Academy / Horse / Feeding / The horse's water requirements

Water

The horse is a large animal that requires a lot of water to function and stay healthy. To meet its maintenance needs, the horse drinks about 5 liters of water per 100 kg of body weight per day. During physical exertion and in warm weather conditions, the horse loses large amounts of fluids through sweating, which increases its water requirement to about 15 liters per 100 kg of body weight per day. For a horse weighing 500 kg, this means a daily water intake of 75 liters!

Why is it important for the horse to drink enough?

It is important for the horse to drink enough water to ensure that all body functions work properly. With insufficient water intake, the risk of conditions such as constipation colic increases. The horse can also become tired, lethargic, and underperform in training and competitions.

A horse drinks best from a water bucket

What should be considered is that horses drink best from a water bucket, and most horses prefer a water bucket over, for example, a water trough. If you choose to use a water trough, it is important that the trough has the correct pressure; a good guideline is 8 liters per minute.

In addition to horses drinking better from a bucket, it also allows you to monitor how much the horse is drinking. If the horse suddenly starts drinking less, it could be a sign that the horse is not feeling well.

Tips to get the horse to drink more:

Flavor the water

Mash or apple pieces are appreciated by many horses

Lukewarm water

Some horses prefer heated water, especially during the winter

Change the bucket

Horses prefer to drink from light-colored buckets

Hur mycket vatten ska en häst dricka? | Trikem Academy

How can I get my horse to drink enough?

There can be many underlying causes for a horse drinking poorly. One reason is that some horses have a less effective thirst mechanism, meaning the signal "I am thirsty" is not as clear as it is in other horses.

It can also be due to psychological reasons; the horse might be in an unfamiliar place (e.g., a competition) where it doesn't feel comfortable drinking. If several horses in the stable aren't drinking enough, the water might be the culprit. It could taste different, or if you're using water from your own well, it might be a good idea to check the water quality.