Can You Make Them Drink?By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · December 7, 2010
Transported horses need to stay hydrated, but they often refuse to drink en route, especially if the water that is offered is even slightly different in smell or taste from what they are used to.
To make drinking more appealing, try bringing water from home; adding a little apple juice or other flavoring (start this at home a few days before travel); or offering a soupy slurry of well-soaked beet pulp.
The first grain offering after travel can also have water stirred into it. To avoid problems with mold, be sure to clean any wet, uneaten grain out the feed trough or bucket when the horse is finished with his meal.
