 |
[RC] re:horses wont drink (in a big hurry) - Teresa Van HoveAt the water tank were two horses, with two riders sitting atop their horses telling them to "drink, dammit">>>>>>> I see this fairly often - even before/after rides and at holds. Walk horse up to tank, horse does not put nose in and drink within 3-5 seconds so conclude they wont drink. Grey will often make me get between him and 'that possible horse eating monster' before he'll drink. But he's watered out of windmill tanks (which he's never seen at home) as long as I got down and stood between him and the windmill. The advice to slow down and walk up to water on the trail is also good. -Course there will still be times when they wont drink like they should, but it sure helps if you give them a good chance. - When Grey is impatient to get going he knows he should put his nose in the water and slosh to signal "see I'm really just not thirsty yet" and at that point I'll usually let him leave the water. I've yet to own a horse that wanted to just hang out by the water tank for a break like Ed suggested though I'm sure they do exist - and I'm not pushing my horse's pace so I spose that also comes into play as far as what I've experienced. Grey also usually gets to look for a couple bites of grass only AFTER he drinks or at least sloshes, and this will probably be even better incentive for Shade for drinking. -- Teresa and Grey Moun and Shade =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
|