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Ensuring that your horse drinks enough water during the winter months can be challenging, but ensuring adequate intake can help reduce the risk of colic. But how does water temperature affect this?
Researchers have shown that horses drink 40% more water when the water is heated (18°c). But only if that was the only source of water available. If icy water (0-3°c) is also available, they will tend to drink from the icy water. Therefore, if you are providing warmer water, it’s important that it’s the only source.
The average 500kg horse should drink 30-40 liters of water a day to avoid complications such as impactions. Of course, this may be horse-dependent (with some drinking more or less), and therefore, knowing your horse’s “normal” is important.
Tips for getting more water into your horse this winter:
- Providing soaked feeds, such as beet products, can help increase water intake while also boosting fibre provision. Horses need more forage in the winter as hay and grazing tend to reduce in quality and providing additional extras can help to boost overall nutrient intake.
- Add water to your horse’s normal feed. Play around with the amount, as some may prefer it wetter than others.
- Soak or steam your horse’s hay. Depending on the hay type and maturity, soaking can increase water content from approx. 9% to 17-21%, and steaming can increase water content from 8% to 23%.
- Adding apple juice or a small handful of molasses to the water may also help to encourage drinking. However, when changing the taste of your horse’s water, make sure he has both flavored and normal water to choose from.
- Adding salt each day helps stimulate thirst and can increase water consumption. Many owners provide free-choice salt via a salt block; however, not all horses use salt blocks well, so it’s advisable to include it in their feed. That way, you can ensure they are receiving between 2 and 4 tablespoons each day.
- Ensure that water is also fresh and clean and provided in a bucket large enough to hold sufficient water.
References: Kristula, M.A.; McDonnell, S.M. Drinking water temperature affects con-sumption of water during cold weather in ponies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 41: 155-160, 1994.
McDonnell, S.M.; Kristula, M.A. No effect of drinking water temperature on consumption of water during hot summer weather in ponies. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 49: 149-163, 1996.
