Australia is known for long, hot summers so it’s important horses have access to plenty of water at all times.
Even in mild weather, horses need around 3-6 litres of water per 100kg of bodyweight, or roughly 20-70 litres per horse per day. This varies if the weather is hot, how hard the horse is worked and what kind of diet he’s on. Broodmares who are expecting or have a foal at foot will also need unlimited access to water.
How do I know if my horse is drinking enough?
Horses lose fluids through urine and droppings and if being exercised, sweat as well. A dehydrated horse will show signs of an increased heart rate, less frequent urination (or even not at all), pale gums, weakness and may even collapse.
To check your horse’s hydration, pinch the skin on his neck between your thumb and forefinger…if it snaps back into place within two seconds then your horse is okay. If the skin remains raised, then he is dehydrated and the longer it stays up the more dehydrated he is. If your horse is dehydrated but doesn’t, or won’t, drink then he’ll need to be seen by a vet urgently to be given intravenous fluids.
Horses drink less during winter, especially if the water is cold and if you think your horse isn’t drinking as much as he should, warm the water up. It’s not usually too much of a problem in Australia, but still something to keep in mind, especially as reduced fluid intake can lead to colic. Some countries with long, cold winters use water heaters to warm the water and encourage their horses to keep drinking.
If you can’t warm your horse’s water supply, then make frequent trips to his paddock with buckets of warm water.
One research project found when offered near freezing water or warm water, ponies drank an amazing 40% more of the warm water.
If your horse isn’t drinking enough and is on an all-hay diet or one high in fibre, then he could get colic.
When competing away from home, bring enough water with you for your horse to drink in case he rejects water from a different source. Or you can flavour the water with apple juice, or you could also try swishing some peppermints in it or dunking a peppermint tea bag. It’s also been found that horses will often drink more when the bucket is held up to them.
Water during and after exercise
It was once thought that allowing a horse unlimited access to water after exercise would cause colic or even founder (remember
Black Beauty?) but research has shown it’s okay to allow horses to drink provided he’s not super-hot nor the water freezing cold. Tap or warm water is okay, let your horse drink his fill and return when he wants a top-up. Horses will drink more if given salt water, at a concentration of 0.9% in water that’s around 20 degrees celsius.
If going for a long ride, have a couple of short breaks and allow your horse a drink whenever you get a chance, to avoid dehydration.
What container?
Automatic waterers are great as you know they will provide a constant supply of water, but it can be tricky to monitor how much your horse is drinking. They will also need daily checking to make sure they are working okay.
If using buckets, make them big, deep ones and preferably use two (or more if there’s more than one horse sharing the paddock) so you know your horse has plenty of water. Buy new rubbish bins from a hardware store, and remove any wire handles which your horse could get caught up on if he wears a headstall. Secure the buckets so your horse can’t tip them over, something they seem to relish when boredom strikes!
Old bathtubs make good drinking containers, especially as they have a plug in the bottom which means you can drain it easily for cleaning. These will also need to be secured, ideally in a frame that covers any sharp edges.
Water containers should be positioned away from trees and overhanging branches where they could become contaminated by leaves, twigs and bird, possum or even flying fox droppings.
If out in the open, you can cut down the amount of evaporation and UV exposure by fastening a piece of wood over half the exposed surface which will in turn help reduce algae.
Natural water supplies
Many horse properties have dams, which horses will drink from quite happily providing it’s not polluted. If in doubt, test the water quality–kits are available online and through stock and feed outlets. You can also consult the Department in Primary Industry in your area for advice. Also check there’s no debris on the bottom as many horses love to splash and swim in dams during summer.
Avoid dams if the water is dark, has a foul smell and scum around the edges. This can happen after a bushfire has gone through the area causing ash and soil to get blown into the water; and also after a flood, which can force dirt and silt into the water.
If you suspect a dam or other source of water could be contaminated, restrict access by fencing the area off or removing the horses from the paddock.
Bore water is another source–quality varies between areas but most horses don’t mind drinking it provided it’s not too salty or full of minerals. If in doubt, contact your local council and have the water tested. Ask other horse-owners in the area if it’s okay for your horse to drink, or see what watering methods they recommend for the area.
Keep it clean
As horses prefer to go thirsty rather than drink contaminated water, your horse’s water container should be as clean as you can possibly make it. Regularly scrub your containers free of slime and remove debris such as leaves and twigs, an old kitchen sieve is handy for this, or you can also buy a small fishing net. Avoid using any type of cleaning product which might leave a toxic residue. Some horse-owners swear by using apple cider vinegar to scrub the trough, and adding a splash to the water after it’s been refilled.
As horses prefer to go thirsty rather than drink contaminated water, your horse’s water container should be as clean as you can possibly make it.
Slime can be easily blasted off using a high-pressure water cleaner, this is especially effective on concrete troughs.
Any small animals such as rats and mice that fall in the water and can’t get out will quickly drown, contaminating it. To avoid this, place a piece of wood into the water and rest it on the rim, so small animals will be able to climb out again, but make sure it's not treated pine or wood that has any toxic substances on it.
For larger containers, you can buy products from stock feed outlets that will break down any organic slime yet leave the water safe for horses and other stock to drink.
Mosquito larvae can be a problem in water containers and the best way to avoid them is to tip the water out and re-fill it if not daily, then every couple of days as the larvae take around seven days to hatch.
Drinking too much?
Certain health problems can cause your horse to drink too much. A horse with diarrhoea will lose an incredible amount of water through droppings and if it doesn’t resolve, will need to be seen by a vet to find the cause.
Increased thirst can also be a symptom of Cushings disease…other indications include increased urination, laminitis, long, curly coat and increased appetite with no weight gain.