Horse is a picky water drinker…could be a problem?
My mare lives in a stall with a run with a huge rubbermaid water trough with fresh, clean water, but she refuses to drink from it. Luckily, there’s an automatic waterer that she loves. I know this is just what she’s used to, but I’m afraid it could turn into a problem. When she’s out in turnout, she’s provided a water trough, but she won’t drink from it, even if she’s been out in the heat for hours. She happily drinks from a hose, but just won’t drink from a bucket or trough. What should I do if we’re out at a show and a hose or automatic waterer isn’t available? I’m thinking she might just have to drink from the bucket if she’s extremely thirsty, but doubt it since she’s so stubborn. Silly horse.
Some horses don’t like some water because of the way it tastes and a container can change the taste of it… I have heard of some people putting small amounts of vinegar in water to help neutralize the taste (you might want to look that up to see what the proper amount is to add before you try it though). I have also heard of adding a little powered gatorade to water to make it taste better as well.
Try these and see if it helps.
Also, of course you can lead a horse to water but can’t make them drink. It is bad for a horse to let itself become dehydrated especially when their diet consists mainly of dry matter. If she is not drinking enough but eating hay and dry pellets it can become impacted. So try soaking her hay and feed if you can. This way she is getting some water into her system and helps her food move along more smoothly too.
I got into the habit of soaking my horses food over the winter since they drink less water in the cold and I have continued to do it.
Yes and make sure she has access to salt.
Poultry Automatic Drinker / Waterer & Pressure Reducer . Fom: http://www.poultrystuff.com