Thursday, July 01, 2021

Algae in Horse Water Troughs: Is It Safe?

TheHorse.com - Full Article

Our nutrition expert offers tips for keeping algal blooms to a minimum in your horse’s water trough this summer.

Posted by Clair Thunes, PhD | Jun 5, 2017

Q: For most of the year my horses live out full time on pasture. In the summer their water trough grows a lot of algae. Is it okay for them to drink from the trough when it has algae, and what can I do to stop it growing? A:Algae in troughs is a common problem once temperatures start to rise. To grow, algae need water, sunlight, and a nutrient source. Nutrients can come from organic material that has blown into the trough, manure, or even your horse’s saliva.

While most algae don’t pose a direct health concern, certain types of blue-green algae release toxins that can lead to colic and diarrhea. Additionally, a lot of algae might make the water less desirable to your horse and lead to reduced water intake. Keeping algal blooms to a minimum in your troughs is therefore a smart idea. Here are some solutions...

Read more here:
https://thehorse.com/110425/algae-in-horse-water-troughs-is-it-safe/?utm_medium=Reader+Favorites+enews&utm_source=Newsletter

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