Preventing Dehydration in Horses
Updated November 27, 2024 | By: Dr. Lydia Gray
Horses that don’t drink well are a constant source of worry to their owners both in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. When it’s hot, horses that sweat but don’t replace the water lost in sweat by drinking can become dehydrated. This can lead to reduced performance, heat exhaustion, and other health problems. During colder months, horses may drink less because of the temperature of the water or if it is frozen.
How to tell if a horse is dehydrated
Dehydrated horses, in any weather, may have digestive issues such as impaction colic, choke, and other serious gastrointestinal problems. Signs of dehydration in horses may include sunken eyes, dry mucous membranes, or decreased urination.
Encouraging Healthy Hydration in Horses
Besides always providing easy access to clean water, three ways to encourage your horse to drink more include:
- Feed your horse electrolytes and/or salt to stimulate thirst.
- Provide warm water in the winter.
- Add water to feedstuffs such as hay, hay pellets and cubes, complete feeds, and beet pulp.
How Much Water Should Horses Drink Per Day
The average horse drinks between 5 to 20 gallons of water per day. However, when the temperature and workload increase, horses have been known to down as much as 24 gallons to replace losses!
Close observation of a horse’s drinking habits as well as their vital signs (temperature, pulse, respiration, capillary refill time) may indicate when they need to slow down, get out of the heat, or get drink more water.