Keep horses well watered in the cold

Keeping a horse well watered during cold spells can be one of the more challenging aspects of winter horsekeeping.

Dr. Susan Bertram, Technical Services Veterinarian for Horse Guard Inc., a maker of vitamin-mineral supplements, says, "Wintertime poses a potential danger to your horse: the risk of impaction colic."

Colic is a general term associated with digestive problems in horses.

It can take many forms and is a serious threat to a horse's health.

Impaction colic occurs when a horse is dehydrated and feed becomes dry and impacted in the horse's gut, Bertram said. All gut activity basically stops, which is life threatening to a horse.

Horse owners and caregivers need to take several steps to insure their animals have adequate water intake. Ensuring that horses have free access to unfrozen water is the most important.

Tank heaters or insulated water troughs are ideal, said Bertram.

The expense and hassle of getting power near the water tank is slight compared to caring for a horse in a colic episode.

"A current research study determined if offered a choice, horses prefer cold water, but if they are offered only warm water, will drink more water," Bertram said. "Water between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal."

There are ways to entice horses to drink more water. A warm bran mash is one.

Local dressage rider Lea McFarland-Bushnell uses a favorite recipe of "a half a coffee can or so of bran (available at feed stores), a couple of handfuls of an alfalfa-molasses mixture that they love (also available at feed stores), and any extras such as daily wormer and vitamin supplements. Add hot water until it's the consistency of lumpy oatmeal or so."

An ounce of salt can be mixed into the mash or mixed with other feed. This is in addition to any free- choice salt that may be available.

A mash can be fed several times a week during the winter; more often during really cold spells.

Judi Knapp, owner of Knapp Friesians in Sisters, said, "Making sure our horses drink enough water in the winter is our biggest challenge. We'll feed bran mashes every day when it's really cold."

If possible, owners should monitor their horses' water intake. The minimum requirement for a 1,000 pound horse at rest is 10 gallons per day.

There are also hydration checks which can be done. Keeping an eye on the state of a horse's droppings will keep an owner somewhat in tune with what is happening internally with the horse.

If the droppings become abnormally dry, or contain mucus, it is a sign of dehydration. A skin fold check should also be done.

"Lift a gentle pinch of skin on your horse's neck or upper eyelid, and watch how fast it springs back into position. It should rebound almost instantly -- any delay is abnormal," said Bertram.

She encourages owners to practice this often to become familiar with what is normal for their horses.

Horse owners who are going through their first winter with their horses or are unused to Central Oregon's cold and dry winter climate should be sure to get advice from their veterinarian and others who are actively horsekeeping to ensure that their animals stay healthy.