how do you care for a dehydrated horse?

Question

And what are the simptoms...when is it time to take him to the vet?

my horses are not dehydrataed i am just trying to educate myself on the symptoms as of something i can look out for since its getting hot. :)

Answer 1

Following are some indications of dehydration:

Failure of the skin to return to a flat plane when pinched and held briefly at the point of the shoulder, then released. The skin normally flattens out in one second or less. Dehydration is indicated when it takes the skin two to three seconds to flatten; over four seconds indicates the danger level of fluid loss is being approached.


Pressing the gum above the upper corner incisor tooth is another good test for dehydration. Press the gum using a finger and hold for a few seconds, then release and time how long it takes the color to return to the blanched area. Normal color refill time is one second or less, longer time indicates problems may be starting.


Jugular vein refill demonstrates the effect of dehydration upon blood volume. A veterinarian can demonstrate how to obstruct return flow of the blood from the head to the heart by pressing on the vein in the jugular furrow. It should immediately fill with blood and “bounce” when it is stroked while being held off.


Urine volume and color are indications of available water in the body for waste removal. If a horse is dehydrated, urine output decreases and the color becomes darker because it is more concentrated. Very dark, coffee-colored urine indicates the potential for a life threatening condition involving muscle degeneration and mineral imbalance accompanying dehydration.


The color of the gums and the inside of the eyelid are helpful aids in evaluating the hydration status of a horse. The normal color of gums and inside of the eyelid is pink or pink with a very slight yellow tint. Under increasing stress and dehydration the gum and eyelid lining become a bright brick red. The next step is progression to a bluish color which indicates oxygen is unable to be distributed to the vital structures of the body and carbon dioxide levels are too high.


The mouth becomes dryer as dehydration progresses and, in severe cases, sweating ceases.

Answer 2

If you don't know signs of dehydration and you think your horse is, then you need to call the vet. i agree with the pinching of the skin, checking the gums and all that. your horse will need to be pumped with fluids I.V. and/or have fluids pumped directly in the stomach by a vet. electrolytes in the water is a good way to prevent dehydration

Answer 3

You probably should not have something so large and so fragile if you've not informed yourself on some of the basics of these things. I mean no harm in saying that. The expense can cost you your horses life, and a second mortgage on your house if you don't know what you're doing, and try to reverse it too late.

Answer 4

I agree... and if there is something different about your horse, and no one around you knows, and you yourself dont know I would call a vet immediately, i mean you might think you are bothering him, but you're not, thats what they are there for. better safe that sorry right? :) i havent personally dealt with dehydrated horses, but im sure they wouldnt be up to par, acting sickly, and not interested in eating either. definitely call your vet, even if its a false alarm... you're not hurting anyone... but if you dont call, you might be hurting your horse. good luck with this...

Answer 5

It's time to take him to the vet NOW

Answer 6

you cant but the vet can