Drought Strategies To Help Your Horses

off and provide an alternative trough.
Smelly water caused by algae can be treated by adding gardening lime Limil to the water a few cups per 1000 litres in a tank or a bag or more for dams depending on their size.
If you are using bore water it is a good policy to have the water tested as some highly mineralised water may contribute to the development of enteroliths stones that cause colic and require surgery to remove them.
Drought weather is usually hot so your horse will sweat more therefore require salt and other minerals. Having a free choice mineral lick and a separate salt block or loose salt is a start but adding minerals to their bucket feed is best to ensure each horse gets enough. If using licks make sure you have enough available for a larger herd so that all horses can access them otherwise the lower herd members dont get a chance to partake before the others move off.
If you are exercising your horse to a sweat then you may also need to supplement with electrolytes andor additional salt up to 3 tablespoons per day depending on how hard you exercise and how they tolerate the taste. Read more about the importance of salt here.
A nice big shade tree can accommodate the whole herd.
Remember also that shelter from the sun is very important in the dry summer months so ensure your horse has access to shade at all times. Watch that dominant horses arent hogging all the shade especially when theres only one shelter shed or shade tree.
Be very careful with rugs and if possible dont use them at all as the horse can then regulate their own temperature far better without them. Even cool cotton rugs can elevate a horses temperature as most are made from polycotton so the synthetic fibre content can trap heat.
To check if your horse is overheating when rugged take their temperature first thing in the morning when its cool then again during the hottest part of the day. Compare this with and without rugs on to see if there is a big difference or if the higher reading is outside the normal range. If it is you are stressing your horse and should remove the rugblanket.
There are many more things to consider during a drought including the option of agistingboarding your horse where there is feed or better water and shelter.

You need to weigh up the positives and negatives in doing so and do what is best for the horse at all times.
And if you can help other horses that have been abandoned or neglected by their owners during tough times please do so for the horses welfare.