' You can lead a horse to water but you can ’ t make him drink '
Proverb : A dialogue from John Heywood in 1546 , however the saying is thought to have been adapted from a saying that goes back to the 12th century .
Equine Dehydration
As the weather warms up , horses rely heavily on sweating for temperature regulation , leaving them prone to dehydration caused by a loss of electrolytes . The heat and sweat loss means it is essential to look out for signs of dehydration , which can cause a loss in performance well as other conditions such as Azoturia ( tying-up ). Performance / fast work , being ridden on hot days and travel can also cause a horse to dehydrate .
Electrolytes
Electrolytes are common minerals needed for all bodily functions and are lost when the horse sweats . Sweating can vary depending on several factors , including fitness , age and activity . There are five main types of electrolytes ; Calcium , Chloride , Magnesium , Potassium and Sodium . Alongside sweating , electrolytes are also lost in droppings and urine .
Typically , electrolytes are replaced by forage : well-maintained grass and good quality hay , for example . However , when a horse has sweated excessively or after a prolonged period without access to water , electrolytes will need to be replaced by other means .
Signs of dehydration to look out for include :
Lethargic : If the horse seems distracted and is not performing as well as usual , or if they generally seem lethargic , this may be due to dehydration .
Urine : Dark or frothy urine can also be a telltale sign that the horse hasn ' t been drinking enough water .
Gums : Another way to check if the horse is dehydrated is to look at the gums , which should be pink and moist . If the gums are tacky or dry , this gives you an indication that a horse may be dehydrated .
Capillary refill time : You can also press gently on the gum and see how long it takes for colour to return ( this is known as capillary refill time , or CRT ). The rebound should take one or two seconds , but it may take longer in a horse suffering from dehydration . It is important to note that an abnormal CRT can also point to more significant problems , usually associated with other clinical signs .
Skin : Perhaps one of the oldest known techniques is the skin pinch / tent test . Lightly tent some skin on the horse ' s neck using your thumb and index finger and release it . The skin should ping back flat immediately ; however , if it remains tented or is slow to flatten after you let go , the horse may be dehydrated .
Other indicators : Dark or dry droppings , a high heart rate , dull or dry eyes , a depressed state and a fever can all be signs of dehydration in a horse .
How to prevent dehydration in a horse
There are small and straightforward measures horse owners can take that will help prevent dehydration .
Fresh water : Perhaps the most obvious measure is to make sure all horses have constant and easy access to clean , fresh water , particularly after exercise or when out in the paddock . Horse owners should check the water supply and quality thereof throughout the day .
EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE : JULY 2021 • 39