[guess who]

ok, as in explained in a thread a couple hours earlier, one of our ponies has AHS. for those who don't know, its a highly infectious disease that affects either the lungs, heart, or both and has an extremely high mortality rate. We found it very early and the pony is on anti inflammatories and having vitamin D injections, but the next couple of days really are absolutely crucial to determine whether he survives or not. If we can get him to eat and drink, he has a much better chance.

What can i do to make him eat???!! i want to put mint in his food, or carrots.or both..i know horses like them, so it should help. what about water? will mint leaves in his water help that too??? this is really really important

[StarfireArizona]

One thing that I have read many times to entice horses to drink is to add apple juice to the water.

Sure hope he is ok.....hate to hear when a horse is sick

[luttrellfarms]

Vit. B boosters help or maybe start giving B-12.
Good luck with your horse. I know that these types things are a very big problem.

[guess who]

we've already been giving him vitamin B injections..he's had 2 in 2 days..and all kinds of things..but he ate something today..it took a while but he got it. he just cane be bothered to actually go and get food himself or anything..
thanks all..i hope he'll be ok too.i'll keep you updated.the vet is coming out again tomorrow

[JBandRio]

Talk to your vet about the possibility of having ulcers due to the stress of his illness.

if he likes peppermint, you could crush a few peppermints to mix in with his meal.

If he's not metabolic, then a little black strap molasses or honey might be to his liking.

[buck1173]

there is a product called horsequencher that worked as good as they say it does for me: http://www.horsequencher.com/

When I moved my horses in December, they wanted no part of their new water, and especially their auto waterers (which they'd never seen before).

I bought 2 pails of this stuff, mixed it only 1/4 strength as it seems rather sugary and my horses are both IR.... I did it with tepid water and it worked like a charm.... I was able to 'make sure' my horses got at least 5 gal water a day in them, they slurped up every drop and licked the bucket.

They got into the habit of having tasty water... so I phased the product out (was kinda expensive for what it is) and ended up smashing an apple with the heel of my boot (with clean plastic of course) into the bottom of the bucket and filling with tepid water... it made an apple-y sludge on top of the water and they loved it.

I wish you the best of luck.

[gini]

best thing that worked for my horse is a 'fruit salad' of carrots and apples in slices, then pour a bit of molasses over the top and mix it all. minty chaff on top...and once he starts eating that you can add a bit of his 'normal' food.

good luck! hope he gets well soon...