From respiratory illnesses, to digestion issues, to heat induced illnesses, drinking water can be very beneficial for a sick horse. The only problem is that sometimes sick horses want nothing to do with a water bowl, and prefer to stand or lay by themselves. It is very important that your horse drinks water while they are sick, because avoiding water can cause dehydration which will make any illness even worse. In today’s article, we are going to cover the best ways to get a sick horse to drink water.
How to Get a Sick Horse to Drink Water
Here are the steps to get a sick horse to drink water:
- Clear, Clean Water
The most important thing to do when trying to get a sick horse to drink water is to make sure the water you are offering is clean and clear. A horse is smart enough to know the difference between clear and murky water, and a sick horse will certainly be deterred from drinking water that is murky and dirty.
- Altering the Temperature
Depending on your location and environment, your horse might prefer water that is not room temperature. For example, a horse that lives in a very hot environment might prefer colder water, while a horse that lives in a cold environment might prefer warmer water. In general, sick horses tend to prefer warmer water because it is easier on the stomach. We recommend testing out different water temperature to see what your sick horse prefers.
- Sweetener
There are many ways to alter the taste of water to be more attractive to a sick horse. You can use some natural juices or even drinks like gatorade to add some flavoring to the water to make it more enticing. We have found that many horses like fruit flavored water.
- Corn Syrup
It has been proven that giving a horse corn syrup will stimulate a horse’s thirst. We recommend just squirting corn syrup directly into your horse’s mouth. If that doesn’t seem to work, you can also try feeding your horse salt blocks or adding salt to its food.
- Applesauce Mix
Another great way to make a sick horse drink water is by making a mix of one teaspoon of salt and two tablespoons of ordinary applesauce. We recommend putting the mix into a syringe and applying it directly into your horse’s mouth. Soon after your sick horse will come to the water bucket to refresh its now dry mouth.
