The Importance of Water
Written By Linda Kennard NAF
Provide access to plenty of fresh, clean water every book relating to the care of the horse includes this line. We all understand that this is good advice, but many of us don't tend to give water a lot of consideration as part of the horses diet.
Water is the most important nutrient required by the horse and frequently neglected. Water facilitates digestion and helps the absorption of nutrients. It is therefore essential for digestion and is a regulator of the horse's body temperature.
Approximately 70% of the horses body weight is made up of water, this relates to about two thirds in the adult horse and about three quarters in young foals.
Without water, almost all of the horses systems cease to function. There are numerous ways in which water is essential to the horse, listed below are a few:
Maintenance of the body's temperature
Aids digestion
Lubricates joints
Acts as a solvent for toxins and helps eliminate them through urine and sweat
Helps maintain skin elasticity
Helps cushion the central nervous system
Production of saliva
Another perspective on the importance of water to the horse would be to consider that the horse can survive up to three weeks without food, but without water they will only survive for five to six days. Within 24 hours the horse can loose about 4% of their body weight. After 48 hours without water 6.8% of body weight and after 72 hours it is about 9%. During a hot summer this figure can reach 16%.
Dehydration becomes obvious once the horse has lost 6% of his body weight or more. By this time dehydration has begun to affect athletic performance and digestive efficiency. The decreased digestive function can quickly lead to colic.
Symptoms of dehydration are:
Dry mucus membranes
Sunken eyes
A tucked up appearance
Slow capillary refill
Skin that has lost its elasticity
One of the simplest and most useful procedures to evaluate dehydration is to pinch the skin on the horse's neck, just in front of the shoulder, and observe the response. In the normal hydrated horse the skin will go back to normal very quickly. With slight dehydration the skin will remain raised for 2 to 3 seconds and with more severe dehydration the skin will remain raised for 5 to 10 seconds.
There can be a number of reasons for a horses becoming dehydrated:
Water is not made available
The horse finds it difficult to drink or swallow due to either jaw problems or a number of diseases
Water is not palatable
Water is frozen (winter months)
In foal or lactating mares have an increased need for water
Horses with diarrhoea, this makes thermoregulation difficult and contributes to a rise in body temperature
Excessive loss of water through sweating
But whatever the reason behind dehydration it is a situation that is best prevented. Always make sure that your horse has access to clean, fresh water regardless of the weather.
The summer months are a prime time for shows. While the hot weather makes the occasion more enjoyable for spectators, high temperatures and increased levels of humidity can severely compromise the competition horse's ability to function to its full potential. Always ensure plenty of water is available to you and your horse.
Recommended NAF Products: ElectroSalts,
Electrolyfe, Pink Powder, Rock Salt.
For further information please visit your nearest NAF stockist, call the Freephone Advice Line: 0800 373 106, email info@naf-uk.com or go to www.naf-uk.com
