| Water |
June 16, 2008
by Bonnie Davis
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I'd like to remind all of you now that you're beginning to trail ride, haul, show and horse camp more to take WATER! Don't rely on a water supply at the trail head or campground or anywhere you're going. It might say "Water Available" on the brochure or in a book or on a map but that doesn't mean water will actually be there!!
When I travel always take two of the 5-gallon plastic water cans with me. They're rectangle so they fit into a corner in the trailer or truck. It's water from home and Nic will drink it. Plus remember that water pail so you have something to pour water into.
If for some reason you can't get a horse to drink, try mixing some apple juice in. Or use one of the new Horse Quencher packets that are on the market. They work great. Nic likes the apple flavor. Houston goes for peppermint. You can even mix 'em in bran mash so it gets flavored to.
I use the little individual travelling packets 'cause they only mix for one gallon and can be tossed into towing vehicle glove compartment, put on trailer door tray, in first aid kit, dropped into saddle bags. You always have water enticement for that I-won't-drink-it-because-I-know-it's-poisoned horse. You can get more information on 'em at Two Horse Enterprises, www.twohorseenterprises.com.
When thinking about your horse, don't forget your dog when you travel. Lots of horseowners also own a dog. Beginning July 1st in California "a dog cannot be left alone in a vehicle for longer than two hours." I'm not sure who is going to patrol that, but for me, Holly goes just about everywhere so it's going to mean I have to figure out what to do with her. I don't want to board her for a day or leave her at home. When she travels with me, she has a water dish, feed dish and one of those little battery operated fans that blow on her while she sits in front or hops into the back. The bed of truck is covered so I have a fan back there for her too. Plus, in the truck bed are her blankets to sleep on, a few hundred chew toys (if you own a dog you know what I mean!!), another water bowl and a feed dish. And the side windows are opened as are the cab windows. So she may pant but it's not from the heat -- it's from being excited and her "Hey, I'm going. Look at me" attitude.
If I'm taking a cooler I buy bags of ice, fill the cooler with drinks and then dump ice on top. That way I can have a cool drink after a ride plus take some of the ice out, put it in a bucket and offer it to Nic. He likes to crunch the ice so I know he's getting water. Plus a couple handfuls go into Holly's water bowls. (As I've said before, I never take a dog with me on trails so she stays in the truck.)
When back home, I dump the water out and be sure to leave the lids off cans. Since plastic can get a 'sour' smell, pour in about 1/4 cup of baking soda, turn the can over and let it be. Baking soda will keep can smelling sweet plus when the can is needed again just rinse it out, fill it, load it and go. Baking soda won't hurt the horse if any is still in the can.
Have some good rides......and stay safe!
Bonnie
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