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  Discussion on To encourage drinking in winter
Author Message
Member:
Wolfydoc

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2005 - 2:02 am:

Make some alfalfa "tea"! Soak about 3/4 to 1 pound of alfalfa hay cubes in 2 gallons of water until they are almost all completely "dissolved". Takes only about 20 minutes, depending on brand of cubes. Add about a half tablespoon of salt, stir, and serve. Serve in a large (~15 gallon or so) wide-mouth bucket. (If you serve in a regular 5 gallon bucket your horse will have a face soaked in wet alfalfa - not too good in subfreezing weather!)

Member:
Terrilyn

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2005 - 8:21 am:

What a cute idea....does this really work?
Member:
Deggert

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2005 - 11:53 am:

Cynthia
I have done the same with a couple handfuls of bran and little salt. I did not have to deal with freezing but would fill the bucket and make the bran malt. The gelding I was rehabing from surgery would wait with excitement at the gate while I made one and drink the whole thing. I got all the horses used to it in case I need to.
It is so true that neccessity is the mother of invention. Or desperation ...
Member:
Wolfydoc

Posted on Thursday, Jan 20, 2005 - 1:29 pm:

Terri,

I have four horses and they all will consume the entire thing, varying in speed from several minutes to about 20 minutes. I started doing it when I brought my Mountain horse home after major colic surgery, and I gave it to him 2-3 times a day. He drinks it up within a few minutes. You can adjust the amount of alfalfa/water ratio to your horse's liking, but the idea is to keep it primarily liquid. If 2 gallons seems like too much (he's drenching his stall bedding!) then back off on the amount of water. I just use 2 gallons first thing in the morning after very frigid nights for the 2 horses I have stalled, who don't have heated water troughs. They are also very hungry then, so it's a great time to give it. Otherwise, if I give it during the day, I give it BEFORE a meal so they are at their hungriest. I haven't met a horse who doesn't like alfalfa, although I'm sure there are a few. One important point: if your horse has never had any alfalfa, or at least never had any for a long time, I would introduce it very gradually. Feed changes done too quickly can precipitate colic.

Debbie, great idea with the bran. The other option is beet pulp. It holds 4 times its weight in water, so as long as you let it get completely saturated, it will deliver a good dose of water to your horse as well. Alfalfa holds about twice its weight in water when soaked thoroughly.

Cindy
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Saturday, Jan 22, 2005 - 12:36 am:

When we lived in the northern Sierras where temps at -40F weren't uncommon at night, drinking enough water was a major concern. We made "tea" (alfalfa/molassas) every a.m. for the horses. They loved it, and anxiously waited for their morning treat.
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