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Changes in drinking habits can be a subtle clue
to sickness and optimal hydration is the front line
of defense for beating illnesses. Water aids in temperature
control, as a solvent it lubricates the joints, and
acts as a cushion for the central nervous system.
Injuries, especially those involving a loss of blood,
dramatically increase the horse’s requirement
for fluids, and a horse on box rest due to musculoskeletal
injury including hospitalisation or restriction of
exercise after surgery, can trigger colic. Water lubricates
the gut and exercise keeps it moving, removing the
excess digestive gases that build up during the day
that can contribute to impactions. One study reported
box rest was associated with 54% of impaction colic
cases; another study found 62% of colon impactions
occurred within two weeks of box rest. Significant
orthopedic pain from hind limb injury or surgery is
also a risk factor in developing an impaction, so
a box rest diet needs to include plenty of water.
A horse’s body weight is made up of 60-70% water.
In cases of severe diarrhea, in which the loss of
water can be very rapid, dehydration can occur in
a very short period of time --- just 20% loss of water
can cause instant death. One of the early clinical
signs of diarrhea is depression, which can further
decrease water consumption and therefore worsen the
dehydration. Illness, especially colic and stress
(from box confinement) can also cause a high degree
of sweating and extreme sweating can be a significant
cause of dehydration. Foals with a ruptured bladder
have varying degrees of dehydration and horses with
choke cannot swallow and therefore cannot consume
water, which can lead to dehydration. In addition,
they cannot swallow their own saliva so that is an
additional loss of water in the face of not being
able to consume any.
But how do you get a sick or injured horse to drink?
You know the old saying …. New product Horse
Quencher entices your horse to drink. It is irresistible,
even to the sickest horse. When you put the muesli-like
mix into a bucket and fill it with water, horses drink
up immediately.
Horse Quencher should be an essential item in every
horse owner’s first aid box for preventing this
delicate fluid-illness balance from being disturbed
and for combating dehydration caused by stress, box
rest, and fighting off colic and other diseases. With
a two-year shelf life and with sachets costing just
£3 each a tub measure just £1, Horse Quencher
is inexpensive ‘health insurance’ to have
on hand so you are ready when you need to get your
horse to drink. It’s certainly a lot cheaper
than a vet bill!
As well as casual and professional riders, Horse Quencher
is becoming a staple with equine vets, rehab yards,
and veterinary hospitals. David Scott, Senior Partner
of Isle Veterinary Group, uses HQ in his practice.
David says: “Excited and stressed horses do
not usually choose to drink; as a veterinary surgeon
and rider I usually find that this is when their fluid
needs are at their highest, i.e., after strenuous
exercise such as hunting or eventing; during long
work such as endurance or long pleasure rides; after
surgery, either under sedation or general anaesthetic;
during and after recovery from colic of almost all
causes; during any management change i.e., staying
at shows or sales; low grade exercise in extremely
hot weather. Encouraging drinking during these periods
can be frustrating and failure to achieve reasonable
hydration status during periods of increased need
can have severe health consequences. I personally
use Horse Quencher for my hunters before the long
journey home, they would always refuse fluid before
and then drink huge quantities at home; all surgical
patients are introduced to it before surgery so that
they will actively drink afterwards reducing the ‘bunging’
effect of surgery as fluid intake increases gut motility;
for colic patients especially those with colonic impactions
where one of the classic problems is their refusal
to drink.
“This product can truly help in those situations
where horses need fluid but for whatever reason will
not drink.”
“Let your food be your first medicine”
is an adage attributed to Hippocrates, the father
of medicine. While he did not mention water, we know
that water is essential to promote good health in
horses. In fact, water – the often forgotten
food – may be the “best medicine”
for a number of specific ailments.
Available in mint, apple, butterscotch and root beer
flavours, Horse Quencher can be purchased in inexpensive
sachet-format or tubs of two sizes: a handy, portable
25-serving tub or a 144-serving tub for larger yards.
For more information telephone 01842 879161 or visit
www.horsequencher.co.uk to view and buy online.
For more information
tel: 01842 879 161 or visit www.horsequencher.co.uk
to view and buy online.
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