Horse Refuses To Drink? Add Drink-Up to Water

Dehydration can lead to colic and other health concerns in both healthy and hospitalized horses. As many horse owners and veterinarians know, horses will only do what they have a mind to do. When horses refuse to drink water, their managers will often tempt them by adding flavorings or other inducements. Does this coaxing work?

Researchers at Washington State University set out to determine if adding flavors to water would boost consumption among 40 hospitalized horses.^* The horses were divided equally into four groups, three treatment groups and one control group. The treatment groups were provided two buckets of water, one standard 18.9-liter bucket of plain or unflavored water and one 18.9-liter bucket of water flavored with sweet feed (1 cup or 0.125 kg), peppermint extract (10 ml), or apple-flavored electrolyte (1 oz). The control group was given two buckets of plain water. Water consumed from each bucket was recorded for three days.

Researchers found that horses drank more water flavored with sweet feed than unflavored water. On the contrary, horses preferred plain water to water mixed with peppermint extract or an apple-flavored electrolyte.

Results of this study, according to the authors, “underscore the importance of ensuring horses have access to unflavored water even when attempting to increase voluntary water intake by seemingly appealing means.”

One hydration aid scientifically proven to increase water consumption is Drink-Up, manufactured by Kentucky Equine Research. Drink-Up contains a blend of floating and soaking ingredients that encourages horses to drink to the bottom of their buckets.

Drink-Up is especially useful for horses that travel often for competition but refuse to drink unfamiliar water. According to the research, 90% of horses offered Drink-Up increased their water intake. For horses that are especially reluctant to drink unfamiliar water, it is best to acquaint them with Drink-Up at home. Drink-Up is sold in convenient 80-g sachets, perfect for traveling.

^*Van Diest, T.J., C.J. Kogan, and J.J. Kopper. 2021. The effect of water flavor on voluntary water intake in hospitalized horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. In press.