During winter your horse may be
more susceptible to dehydration and other ailments. Freezing temperatures turns
the water in your horse’s bucket to ice, reducing the amount of readily
available water. A horse’s body is made up of 60% water, with sweat glands
located throughout most of its body. The evaporation of sweat is the horse’s
primary way to regulate their body temperature, yet dehydration prevents these
natural processes. Severe dehydration can lead to a multitude of health issues,
including colic and kidney damage.
Is Your Horse
Dehydrated?
Explore the snow in your horse’s
pasture. Dehydrated horses’ urine leaves an orange-reddish hue, due to body
conserving excess fluids. Another sign of dehydration is capillary refill time.
Try pressing one to two fingers on your horse’s gum. Remove your fingers, and
see how long the area remains pale. If it takes more than one to four seconds
for blood to return to the area, your horse is likely dehydrated.
Combat dehydration in winter by
investing in heated water buckets. Even in freezing temperatures, the heated
water bucket will prevent your horse’s water from turning to ice. Your horse
will appreciate these measures, and you’ll appreciate a healthy horse come
spring.
Stumble It!
