Hydration in Fall
🍁Let’s talk about hydration in September, because this can be the month when horses suddenly decide water is optional. The weather cools off, the sweat dries up, and horses act like drinking is a summer hobby they’re no longer interested in. Owners see cooler temperatures and assume hydration isn’t a concern anymore, but fall is actually one of the most common times for dehydration‑related colic. It’s sneaky, subtle, and completely preventable.
🐎The reason horses drink less in fall is simple: their thirst drive drops. When they’re not hot, they don’t feel the urge to drink. Add in the fact that the water feels colder - sometimes downright chilly - and you’ve got a horse who looks at their bucket like it’s an inconvenience. Some horses are dramatic enough to boycott water entirely if it’s not the temperature they prefer. And because they’re not sweating buckets like they were in July, owners often miss the early signs of dehydration. Adonis and his “goldilocks ways” are a perfect example of this behavior and likely the reason for his subtle impaction colic last year. My vet labeled him as “dramatic” after that episode but I would honestly like managing a drama queen versus one who hides it- so I’m not going to complain about my princess gelding!
💦Those signs aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s dry manure that looks just a little more crumbly than usual. Sometimes it’s a sluggish ride where your horse feels like they’re moving through molasses. Sometimes it’s thick saliva or a vague “he’s just not himself” feeling you can’t quite explain. And sometimes it’s a mild colic episode that seems to come out of nowhere. But it doesn’t come out of nowhere - it comes from water intake dropping quietly over days or weeks.
😁The good news is that hydration in fall is incredibly easy to support. Salt is the simplest and most effective tool you have. If you have been with me for any amount of time, you know that my “soapbox” is built of salt! Plain table salt - not the fancy flavored stuff - is enough to stimulate thirst and keep your horse drinking. Warm water at feeding times can make a huge difference, especially for picky drinkers. My sweet donkey Ruby is adamant I warm her water in cold weather! Clean buckets matter more than people realize, because biofilm doesn’t care what season it is. And if your horse is the type who needs a little encouragement, flavored water or electrolyte mixes can help coax them into drinking more.
🍂Hydration isn’t a summer problem. It’s a year‑round responsibility with a September twist. Ignoring it is how horses end up teaching you very expensive lessons. Supporting it is how you keep your horse comfortable, healthy, and far away from the colic vet.
💖Happy Feed Scoop Friday-Go clean your buckets!🪣
