Horse Water

HORSE WATER

Always encourage your horse to drink before feeding rather than vice-versa. Water is digested more easily than food at the upper end of the horse's gut and if food is still lodged there, digestive problems can arise.

To stop your horse kicking his water bucket over, put it in the middle of an old car tyre.

When your horse returns thirsty after hard exercise or work, do not let him just drink lots of water but pace his intake, for example by giving him about half a gallon of water every 15 minutes or so until he is comfortable again.

Change your horse's water regularly, especially if it inside the stable. Amongst other things, it absorbs ammonia from the atmosphere and may turn your horse off the idea of drinking water while in his stable if not changed.

If your horse is refusing to drink, he may still be nibbling at food, so give him a well-soaked hay net to prevent him dehydrating. This is also a good idea if he is travelling, for example to a show.