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[RC] combination auto-waterer and branding iron - Susan E. Garlinghouse, D.V.M.Just a quickie comment here on providing water during hot weather. At rough count, I think I've been to see maybe a dozen colics in the last ten days that were at least indirectly related to insufficient water intake. At more than a few barns I visit, water is provided via automatic waterers, especially the ones where the horse presses a paddle with his nose to dribble water into a small bowl. Very often, the watering device is sitting out in direct sunlight. During this recent bout of 105 degree weather we've been having in So Cal, I can't even put my hand on the paddle device without frying the skin off, plus the water in the bowl and/or supply pipes is hot enough to sterilize surgical instruments. Several times the horse was standing there just staring at the bowl, and when you run the water for him long enough for the water to get cool, they don't stop drinking for 15 minutes. This shouldn't be brain surgery, folks. If you like your horse, provide him with cool water he can get his face into. If you don't like your horse, sell him to someone who does, but for pete's sake, don't make him stand in hot weather without water. Rant over. Susan Garlinghouse, DVM, MS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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