Peeing when ridden

[binky]

When I got back from my hack on Saturday my horse immediately had 3 very long wees on the yard, as soon as I got off. I know he won't pee when I'm sitting on him so just assumed he was desperate.

But yesterday he did it again. We'd been out for about 40 minutes, just walking when he obviously needed to go so I got off and he went. He was much happier after that, but when we got back to the yard, he went twice more immediately.

The urine was normal colour, (and smell!) and he seems well in himself - eating, active and running about around in the field.

I wouldn't say he's drinking excessively. There is still about half the tub of water left in his stable in the mornings, which means he's drunk very slightly more than he did through the week, but not much, and not as much as he drinks when stabled in the summer.

He has got through quite alot of his salt lick, and I wondered if this could be a contributing factor?

[Cloverwood1]

How wet is his bed? And does he just wee on concrete?

Most horses will only urinate on concrete when the absolutely have no choice - most will choose to go in the field or on soft ground.

[Yann]

Could it be the colder air on his kidneys making him want to go more? My mare has weed on hacks and on the yard recently, normally it's only something that happens in the field out of sight:)

[Big Ears]

My mare always wees when out hacking, one or two times depending on how long we are out. She will do it with you in the saddle.

However, she does drink a lot of water compared to the other horse who never weeed when out. She will drink a couple of buckets in one go. As a result her urine is very light and clear - she has always done it.

Could have perhaps have a little infection or cystitis type thing? I did ride a gelding once who from time to time would have a bought of peeing constantly when riddne, but again his owner said he had alwys done it, though it was a bit frightening at first.

Can't advise I;m afraid, guess just keep an eye on it.

[binky]

Originally posted by Cloverwood1
How wet is his bed? And does he just wee on concrete?

Most horses will only urinate on concrete when the absolutely have no choice - most will choose to go in the field or on soft ground.

He's quite mucky in the stable, always has been, but I haven't noticed it getting any worse. I take between 1-2 barrows out each day and it hasn't been getting worse.

When I got off him while I was out he did groan a bit while he peed, and farted (delightful sight), and it just made me wonder if something was wrong.

Oh, and yes, when he's weed on the yard its been straight onto concrete.

[Cloverwood1]

You take out 1-2 barrowloads a day!!:eek:

Is he drinking more than usual in the stable? Obviously you don't know what he's drinking in the field. This does seem a bit unusual!

[binky]

Not really, each horse produces about 1 barrowload of poo in 24 hours when turned out. If you then allow for the fact he walks alot of it into his bed, and I take up the whole bed each day and remove the wet straw and muck, I don't think over a barrowload for a 16.2hh horse that's been in for 12 hours is unusual.

Seems to be about the norm from my experience, although I guess it depends on the size of the barrow and how high you pile it!

[Big Ears]

I take out one barrowload a day for two horses and three donkeys - what they do overnight, plus the two horses during the day - however they are not on bedding just rubber mats so it is just manure. Mind you, I pick it up and put it in laundry baskets, so for the five of them we have six full baskets which is probably more than a barrow load.

I got the mats as one of the horses box walks and is untidy - had to virtually remove all the bed each day, then she got copd so decided on the mats.

[artemis]

I would get a sample of his pee & get it tested. If you know anone who is nursing they might be able to do a basic test for you, before you ask the vet!:D