There are six essential nutrients in a horse’s diet: carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Among these, water is paramount. It plays a critical role in a horse's digestive health and overall ability. A high-fiber diet, rich in hay, grains, and grass, requires ample water to help the fiber move through the digestive tract.
While a horse can survive nearly a month without food, it can begin to show signs of colic and other serious health issues within just 48 hours without water. In fact, a horse can only survive about five days without hydration.
Dehydration is a significant concern, especially if a horse is left unattended for even a day. During hot summer months, horses are particularly susceptible to dehydration as they sweat to regulate their body temperature. Sweat contains not only water but also electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are vital for a horse's health. Due to their large size, horses are at risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion, making it essential to ensure they remain hydrated at all times.
Here are some guidelines, best practices, and tips for keeping your horse hydrated during the scorching summer:
Important Facts to Keep In Mind
Physically regulating temperature (thermoregulation) is one of the most important reasons horses need ample water. As a unique group of mammals, horses sweat when it’s hot, which cools them down but also requires significant amounts of water due to their size. While we all recognize the importance of hydration, it’s easy to overlook it amid the daily demands of farm maintenance. Hydration is arguably the most critical factor in equine health and wellness, yet it’s often neglected.
Here are some key facts about horses and hydration to keep in mind during the hot summer
months:
- Water Temperature: Horses tend to drink less water if it’s warm.
- Limited Access Risks: Horses with restricted access to water are at a higher risk for impaction colic, kidney failure, and other dehydration-related issues.
- Fresh Water: Providing fresh, clean, and cool water at all times is the best way to encourage optimal water consumption.
- Algae Growth: Algae can create foul-tasting water, which may reduce consumption.
- Diet Impact: When eating dry hay and grains, horses will consume more water compared to when grazing on green pasture.
- Cleanliness Matters: Keeping water clean is essential to prevent complications from disease-causing parasites like Leptospirosis bacteria and pinworms.
- Humidity Effects: When humidity exceeds 75%, sweating becomes less effective for cooling. High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, diminishing its cooling effect.
How Much Water Does a Horse Need?
The amount of water a horse drinks daily depends on several factors. On average, a 1,000-pound horse drinks about 10 gallons of water per day. However, this requirement can double under extreme conditions. In hot and humid weather, especially after exercise, horses may drink
significantly more—sometimes up to twice their normal intake.
Horses can sweat as much as three gallons per hour, making hydration a serious health concern during the summer months. Ensuring they drink enough water is crucial for maintaining their health, and it’s also important to know when to reduce their level of activity. Dehydration can occur in as little as two hours, depending on temperature and workload.
Owners should watch for signs of dehydration, which include:
- Sunken eyes
- Dullness
- Dry skin and mouth
- Drawn-up flanks
- Depression or excessive thick saliva
Being aware of these signs can help ensure your horse stays healthy and well-hydrated during
hot weather.
Always Have Water Available
Having water available at all times is crucial for your horse’s health. If your horse has access to a large turnout area or pasture in addition to a stall, ensure that water is readily available in all locations.
To keep water as cool as possible, store it in shaded areas. If water is left in the sun, it should be replaced multiple times a day. Additionally, to prevent competition among horses for drinking water, provide more than one source in each area they access.
Offer Water in a Bucket or Tub
If your horse uses an automatic waterer, it’s beneficial to keep a tub of clean water in their stall as an alternative drinking source. Many automatic waterers have shallow bowls that can heat up quickly on hot days. Larger tubs allow the water to stay cooler for longer, making it more appealing for your horse to drink.
On hot days, cool water is far more enticing than warm water, encouraging greater hydration. Additionally, freezing blocks of ice and placing them in a water trough can help keep the water cooler than it would be otherwise.
Use Electrolytes
Salt loss occurs with sweating, and severe sweating can lead to significant electrolyte loss. If left unchecked, this can result in muscle cramping, fatigue, colic, and other health issues. When exercising your horse in the heat, consider using an electrolyte supplement to counteract the inevitable salt loss from heavy sweating.
If you plan to ride, it’s a good idea to have electrolytes on hand. Electrolytes play a crucial role in nerve conduction, muscle contraction, and regulating chemical reactions. They also affect muscle function, energy levels, heart activity, blood pressure, and pH balance.
Add Water to Almost Everything
For any horse, especially those that are picky about their drinking water, consider adding extra water to their food. There are various ways to do this, and you can keep it as simple or complex as you like.
Here are some ideas:
- Hay: Soak hay or pellets briefly before feeding. Both will readily absorb water, and most horses won’t even notice the difference.
- Grain: Many working horses receive grain supplements to boost their calorie intake. Instead of simply pouring grain into a bucket, try adding enough water to create a sloshy mixture. This is an easy way to increase their water intake.
- Treats: Incorporate high-water-content treats like watermelon, bran mashes, or beet pulp. You can experiment with the amount of water you add, and most horses will eagerly slurp them up.
Shade
Using shade can help keep water cool during the summer. Positioning buckets or troughs in shaded areas, whether near buildings, under overhangs, or beside trees, can significantly reduce water temperature, encouraging your horse to drink more.
Keep Salt Available
In hot weather, it's extremely important for your horse to replace the salt lost through sweating.
This can be easily achieved by providing a salt block at all times. Most feed stores offer three
types of salt blocks: plain white salt, mineral salt, and iodized salt. Himalayan salt is also
available.
So, which one should you choose?
If you can only select one, the plain white salt block is likely your best option. It's usually the
most affordable, and most horses will lick it as needed. The key is to ensure your horse has free
access to salt, even if you supplement their diet with additional salt or electrolytes.
Know the Warning Signs of Dehydration
Signs of Dehydration
There are several signs that indicate dehydration in your horse, including:
- Decreased Skin Elasticity: When you pinch your horse’s skin, it should return to its normal position in under two seconds. If it takes longer, your horse may be dehydrated.
- Changes in Gum Color or Feel: Healthy gums should be bubblegum pink and moist. Any changes can signal dehydration.
- Sunken Eyes: Sunken eyes are a sign of severe dehydration.
- Decreased Appetite: A dehydrated horse may show little or no interest in food, and its flank may appear tucked up.
- Dry Feces: The moisture level in feces can indicate hydration status. Conversely, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, even if the horse is drinking normally.
- Lethargy or Depression: If a typically energetic horse begins to act lethargic or depressed, it may be a sign of dehydration.
- Dry Skin and Eyes: Both dry skin and eyes are indications of dehydration.
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