This message is from: Robin Churchill
We usually don't have this problem where I live but I take something we do in
very hot weather and also use it when the weather is cold. I know some people
are going to laugh and think we are crazy (which is probably not far from the
truth) but in my part of Florida, we give our horses Gatorade in the hot
weather after work when they have sweated a lot. I add electrolytes to it
because the amount of Gatorade we give is not really for electrolyte
replacement. After work, we give them an 8 quart bucket with 2 or 3 scoops of
the powder. I use the lemon-lime, orange or blue so when they splash it on
you, your clothes don't get stained. In the winter, if it gets below 50 at
night which is cold for us, they really slow down their drinking so I throw a
couple scoops in one of their water buckets at night and the bucket is empty
in the morning. This also works if you want them to drink on the trailer or at
a show. Any drink powder can be used, in fact, I
have used crystal light for my warmblood that has had laminitis in the past.
The downside is that some of them like it so much that they become almost
crazed when they smell it or think you are making a bucket or giving some to
another horse so the rule here is that they don't get it until they are rinsed
or sponged and ready to be turned out and they have to stand politely without
pawing or being rude in the crossties.
Robin in chilly, windy SW Florida
where it hasn't gotten out of the mid 60's for the past couple days and it is
going to get in 30s tonight. Brrr--I know we're a bunch of wimps.
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