The Effect of Water Flavor on Voluntary Water Intake in Hospitalized Horses.

This research studied the impact of flavored water options on the voluntary water intake (VWI) of hospitalized horses. The study found that providing flavors such as sweet feed and peppermint could mildly increase the horses’ water intake, which is crucial in preventing the risk of colic.

Introduction to the Research

• This study focuses on the challenges associated with keeping horses hydrated when they’re hospitalized. When in a hospital setting, horses often decrease their water intake—which may enhance risks of developing colic, a dangerous digestive disorder.
• The primary objective of the research was to find out whether offering horses flavored water—specifically flavors like sweet feed, peppermint, or apple-flavored electrolytes—could increase their Voluntary Water Intake (VWI) compared to unflavored water. The researchers also aimed to examine if the horses drank more of the flavored water than the plain water.

Methodology

• The researchers included four groups of hospitalized horses each with ten horses. All the horses were given two buckets of water. The control group of horses had two buckets of plain water, while the other three groups had one bucket of plain water and one bucket of flavored water.
• The flavored water provided to the horses was either sweet feed flavored, peppermint flavored, or apple-flavored electrolyte water.
• The investigators tracked the total amount of water drank, as well as the specific consumption of flavored water for a steady 72-hour period.

Results and Conclusion

• The results of the study revealed marginal evidence suggesting that flavored water could increase the median total water intake of these hospitalized horses. The intake was higher by factors of 1.76 for sweet feed and 1.85 for peppermint.
• The results, however, established a strong correlation indicating that horses drank significantly more sweet feed-flavored water compared to plain water. Based on their findings, the researchers suggest that using flavored water particularly sweet feed flavor, could help increase the VWI of hospitalized horses, consequently reducing the risk of colic.