As you untack from your lengthy trail ride, which consisted of several gallops, your mare stretches longingly toward the nearby water trough. You notice she is still hot and breathing hard. Do you let her take a sip, or are you putting her health at risk?

A research group at Michigan State University has been investigating rehydration methods of equine athletes. Hal Schott II, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Assistant Professor of Equine Medicine at the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine, is a principal investigator in the studies.

“The focus has been to look at a strategy to improve the horse’s ability to rehydrate after work, and a way to stimulate drinking during breaks in competition,” he said.

According to Schott, there is a myth that has been passed on from generation to generation of horsemen probably since the 1600s. The myth claims that if you give hot horses water, ailments will appear as a result. He assures that he has found there is no evidence of colic or founder after giving water to hot horses