As we draw closer to the winter season, it becomes essential to consider the increasing forage intake for your horse, particularly if this adjustment hasn't been made yet. During this period, ensuring that your horse has a sufficient supply of fresh water is of utmost importance. Here are several key factors to consider regarding this necessity
Key facts -
Horses typically drink 5-15 gallons (20-55 litres) of water per day, though this varies.
Yes, horses drink more when eating more hay because hay is dry and has low moisture content, requiring the horse to drink more water to properly digest the fibre.
Horses that eat lush pasture, which is high in water, drink significantly less water from their troughs. For every 1000-pound horse, it can be estimated they need to drink 9-10 gallons of water per day, or about 2 quarts per pound of dry matter consumed.
Why horses drink more on hay
Low moisture content: Hay is only about 15% water, whereas fresh grass can be 80% water. To make up for the lack of moisture, a horse must drink more water when eating hay.
Fibre digestion: Dry feeds like hay require extra water for the digestive tract to process the fiber.
Nutritional needs: Hay requires more water to move through the digestive tract smoothly, which is why it's so crucial for horses eating a lot of hay to stay well-hydrated.
Winter feeding: When horses switch to a winter diet that includes more hay, their water intake increases because of the higher fibre content.
Could this be a reason why your horse likes to dunk his hay in his water bucket
Risks of dehydration
Not drinking enough water can cause the horse's digestive tract to dry out and slow down, potentially leading to blockages or colic.
Digestion & Health: Water is crucial for digestion and preventing gastrointestinal problems like colic
If a horse isn't properly hydrated, this can lead to a lack of saliva, making the feed too dry and potentially causing choke.
Why increased intake is necessary
Digestion: The additional water is crucial for the effective digestion of the increased fibre from the dry hay.
Saliva production: Chewing hay activates the saliva production needed to buffer stomach acid.
Overall hydration: To maintain good health and prevent issues like impaction colic, horses on a dry hay diet must significantly increase their water consumption to meet their hydration requirements.
An excellent method to motivate your horse to drink more frequently is by incorporating a selection of herbs into their water bucket or by using different types of buckets for variety. It's advisable to begin with a small amount of herbs and gradually increase the quantity until your horse shows a preference.
Ensure that you clean and replenish the water every three days for optimal freshness. Additionally, you might consider adding a few whole apples for extra appeal. Remember to also provide plain water as an option. Both powdered and dried herbs are perfectly suitable for this purpose.
