Hot Toddy for Horses
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Shiloh seems to enjoy winter
Like many horses, Shiloh likes to stand in the snow and let it blanket her back even though she has 2 sheds to choose from. But when it gets really cold and windy, and horses might not move around as much, we worry about them getting enough water. Shiloh and Brandy chug this concoction, and even picky Bronzz sometimes enjoys it. In winter we make it warm, adjusting to each horse's preference. In summer, it can be served chilled to encourage drinking. Ingredients and proportions are flexible. Experiment to see what's popular at your barn.
For each gallon of water add:
1 Tablespoon plain salt
1-2 Tablespoons molasses
2 Tablespoons apple juice (optional)
A handful of oats (Since I don't keep horse oats on hand, I throw in a handful of the same oats I cook for myself.)
An alternative suggestion comes from reader Prin Furst. "Warm water with a few packets of flavored oatmeal works well. My horses like the brown sugar instant oatmeal packets...The oatmeal floats and the sugar flavors the water. Works well for sick horses also."
Scroll down for more tips to keep your horse hydrated...
Brandy loves her hot toddy!
These also work to head off dehydration in warm weather. Medical research shows that it IS safe to let a hot horse drink cold water after a workout. Some tips for reluctant drinkers include:
- Flavor the water with apple juice or some other flavoring your horse likes, especially useful when enticing him to drink "foreign" water that might taste funny to him.
- Offer lightly salted water (1 tablespoon per gallon) after a workout. Replace it 20 minutes later with fresh unsalted water.
- Offer your horse watermelon which is 92% water.
- A tip from reader Prin Furst: "I use the Gatorade trick for horses that won't drink strange smelling water away from home. Find your horse's favorite Gatorade flavor and add to water at shows. My horses favorite flavor is fruit punch."
- Serve soaked beet pulp or chopped hay.
- We soak our regular hay by putting it on a plastic toboggan and watering liberally with a watering can. We cover it and let it sit for a few hours before serving. This isn't the same as submersing in water to reduce sugars, but the hay soaks up a lot of moisture.
Reference:
Hands On by Katie Frank and Melinda Freckleton, DVM
Equus Magazine June 2011
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