Is Green Algae Harmful To Horses?

Blue-green algae can produce toxins that affect the nervous system and liver. Exposed animals can die quickly, or they can develop liver failure over several days. Get tips to protect your horse.

How do you keep algae out of horse water?

Up to two ounces of household chlorine bleach may be added per 50 gallons of water to discourage algae growth. Keep animals away from the trough for at least 30 minutes after adding the disinfectant to allow the chemical time to become thoroughly diluted.

What does a blue green algae bloom look like?

What do blue-green algal blooms look like? Blue-green algal blooms are often described as looking like pea soup or spilled green paint. However, blooms aren’t always large and dense and can sometimes cover small portions of the lake with little visible algae present.

Can horses get sick from algae in water?

Toxins produced by the algae are harmful to animals drinking the contaminated water. Microsystin, one of the toxins, affects the gastrointestinal tract, causing colic and diarrhea in horses.

Will horses drink dirty water?

If water is too dirty, unpalatable, or foul-smelling, horses will not drink it, leading to dehydration and other health concerns, including colic. In general, an idle horse will drink nearly one gallon (3.8 liters) per 100 lb (45 kg) body weight, about 10 gallons (38 liters) for a 1,000-lb (450-kg) horse.

Can my horse drink from a pond?

Natural water sources, such as ponds and lakes, can provide horses with suitable water.

Do horses only drink clean water?

Horses need fresh, clean water. If your horse isn’t drinking water, check their water sources. If it’s stale, has algae in it, or is dirty, your horse probably is going to refuse to drink it. You can keep your horse’s water fresh by having their buckets, troughs, and other water sources cleaned regularly.

How often should you clean a horses water trough?

Clean water troughs often: You should clean troughs about once a week by emptying all water from the tank and scrubbing it clean, making sure to scrape off any dirt, debris or algae. Then rinse the trough with a 10 percent bleach solution and rinse twice more with regular water.

Do horses need fresh water every day?

The average horse will intake 5 to 10 gallons of fresh water per day. Water is needed to avoid colic, dehydration and death.

Can a horse go overnight without water?

A horse can live for almost a month without food, but within a mere 48 hours without water a horse can begin to show signs of colic and can quickly become life threatening.

Do horses need access to water all time?

All horses should have free access to fresh clean water at all times, with one exception. Horses that are hot and sweaty and finished with their work should always be cooled down before offering them water. Giving water to a heavily exerted equine can cause life threatening colic or founder in horses.