Recent colic, how do I get my Arabian horse to drink?
Hi! Last Thursday, my 13 year old Arabian exhibited signs of colic (depressed, lethargic, laying down, trying to roll). After talking to my vet, I gave her some Banamine and walked her. I was hoping the treatment would help resolve the issue, but now she is refusing to drink and eating 1/2 of what she normally would. I have forced water into her with a turkey baster, watered down her hay, and even tried a super salty water/grain/apple mix. Still she has no interest in water. I live in Michigan, so the buckets freeze quickly this time of year. I cannot give her a heated water bucket with the way the electricity in the barn is set up. (It would blow the fuse to the water heater in the trough, then none of my horses would have water). Any recommendations on getting her to drink? thanks
It would be good if you could get some electrolytes in her, either mixed in her water, mixed in her feed or just put directly in her mouth. Try different amounts of water and grain, my gelding will eat it as almost soup but some won’t eat it but so wet. One trick that can help with a horse that wont drink is putting a powdered drink mix in their water, like koolaid or even better poweraid or gatorade. She’s probably not drinking because of the water temp though. The place where i kept my first arab I couldn’t have a heated bucket either but twice a day when i feed him i took a gallon jug of super hot water to add to his bucket so he would atleat drink twice a day. It may just be taking her a little while to get back to normal to. When in dout though call you vet and see if they have any ideas too.
You need to take your horse to the vet immediatly. Colic is very serious and fatal in horses. Surgery may be needed!
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She may need to be drenched with an electrolyte solution to perk her back up. Talk to your vet.
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Have you felt her throat really well to determine there isn’t an obstruction?
You know…you can lead a horse to water…..
Don’t worry over her too much. She will drink when she’s ready.
I used to give my collicy mare a turkey baster full of pepto bismol. She would take 1/3 and I would wear 2/3 but she would drink a lot after a dose of that, and her tummy would settle down. She’d be eating a pooping in a few minutes. Always such a relief. She was a senior and would go down hard with collicy symptoms. So you be the judge. Have you tried seeing if apple sauce appeals? Mine would drink after some a sauce.
Fortunately vet is open tomorrow.
Best of luck,
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I know nothing about horses but you are probably worried sick. The pepto bismol sounds like a good idea (?) hope she drinks soon for you. Just an idea does the vet make house calls, just so she can get cheked out?
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She probably doesnt like the cold water. I would use half hot water in her bucket and half cold. And give her electrolytes in her feed. Keep checking the water at night and keep it warm. You can also buy insulated buckets that dont need electricity.
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i definitely understand. there is just one place to have heated water at my ohio barn, and it is outside. on jan. 23 i lost my 23 yr old arabian mare, chestara of liver failure. I had her for 7 years, and from owning her, I know that arabians do not drink much. they are built not to. have you put water in her feed buckets? try putting electrolytes ( a powder, or you can just use gatorade powder) to get her to drink. we do this at the fair to make sure the horses don’t get dehydrated. also, horses won’t drink cold water. luke warm is best. try caring buckets of hot water to mix with the cold water. if she doesnt start drinking, her kidneys could be affected. talk to your vet about other solutions. good luck! cherish your horse, you never know how much longer you have with her!
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It would be good if you could get some electrolytes in her, either mixed in her water, mixed in her feed or just put directly in her mouth. Try different amounts of water and grain, my gelding will eat it as almost soup but some won’t eat it but so wet. One trick that can help with a horse that wont drink is putting a powdered drink mix in their water, like koolaid or even better poweraid or gatorade. She’s probably not drinking because of the water temp though. The place where i kept my first arab I couldn’t have a heated bucket either but twice a day when i feed him i took a gallon jug of super hot water to add to his bucket so he would atleat drink twice a day. It may just be taking her a little while to get back to normal to. When in dout though call you vet and see if they have any ideas too.
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