This came up after an acquaintance on Facebook recommended soaking hay for horses during our current Southern California heat wave. He insists it prevents colic and he was told about it by several top vets. He goes on to say those vets told him this is not common advice from vets because colic is a big money maker for clinics.
Before he posted this I had never heard of such a thing. In all my years of horse ownership I've never soaked hay for colic prevention. My trainer has never done so, and she's had plenty of colic prone horses pass through her hands. I don't know a single person outside this guy who does it.
So I'm curious. How many Ridecampers *have* heard of it, and who does it and why?
To be clear I am not talking about soaking of hay for any reason other than as an effort to prevent colic in a heat wave.
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I used to dump water over hay at endurance rides for hydration. I think it's a good idea for a heat wave. Just do enough that it gets eaten up within a short amount of time so it doesn't become a stinky grade mess.
Kathy Mayeda
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It’s not only idiotic, but it’s highly unethical. I do not believe any vet would refuse proper treatment for colic.
Barbara
I couldn't agree more Maryben. I have seen how affected a vet is when faced with the realization they are not going to be able to save a horse. To think they are doing it to make money is such a debased statement that it defies all logic 'to first do no harm.'
Sent from my LG G4, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone
------ Original message------
From: Maryben Stover
Date: Fri, Aug 28, 2015 5:34 PM
To: ridecamp;
Cc:
Subject:RE: [RC] To soak or not to soak?
This came up after an acquaintance on Facebook recommended soaking hay for horses during our current Southern California heat wave. He insists it prevents colic and he was told about it by several top vets. He goes on to say those vets told him this is not common advice from vets because colic is a big money maker for clinics.
Before he posted this I had never heard of such a thing. In all my years of horse ownership I've never soaked hay for colic prevention. My trainer has never done so, and she's had plenty of colic prone horses pass through her hands. I don't know a single person outside this guy who does it.
So I'm curious. How many Ridecampers *have* heard of it, and who does it and why?
To be clear I am not talking about soaking of hay for any reason other than as an effort to prevent colic in a heat wave.
Every Veterinarian of my acquaintance – large and small animal – would feel just as you. I am beyond insulted for them. We have soaked hay for metabolic syndrome/Cushings reasons, and have had Vets recommend wetting hay for other reasons if it was at all possible the horse would eat it. Some just won’t eat it if it’s wet, others don’t seem to mind or notice.
Nate, I wish I could meet you. I love your kind of humor!
Barbara
From: ridecampre...@googlegroups.com [mailto:ridecampre...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of 'Nathan Hoyt' via ridecamp at Endurance.Net
Sent: Saturday, August 29, 2015 11:25 AM
To: ride...@endurance.net
Subject: Re: [RC] RE: vets
Soaking hay gets more water into the horse with the hay, but the horse will drink less water as a result. Soaking hay doesn't prevent colic because it doesn't increase the net volume of water consumed. Any perceived benefit is a placebo effect.
I know, I always enjoy Nate's posts, amusing and to the point!
Anyone who suspects that veterinarians withhold information in order to make more money is a sad, little person. Veterinarians I have known through all sorts of trials and tribulations have been the best, I am thankful for their love of animals and patience with humans...
Carla Richardson
Soaking hay is good if the horse will eat it and if it doesn't go bad and then have to be thrown away, Another very important supplement that nearly every horse should have easy accesss to is loose salt in a pan. I actually give 4 TBS daily to all horses when the temps are over 90, they get it in a small pan of beet pulp and EGM's pelleted grass hay. Not a salt block as they are designed for cows' rough tongues. I did use wet hay here at home and on a 100 mile ride, seemd to work good, don't know if it changed but sounds or metabolics in any way tho.Kathy
Yes, it is not an easy job that veterinarians have dealing with the clients, and sometimes the animals are difficult as well...
Carla Richardson
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