December/January 2000

This article has been reprinted with the permission of Horse-Canada.com

Winter Water

by Marj Piazza

Most horse owners are very careful about seeing that their horses have an adequate water supply during hot weather. However, these same owners are sometimes careless during winter weather. Perhaps they feel the horse does not require much liquid during the cold winter months. The truth is, horses can be thirstier in cold weather than in hot weather.

Regardless of season or weather conditions, horses should have an adequate daily water supply. The average adult horse weighing approximately 1,000 pounds requires a minimum of 10 to 12 gallons of water a day. Since a horse has a stomach capacity of only 5 to 6 gallons, if he is watered by (5-gallon) bucket, one watering a day is not nearly enough. Even two waterings a day could provide only the barest minimum of the total water requirements each day.

Horses stay much healthier with free access to clean water, but if they must be watered by a bucket, then keep it securely and safely anchored in their stall or paddock, and fill three times a day. Watering by bucket in very cold weather can be a problem, as the water may freeze quickly, leaving the horse thirsty for the rest of the day.

Most experts agree that the best water temperature for horses is from 45 to 65 degrees. If the water temperature is much lower than 45 degrees, some horses will not find it appealing and drink much less as a result. If you think your horse is not drinking enough, try warming the water slightly to encourage him to drink more.

During the winter, some horses will occasionally eat small amounts of snow. Some owners mistakenly believe that this is a good substitute for fresh water. Snow should never, ever be relied upon to replace regular watering. A horse would have to eat approximately 10 buckets of snow to equal one bucket of water, plus it can lower his body temperature!

Water is an extremely important nutrient for the horse, as it is needed for almost every bodily function. Water helps maintain good appetite. It governs the correct moisture level in the manure, aids in the normal function of sweat glands and maintains the blood volume of the horse.

Water is lost from the horse's body every day through urine and feces. Moisture is also exhaled from the lungs during breathing. Significant water is also lost through sweat. Horses sweat to some degree even when not working hard. Nervous horses, especially, can lose a lot of moisture just from "fussing".

There are two common problems that result from drinking too little water. The first is appetite loss. Even if high quality food - the diet the horse is accustomed to - is offered, he will cut back on the amount of food eaten. The main reason he is refusing to eat is the lack of saliva to mix with his food. The adult horse secretes many gallons of saliva each day to help soften the food mass as he chews. A lack of saliva leaves the horse not interested in his food.

The second concern is the very serious complication of constipation or colic. The correct moisture levels must be maintained in the intestines or a blockage can occur.

Owners usually think of dehydration being only a hot-weather fear, but dehydration can occur in winter weather as well. Regardless of the time of the year, as little as three to four percent loss of total body water, without replacement, can cause mild dehydration in the horse.

Do be aware that the horse must have access to clean, unfrozen water, even in the coldest weather, to remain healthy and happy.