Why do they pour water on horses after the race?

HORSES get very hot while racing their laps.

So after the Grand National race, horsemen pour water on the Mare or Stallion. But why do they do it and how does it aid the animal?

Times Newspapers Ltd

Horses are cooled down following their race[/caption]

Why do they pour water on horses after the race?

Horses can get very hot during a race and the water pulls some heat off.

The water needs to be cold and scraped off frequently.

Experts say a horse needs to rehydrate immediately after exercise to allow its body’s cooling mechanism to function effectively.

Some horsemen might be worried to cool down their horse to quickly, but it should be able to cool out normally, if it gets water within the first 10 to 15 minutes.

What does water do for horses?

The water helps a horse to recover from exertions after a race.

Dr Garry Potter, a professor for animal science, told Paulick Report: “Two things a racehorse is dealing with, particularly after a race, is heat — getting its body temperature to cool off — and dehydration, particularly if it’s had Lasix.

“A horse has to sweat; it’s their basic mechanism to dissipate heat.

In order to sweat, they have to have plenty of water in their system, particularly their gut, which is a reservoir for water.

So they need to drink as soon as they can to rehydrate themselves.”

Do horses like to be sprayed with water?

Horses are afraid of water if not being introduced to it in a proper way.

The noise when the water is being sprayed on their body can be scary for horses.

To get horses to like water and being sprayed on, expert recommend the Approach and Retreat Method.

This method is used when horses fear something and it is suppose to build confidence by approaching them with the object that scares them and then taking the object away when the horse stands still and relaxes.

For example start spraying the water around the horse first before slowly moving higher and to its body.

Does spraying a horse with water help?

Spraying a horse with water helps cooling it down.

To cool an overheated horse it is recommended to spray its head, back, neck, rump and legs with a steady stream of cold water.

A horseman should repeat until the horse is cool.