Horses consist of a good two-thirds of their body mass made up of water. When exposed to heat and stress, they can sweat out 30 to 40 liters of fluid. So it’s no wonder that the water they use to fill their reserves should be of good quality. You can find out exactly what you should pay attention to here.
At rest, an average horse needs around five liters of water per 100 kilograms of body weight per day . This requirement increases even with light work; a nursing mare even needs twice as much. When feeding, horses partially satisfy their fluid needs through the residual moisture in their feed and, in summer, through lush pasture grass. But they get most of their food from their water.
Animals need water for countless bodily functions – from operating their organs to regulating their body temperature. When it gets hot in summer, horses cool themselves with their sweat. In addition, horses also absorb important salts and minerals , the so-called electrolytes, partly through the water they drink.
It is therefore important that there is no water shortage. If five percent of the water requirement is missing, mild dehydration occurs. At ten percent it can become life-threatening and the first symptoms of failure appear. It is therefore important that a horse always has something to drink. On the one hand, it must be ensured that the drinking trough is easily accessible and ready for use . On the other hand, the horse must also take advantage of the opportunity to drink. If it doesn’t, it could be due to poor water quality.
The right water quality for horses
Basically, a horse has different water sources available: rainwater, well water, tap water, a stream or standing water. These all differ in their composition, i.e. the concentration of minerals, but also in their content of harmful substances and organisms.
In 2019, the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) published guidelines on the hygienic quality of drinking water, which properties water may have for farm animals. Basically, three criteria are required there:
- Palatability : The taste of the water must be such that sufficient water intake occurs voluntarily.
- Tolerability : The individual ingredients may only be present in concentrations that are not harmful to health.
- Usability : The water must not cause any damage to the drinking system or building.
In addition, specific guidelines and limit values are listed for the individual elements contained, up to which the water is considered suitable.
Anyone who does not use tap water for drinking should therefore routinely have a drinking water analysis carried out in a laboratory once a year. This examination is also recommended if contamination is suspected, as the water parameters can change quickly.
Bacteria, germs and algae in the water harm the horse
Different conditions can cause different contaminants in the water. Some of the most common ones are included in the following list:
- Bacteria: Coli bacteria can easily be detected in water when taking samples. Since they arise in the intestines, they indicate that there is fecal contamination. This also increases the likelihood that salmonella may also be present in the water.
- Algae: Algae arise primarily in nutrient-rich water that is contaminated with feces or leftover food. Ponds in particular are therefore often not a suitable source of drinking water. Although some algae are harmless to horses, they increase the number of bacteria in the water. Blue-green algae, on the other hand, is one of them Poisonous plants for horses.
- Suspended solids: Suspended solids include all the things that make the water appear cloudy and dirty. Dust, hair and pollen are not harmful in themselves, but they provide a basis for pathogens to multiply quickly.
- Yeast fungi: Yeast fungi are usually visually noticeable through bubbles in the water. They arise from leftover food and cause an unpleasant smell. The water is spoiled and should be avoided or replaced.
- Carcasses: Bird or mouse carcasses spread fecal germs and corpse poison in the water, which means they must be disposed of immediately.
- Iron: A relatively new discovery is how harmful iron can be in too high a proportion. The so-called hemosiderosis, i.e. the excessive accumulation of iron in the tissue, is often associated with serious liver diseases.
- Heavy metals: Lead, copper and zinc sometimes settle out of old pipes and get into the water. Poisoning is possible, but very rare.
Ponds should generally be avoided as a source of drinking water due to the high probability of germ infestation. Pipes that are supposed to be kept germ-free with chlorine are spurned by horses with sensitive noses if the chlorine content is too high.
Finally, temperature is also an important factor that should not be ignored. Warm water accelerates the growth of bacteria and algae enormously. A water barrel should therefore never be used on a summer pasture for more than two days. A clean and shady watering cart can be used for up to six days.
Well and rain water for horses
Some horse owners use a well to get water for their animals. A close look at the water values should become routine. Many bacteria often collect in these water reservoirs and ingredients such as iron, manganese or nitrate are also present in higher levels than is good for horses. As a result, the animals can become susceptible to illness, and fertility and general performance can also suffer. Additionally, because many horses are very picky drinkers, they may avoid poor quality water and drink too little.
Unfortunately, rainwater is also not an alternative to tap water. In contrast to water, which has worked its way through rock layers for years, rainwater hardly contains any important minerals. When horses drink the water, their thirst is quenched, but the missing electrolytes are compensated for by the rest of the organism. After a while, deficiency symptoms may occur. In addition, the rainwater may contain dirt, such as bird droppings or heavy metal particles, and can therefore put a strain on the horse’s detoxification organs. If rainwater is still used, it should be stored in cool, dark tanks. The water quality should be checked regularly.
Choose the right potion
In addition to the quality of the water, the drink itself also influences whether an animal consumes enough fluids. In principle, when kept in groups, there should be enough drinking troughs so that even lower-ranking animals have the opportunity to drink. A potion should also fulfill several properties:
- Sufficient amounts of water must be able to flow.
- The drinking bowl must be large and deep enough so that the mouth can be submerged for a few centimeters.
- The material should be non-toxic and tasteless .
- The height of the water level may not exceed the formula “0.4 x height at withers” .
- Even in winter the water must not freeze .
- It should be easy to clean .
If you want to water your horse on the go , for example when traveling in a trailer, you should pay particular attention to neutral taste . Horses quickly notice when a bucket is made of plastic and when it is hot, softeners are distributed in the water. Plastic bottles and garden hoses can also cause horses to refuse water offered to them .
Good water, good horse
Many people pay attention to high-quality feed when feeding their horse, but take water intake for granted. It should now be clear why water quality plays an important role for a horse and why a water analysis is worthwhile every now and then. Unfortunately, harmful ingredients or incipient germ infestation are often not visible to the naked eye. If a horse should become ill because it has consumed harmful substances, then there is one Horse health insurance helpful. This means that horse owners are not suddenly confronted with the costs of a long treatment. DetailedLists of what horses can eat, we have here for you in the magazine.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions
How much does a horse drink a day?
When resting, an average horse needs around five liters of water per 100 kilograms of body weight per day. This requirement increases even with light work; a nursing mare even needs twice as much.
Is water containing iron harmful to horses?
A relatively new discovery is that iron can also be harmful in too high a proportion. The so-called hemosiderosis, i.e. the excessive accumulation of iron in the tissue, is often associated with serious liver diseases.
How clean is the drinking water for horses?
Some horse owners use a well to get water for their animals. A close look at the water values should become routine. Many bacteria often collect in these water reservoirs and ingredients such as iron, manganese or nitrate are also present in higher levels than is good for horses.