Hydration and Your Horse

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An average 1,000 pound horse can drink anywhere from five gallons of water a day to as much as twenty or more.  As with humans, weather and activity is a big factor.  Expect your horse's consumption to increase when it is hot or humid even if you aren't working him.  When you are exercising, training and riding your horse, expect even a higher amount of water to be required.

What your horse is eating has a great deal to do with how much he drinks.  A horse on a predominately hay diet will drink much more water than a horse grazing on lush summer pasture grass.

Even with easy access to water, your horse still may become dehydrated.  Keep the water source clean, fresh and cool.  Water sources that are dirty, stagnant or too warm deter your horses interest in drinking.  Take a look at his trough or bucket.  If you wouldn't drink the water that you see and smell, neither would your horse.

Hal Schott, DVM and a professor from Michigan State University, suggests making sure that your horse has access to salt so he can consume what his body needs.  Dr. Schott states that, "adding one ounce of sodium chloride (table salt) to the feed ration twice daily will help replace sodium and chloride lost in sweat and will make some horses drink more".

After exercise, offer your horse salted water then, twenty minutes later, offer plain water.  Studies conducted by Michigan State University proved that offering a saline solution as the initial drink after exercise resulted in a greater total fluid intake and recovery of body weight loss during the fist hours after exercise, as compared to only offering plain water.  Add 1 ounce of table salt to five gallons of water, then 20 - 30 minutes later, offer your horse plain water.  This is particularly effective for horses on long trail rides and when traveling.

I have known several horses who were rather finicky about water when traveling.  Like me, they probably did not like the smell or taste of water that wasn't from home.  

If feasible, and relatively easy for you to do so, consider bringing some water from home with you.  Another idea is to slowly get your horse accustomed to drinking slightly flavored water before travel.  You can do this by adding sugar free gatorade, apple juice or molasses to his water.  This way, when you are away from home, you can add the flavor he likes to the local water and stand a better chance of him drinking well.  Please remember, whenever you use flavored water, always offer a separate bucket of plain water!

K9 Hydration

No matter the season, water is crucial to your dog's health, during the summer months, it is even more important.  A dog's body weight is 70% water, so even a loss of only 5-10% of water means that your dog could suffer dehydration.

How much water does your dog need to drink daily?  Dogs should drink almost an equal amount of water for every calorie they consume.  In general, a healthy dog should drink 1/2 to 1 full ounce of water per pound of body weight each day.  Keep in mind that if your dog is very active or outside in the heat for an extended time, you should provide her with access to plenty of cool, fresh water and a shaded rest area.

 Dogs that are overweight can suffer more from the heat than dogs with an ideal body condition.  Carrying more weight means more stress on the dog's joints and muscles, as well as their respiratory system which they use to regulate their body temperature. Exercise and a portion controlled, balanced diet will help your dog maintain a good body condition and reduce the risk of heat stress.

Brachycephalic dog breeds such as boxers, pugs and bulldogs are especially prone to heat stress because of their facial structure affects their ability to take in air and efficiently pant to cool down, putting them at risk for overheating and respiratory distress.  Keeping these breeds in fit body condition and avoiding excessive endurance activities is crucial for their safety on hot days.

If you are exercising your dog on hot summer days, please be prepared and take extra steps to keep her hydrated.  During exercise, give your dog small amounts of water every 15-20 minutes.  Once activity has ended, do not immediately put a full water bowl down for her.  Wait until she is calm and has stopped heaving panting before allowing her to drink freely.  An overly tired and eager dog may quickly swallow large amounts of water and air which could lead to discomfort or stomach injury.

A Simple and Nutritious Recipe for Dogs

I came across this recipe by Lucy Postins (founder of The Honest Kitchen) and appreciate its simplicity while maintaining the nutritional support our K9 friends need.

Chicken with Yam and Coconut Milk Puree

2 lbs yams - peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes

6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 can coconut milk

4 large boneless chicken breasts

Preheat the oven to 375 (F), and lightly oil a baking dish with olive oil.  Add the cubed yams to the baking dish and shake gently to coat them with the olive oil.  Roast the yams in the oven for 40 minutes, stirring and turning after 20 minutes or so until edges are slightly crisp.  Remove from the oven and blend the yams and coconut milk in a food processor until the desire consistency is reached - it should be thick and hearty.

Cut up the chicken breasts into appropriate size pieces for your pet and saute in a pan.  Mix the diced chicken with the yam and coconut puree.

Water Safety

Recently, I came across a pet related statistic that surprised and alarmed me.  In the United States, over 3,500 dogs per year die from accidental drowning in pools, lakes, rivers and oceans.  Pet owners should be mindful of the dangers involved in swimming and boating for their pets.  Even the strongest swimmer can become injured, fatigued or swept away by strong currents and fast moving water.

Canine Life Preservers can aid dogs several ways.  The buoyancy of a good life jacket can minimize fatigue on extended play sessions, allowing you and your dog to enjoy water activities longer. Brightly colored life vests improve the visibility of your dog for boaters, jet-skiers and those being towed behind water vehicles.  In the case of extreme fatigue, strong currents or a blow to the head, a well made life vest can keep your pet afloat and strong handles can aid you in rescuing him or her from the water.

When choosing a life jacket for your dog, remember that a bright color, not usually seen in nature, is your best bet.  Blue, white, and some greens should be avoided.  Red, yellow, orange, and some neon colors are easily spotted from a distance and against the usual outdoor landscape.  Also, it is a very wise act to photograph your pet wearing the jacket.  If an accident occurs, this photo may be a valuable asset in their identification, rescue and return.

My personal favorites are listed below and were chosen based on personal use, customer reviews and durability.  While shopping for your pet's flotation device, think about the kind of activity it will participate in near (or in) the water and how often you will have them in that situation.  Take the time to prepare for your water-based vacation or activities to ensure a safe and happy experience.

K-9 Float Coat by Ruffwear 

Henry & Clemmies canine flotation

EZYdog Personal Flotation

Paws Aboard

Kyjen by Outward Hound

Water safety isn't just for our K9 companions - remember to keep your lake and boat cats safe too!

Quick DIY Meal for Cats

Here's a simple, 1 - 2 portion, recipe for a special meal for your favorite feline.

No cooking required, however, if you prefer to lightly cook this meal, simply brown the meat and veggie mix in a small pan, add cottage cheese prior to serving.  Allow to cool to room temperature before serving.

4 - 6 ounces of ground meat (beef or poultry)
1 Tablespoon ground carrot
1 Tablespoon cottage cheese
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1/4 Teaspoon kelp powder (optional)

Combine and food process all ingredients - cats need vegetables to be ground for optimal digestion

Yes, I feed my dogs grains.

    That stated, I do not feed my dogs corn based, grain-filled, over-processed commercial kibble. I cook for them. Stews, loafs, meatballs and gravies that are lovingly prepared are added to each meal. The active breeds in my household handle the carbs from grains well and I vary and mix the types of grains depending upon factors like their health, specific physical activity requirements and even seasonal weather.   Whole grains only make up 10% (or less) of any K9 friendly recipe that I prepare.     When fed appropriately and not over-used, whole grains are a cost effective way to include necessary minerals, proteins and long term energy storage in your dogs' diet.  When one type of grain is combined with others, the biological effectiveness of its protein is greatly enhanced because the balance of amino acids is more complete. Cats, however, do not digest grains well; they tend to make a cat's urine more alkaline and therefore can, over prolonged time, cause feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD).
    Many of us agree that corn, wheat and soy may cause allergic conditions of the skin and coat. The overfeeding of grains (and their high presence in many dry kibble brands) may be a factor in canine obesity which brings on a host of other health conditions including diabetes, hypoglycemia, poor dental health and gastro-intestinal upset.  Diabetic dogs should not be fed grains.
    For those of you who currently cook for your dog, and those wanting to give it a try, here are some basic grain facts.  Please remember to take your dog's health and nutritional needs into consideration, and if you are uncertain consult a small animal nutritionist.
    Oatmeal, barley, quinoa, millet and brown rice are quite acceptable grain choices to incorporate into a dog's diet.  Any grain used should be in whole form (from organic sources when possible) so that it contains the highest amounts of fiber, vitamins and minerals.

    Rolled Oats are highly nutritious and packed soluble fiber which is a proven cholesterol fighter.

Barley is high in fiber and easily digestible.

Millet is among the least allergenic of the grains and easily digestible.  It has a warming effect on the system and therefore beneficial to a dog's body on cold, rainy or snowy days.

Quinoa is a complete protein and a superb source of B vitamins and magnesium.

Brown Rice has a flavor most dogs enjoy and is a good addition to the food you make for your pup.  Be careful to not feed too much, as this grain can quickly have your pooch pack on extra pounds. 

  

Topical Flower Essence Fly Repellent

    While working in a friend's thoroughbred facility we often incorporated flower essence remedies in the compresses, poultices and cleansing tonics that we used.  One helpful tip that I would like to share is the rinse tonic that helped to repel flies and bites from other such insects.  It was generously applied by clean sponge after brushing (especially after a bath) and allowed to air dry on the horse.

3 liters (approx. 3/4 gal) water

1 litre (approx 1/4 gal)  apple cider vinegar

6 drops Crab Apple flower essence

6 drops Centaury flower essence