Water in the ears

dappled_rider · 02-19-08, 04:35 PM

The thread on swimming horses made me wonder - I remember hearing as a child that if a donkey got water in his ears, he would die. Do you know if this is true of horses? I tried googling, but I couldn't find anything on it, so maybe it's not true.

HairyHorse · 02-20-08, 09:38 PM

I have never heard of this and it sounds a little absurd to me. I can see it causing some irritation, and even an infection if the horse doesn't clear it in time. But not death.

equinolo · 02-21-08, 11:15 AM

All mammals don't fare well with water in their ears as it upsets the balance. Cotton balls in the ear or rags, etc can be used like when you give your dog a bath, but the placement can be hard and they could fall out or get too far in the ear. A little bit of diluted alcohol or acetic acid can help dry out ears after swimming.

alexis · 02-24-08, 10:01 PM

Makes you think that if you had water in your ears, you wouldn't want it there either right. Never heard the myth though so someone please correct us if we are all wrong here.

HairyHorse · 02-24-08, 10:27 PM

Well, I've Googled and find nothing to suggest that there is any truth in this. Water will dry out of ears, and if there was a real danger to this then the ear would be built differently. I can't see an animal having something that would kill them so easily.

02-19-08, 04:35 PM	Water in the ears Post #1 (permalink)
dappled_rider Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Posts: 26	Water in the ears The thread on swimming horses made me wonder - I remember hearing as a child that if a donkey got water in his ears, he would die. Do you know if this is true of horses? I tried googling, but I couldn't find anything on it, so maybe it's not true.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar threads to Water in the ears
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Horses and Water Horses and Water: I was just wondering, do horses actually like...	katie	Equine Basics	5	07-30-08 07:25 PM
Water Water: So small children are supposed to have fluoride...	purplefdu	Grooming and Health	5	06-16-08 02:10 PM
OT - water heaters OT - water heaters: our water heater in our house keeps going out and...	flatback_frannie	General Discussion	3	03-15-08 09:46 PM
Water or no water Water or no water: I have traveled across the U.S. with horses for...	QuarterHorses	On the road	7	01-15-08 07:23 PM
Water Trough in the Field? Water Trough in the Field?: The water trough we have in the field at the barn...	purpleparrit	Essential Equipment	0	11-27-07 08:29 AM

More threads of dappled_rider
Thread	Date	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Child riders Child riders: When is a good age to begin lessons? I've only...	02-13-08	The Beginning Rider	9	04-03-08 11:34 PM
Horse walk/speed terminology Horse walk/speed terminology: I didn't know exactly what to call this. Can...	02-14-08	Equine Basics	1	02-28-08 04:57 PM
Pulling the mane Pulling the mane: I was watching my neighbor do this on her horses...	02-24-08	Grooming and Health	1	02-24-08 11:18 PM
Water in the ears Water in the ears: The thread on swimming horses made me wonder - I...	02-19-08	Grooming and Health	4	02-24-08 10:27 PM
Is anyone else afraid to go fast? Is anyone else afraid to go fast?: I'm a fairly new rider, I took lessons over the...	02-01-08	The Beginning Rider	11	02-13-08 10:50 AM

Other threads in forum Grooming and Health
Thread	Date	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Horses that only eat hay Horses that only eat hay: Do you feed your horses anything else other than...	08-18-08	Cadri4n	3	08-19-08 06:50 PM
Do you have to wash a horse in the winter? Do you have to wash a horse in the winter?: If it's dirty can you just wipe it down, or...	12-12-07	sallyanna	0	12-12-07 08:08 AM
Clipping Your Horse for Winter Clipping Your Horse for Winter: As fall approaches some horses might start to...	10-29-07	pumpkinflirt	6	11-07-07 08:59 AM
Teeth Care Teeth Care: I have always wondered this, is there anything...	10-09-07	Bucker	5	10-13-07 01:02 PM

02-20-08, 09:38 PM	Water in the ears Post #2 (permalink)
HairyHorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 50	I have never heard of this and it sounds a little absurd to me. I can see it causing some irritation, and even an infection if the horse doesn't clear it in time. But not death.

02-21-08, 11:15 AM	Water in the ears Post #3 (permalink)
equinolo Member Join Date: 02-01-08 Posts: 25	All mammals don't fare well with water in their ears as it upsets the balance. Cotton balls in the ear or rags, etc can be used like when you give your dog a bath, but the placement can be hard and they could fall out or get too far in the ear. A little bit of diluted alcohol or acetic acid can help dry out ears after swimming.

02-24-08, 10:01 PM	Water in the ears Post #4 (permalink)
alexis Member Join Date: 08-10-07 Posts: 329 Images: 2	Makes you think that if you had water in your ears, you wouldn't want it there either right. Never heard the myth though so someone please correct us if we are all wrong here.

02-24-08, 10:27 PM	Water in the ears Post #5 (permalink)
HairyHorse Member Join Date: 02-02-08 Posts: 50	Well, I've Googled and find nothing to suggest that there is any truth in this. Water will dry out of ears, and if there was a real danger to this then the ear would be built differently. I can't see an animal having something that would kill them so easily.

Water in the ears

Advice on grooming and general health care for horses

Water in the ears