Winter watering

Maintaining a horse's water intake is crucial, but can be tricky in the colder months. Karen Coumbe MRCVS explains why, and how to help

- Karen Coumbe MRCVS

MUCH effort is spent ensuring a horse is fed the best, but far less consideration is given to what they drink. Occasionally, competition horses are travelled with familiar water from home, have apple juice added or are even given bottled water, but most horses simply receive buckets of water from the nearest tap.

Problems can arise in the worst of winter weather when freezing temperatures can reduce water intake. This can upset the balance of a horse's bodily functions.

Like every other mammal, a horse's body requires plenty of fluids to function properly. An average-size, thoroughbred horse needs to drink 20 or more litres (that is two or three large two-gallon buckets) per day to remain healthy.

In addition to drinking water, liquid intake may come from fluids in damp feed, soaked hay or wet grass. A salt lick may encourage a horse to drink more.

With insufficient water intake, problems can develop in the same way that people can suffer dehydration, where even a small reduction in water intake may be detrimental.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG?

A NUMBER of problems can occur if a horse's water intake is reduced.

What goes in, must come out! Any significant reduction in the number of droppings a horse passes should be treated with suspicion. Never just think, "Phew, there is less to muck out," instead, take note and ask why.

In winter, a horse will often drink less but eat more high-fibre feeds, either thanks to extra hay when they are standing in more or because they eat their straw bedding. The result may be a large bowel impaction, which is a common reason for consulting the vet at this time of year.

Large colon impaction is the second most common reported cause of colic in horses, after routine gassy or spasmodic colic, representing nearly 14% of colics seen at referral centres.