Equine Water Consumption, Facts you NEED to Know by #TeamDiO Member Caroline Ashley

The equine body fully mature is about 65% water. Humans are 60% water. So think about it, when yourthirsty do you go get water? When you get thirsty at an event, there is a chance your horse is thirsty too.So in this post, I am emphasizing the importance of hydration in our equine athletes. As we are finishingup the heat of the summer here in Texas, hydration and water consumption start to become less andless on our mind. When a horse goes up to two days without water, signs of colic start to set in and yourhorse is in danger of twisting a gut. When temperatures start to plunge, and the weather becomes lessthan ideal, for our equine partners. We need to provide support for their bodies, to do this you can dovery simple things that can avoid that expensive vet bill.

I personally have a salt block out in the summer months under a covered area, like a stall. I use a mineralblock during the winter. Before a show, I want to make sure my mare is as hydrated as she can be,better hydrated, faster times. A good friend of mine Alissa Kelly taught me to give loose electrolytes theday before I run, I have done that for every run for the past year and I have no problems when I get to arace. It is a very common problem that horse owners get frustrated at a show because their horses willrefuse to drink the water. It stinks, it isn’t home water! We can help them though, offering tasty water,add some Gatorade in the water or even some Coca-Cola. I also will use the Horse Hydrator water filterif I notice that the water has a very pungent odor. The fastest and easiest way to notice if your horse isdehydrated is the “pinch test.” On their neck take a pinch of skin, if it retracts as quickly as you grabbedit, their hydrated. If it takes a few seconds then consider giving them some electrolyte paste.

The biggest reason why I love talking about electrolytes is that it is such a common sense thing that isoften looked over. Equine can't go without water like some stubborn humans. They need it for theiroverall health. The bunches of money you are spending on supplements and feed, it could be optimizedby adding an electrolyte to their food after a workout. Joint, Hoof, Skin, Gut, Immunity, NeurologicalHealth are all highly impacted by water intake! IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR EQUINESHYDRATION, CONTACT YOUR VET!

My recommendation for Electrolytes, NASC Approved,MVP Electrolytes: Apple-Lyte (Salt, Max 7,938 mg) Dextrose, Glycine Calcium Carbonate, DicalciumPhosphate. ELECTRO-CELL II (Balanced essential electrolytes, Glycerin and Magnesium)