse exceeding 40 beats per minute
- Elevated respiratory rate
- Changes in gum color or loss of moisture on the gums
- Loss of skin elasticity; pinch along the neck in front of the shoulder to test—it should retract without delay
- Sunken eyes
- Dark urine
- Reluctance to drink
- Colic
- Lethargy
Help a horse by soaking extruded feed
Extruded feed is different from pelleted feed; it is pressure cooked with moisture, which produces light, airy nuggets that encourage more chewing and, subsequently, more saliva production. Slower chewing and increased saliva production help maintain the precise nutrient balance healthy horses require and can support hydration.
In addition to easy digestibility that makes nutrients more accessible to the horse, extruded feeds can be easily soaked and prepared as a mash. This can be done much quicker than it takes to soak pellets and can provide extra hydration in horses who are not drinking enough water, which can also help to decrease the risk of choke and other digestive upsets.
Getting a horse to drink more water may help prevent certain digestive upsets associated with high-stress, high-intensity conditions performance horses might experience.
High-quality water and electrolytes in horses
Performance horses are particularly susceptible to electrolyte imbalances because of significant fluid losses from sweat. If an owner fails to replenish electrolytes, their horse risks increased fatigue, reduced muscle efficiency and worsened nerve function during competition. In severe cases, a competitive horse may experience serious health complications in addition to limited performance potential.
When advising horse owners about electrolytes, share how these key electrolytes can support their horse:
- Sodium (Na): Regulates fluid balance and is essential for nerve impulse transmission.
- Chloride (Cl): Works alongside sodium to maintain fluid balance and is a component of stomach acid, aiding digestion.
- Potassium (K): Crucial for muscle function and helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance.
- Calcium (Ca): Necessary for muscle contractions, nerve function and blood clotting.
- Magnesium (Mg): Involved in muscle relaxation and energy production.
Supplementing electrolyte intake for horses
While owners can use supplements to restore their horse’s electrolyte balance, they may not be aware that these supplements are available in an oral gel or paste formulation, or as an additive to the horse’s drinking water. As with all equine supplements, it is important to follow the label instructions or reach out, and remind them to reach out to you, their veterinarian, for support.
Salt is another way to help maintain electrolyte balance. Remind your clients that salt is an excellent way to stimulate thirst and encourage a horse to drink more water, which should always be available in a separate, fresh source.
Keep a horse hydrated for its health and wellness
A horse’s nutrient balance, diet, workload and lifestyle depend on staying well-hydrated, and that should be a particular point of emphasis to your clients during the hot summer months. It is crucial they understand the signs and behaviors associated with dehydration. This includes identifying the conditions that can accelerate risk. By teaching owners effective strategies to help keep their horse hydrated, you will ultimately help their horse enjoy a healthier life and could prevent serious health issues.
