Water, water everywhere?
As things get hotter, please don’t forget to make sure your horse, pony or donkey has enough water to drink. A horse can drink between 5 and 8 gallons of water a day and in this heat it may empty several buckets of water before you’ve had a chance to refill them.
Our welfare department has been inundated with calls from concerned members of the public who have seen horses being left without sufficient water provided and we would urge all horse owners to be particularly vigilant during this hot spell.
If your equine is lucky enough to have a self-filling watering system, make sure the pipes are not blocked and that the trough or tank is refilling properly. Also, ensure that the container is clean and free of anything that could contaminate the taste of the water.
If you have to provide water yourself in free-standing containers, consider leaving an extra container out during the summer as your horse or pony will obviously need to drink more. Ensure that all containers are sturdy enough that they can’t be easily knocked over and that they don’t have any sharp edges that could cause injury
Also, your horse or pony will be your friend forever if you can provide some shade so it can escape the heat. And remember, your animals may be as thirsty as you but they can’t necessarily tell you so!
If you believe your animal to be dehydrated make sure you speak to your vet. Alternatively, telephone our welfare hotline on 01508 481008 for more horse care advice.
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