Question

My horse recently had impaction colic due to very dry manure. Will Restore SR help her retain water, and make her manure wetter?

Answer

Keeping your horse hydrated is key to improving the consistency of your horse’s digesta and manure. It is important to make sure your horse’s sodium requirements are being met as low sodium levels can inhibit the thirst response and cause dehydration. Always offer free-choice access to fresh, clean water and plain white salt with supplemental electrolytes as needed based on environment, sweat response, and workload.

If your mare is a heavy sweater or is involved in a regular exercise program, Restore SR (Restore in Australia) can help, as it is a scientifically formulated electrolyte supplement. The composition of Restore SR mimics that of horse sweat, so it includes important electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, potassium, and magnesium. Electrolyte supplementation can help increase water intake and maintain proper electrolyte balance. Adding 1-2 oz of Restore SR to your horse’s daily ration may help ward off future incidents of impaction colic.

Additional ways to improve hydration status is to add water to the mare’s feed, or offer soaked beet pulp or hay cubes. If these are new feedstuffs for your mare, be sure to offer them in small quantities first and then slowly build to the full amount. Wetting hay can be helpful if the horse is on a hay-only diet. Horses seem to have a tolerance for wet feedstuffs, and most show no aversion to wet feeds and forages.