Water, essential elixir of life: All about drinking water for horses
- Ann Verheyen
- Jan 8
- 7 min read
The importance of high-quality drinking water for horses cannot be overstated. It's just as crucial to their health and performance as the quality of their feed. In this article, we delve deeply into the subject and answer the most frequently asked questions about your horse's drinking water, from source to trough.
What topics do we cover in this blog?
💧 The quality of drinking water: Where does it come from?
Not all water is the same. The source of drinking water directly impacts its composition and safety.
Tap water
Advantage: Generally the safest and most consistent source in Belgium. It is strictly monitored for bacteria and harmful substances and is widely available.
Disadvantage: May contain traces of chlorine (although usually in safe concentrations) and lime content varies depending on region ("hard" or "soft" water).
Well water (groundwater)
Advantage: Often rich in natural minerals. It's a cost-effective alternative if you use a lot of water.
Disadvantage: Highest risk of contamination. It may contain elevated levels of nitrates, heavy metals (e.g., iron), and bacteria (coliforms), especially after heavy rainfall or near septic tanks or fertilized fields.
Rainwater
Advantage: Very soft and often palatable to horses. Free of lime and chlorine.
Disadvantage: Must be very well filtered and stored to prevent contamination with dust, leaves, bird droppings, and harmful microorganisms from the air or the storage tank. Stagnation is a risk.
⚠️ Point of attention
Horses are sensitive to subtle differences in smell and taste. A horse that notices a change in water quality may drink less, putting it at risk for colic or dehydration.
Is water testing necessary?
Yes, especially when using wellwater or rainwater! It's the only way to be sure of its safety and composition. Test for bacteria (coliforms), heavy metals (iron, manganese), and nitrates.
In Belgium you can have water tested at specialized laboratories that offer analyses for livestock or drinking water, such as Eurofins.be
Note: Too much of certain minerals (such as iron, sulfur, or nitrates) can be harmful. This is one of the reasons why testing your well water is so important!
Warm or cold drinking water in winter
Research has shown that horses drink significantly more when the water isn't ice cold. The ideal temperature is around 10-15 degrees Celsius .
The Reason: Drinking ice-cold water costs the horse energy to restore body temperature and inhibits the drinking reflex.
Therefore, try to offer water at a moderate temperature in winter, for example by using a heated drinking trough .
The recommendation to provide warmer water is supported by European research focusing on the management of horses in cold climates.
(Source: Vestergaard, M. et al. (Aarhus University, Denmark). Research and recommendations regarding winter water management emphasize that heating water significantly increases total daily intake, a crucial step in preventing impaction colic.)
Minerals in water and their absorption
Water isn't just H₂O. It contains dissolved solids, including minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and sodium in very limited quantities.
Although food is the primary source of nutrients, minerals in water are more readily absorbed because they are already in ionic, dissolved form. They can be absorbed by the digestive system more quickly and efficiently than minerals in solid feed form.
In summer, but also in winter, adding Celtic sea salt to your horse's water can be a smart and natural strategy.
Instinctively, horses in the wild drink uncontaminated (ground)water. This water naturally contains the minerals present in the soil. For our domesticated horses, this is largely impossible. Therefore, it's important to consider adding minerals to drinking water.
The power of Celtic sea salt as an electrolyte and mineral
Why Celtic sea salt?
Electrolytes: Celtic sea salt is a natural, unrefined salt that, in addition to sodium chloride, also contains a broad spectrum of trace elements and minerals (such as magnesium and potassium) that are lost during heavy exercise or sweating.
Drinking stimulant: Sodium (salt) is the primary motivator for drinking . Adding salt encourages the horse to drink more, which is crucial for electrolyte absorption and preventing dehydration and colic.
When to add?
Summer and exercise: Absolutely essential! During periods of high temperatures and intense training (when the horse sweats heavily), it acts as a vital electrolyte replacement.
Year-round: It's good practice to add a small amount of Celtic sea salt to the water for several short periods throughout the year. Always ensure that unsalted drinking water is also available. This way, the horses can choose and drink what they need at any given time.
❄️ Anti-freeze tips: Water at freezing temperatures
Although freezing weather in Belgium may not last for weeks, a few days of frost can pose a risk to your horse's hydration.
Do horses drink more in freezing weather?
No, on the contrary. Despite increased dry hay intake, horses often drink less than their needs in winter, especially when the water is icy cold. This makes adequate water management crucial for preventing colic.
Helpful anti-freeze tips & techniques
For the drinking trough - manual tips
The ball trick: Place plastic bottles filled with saltwater or a rubber ball in the trough. The movement slows the formation of ice.
Black troughs: Choosing black troughs absorbs more sunlight.
Insulate the trough: Place the drinking trough inside a larger container or tire and fill the space with straw or insulating material.
For pipes and tanks - technological solutions
Heated drinking troughs
This is the most direct solution for the watering trough itself. These troughs are equipped with a thermostat and an internal heating element that automatically keeps the water at the ideal temperature. As soon as the temperature gets too close to freezing, the heating kicks in. This ensures the horse always has access to drinking water.
Frost-free pipes
To prevent the water from freezing before it reaches the drinking trough, there are two reliable methods:
Heat traces: These are electrical tapes wrapped directly around water pipes and placed under insulation. The tapes emit a gentle heat, either continuously or based on the ambient temperature, effectively preventing stagnant water in the pipe from freezing.
Recirculation system: This system uses a small circulation pump that keeps the water in the pipes constantly moving. Stagnant water freezes quickly; the gentle, continuous circulation prevents stagnation. This is a very energy-efficient way to protect long pipes. These systems are also available with heating.
Keeping Storage Tanks Frost-Free
For larger water storage tanks, the combination of insulation and heating is necessary:
Insulation: Insulate the tank extremely well with thick plates or an insulating jacket.
Tank heating element (immersion heater): Use a stainless steel immersion heater with a thermostat. This element is placed in the tank and heats the water (often with a power output of 1 kW to 3 kW) only when the temperature becomes critical, ensuring the tank contents always remain above freezing.
💡 Extra tips for optimal drinking water management
Tip 1. The ideal location and accessibility
Provide multiple water points in the pasture or paddock, and keep water troughs away from corners. Multiple water sources reduce competition and ensure that lower-ranking horses have sufficient water.
Tip 2. The importance of daily cleaning
Scrub water troughs and automatic drinking nipples thoroughly daily or at least every other day . Removing the biofilm (a slimy layer of bacteria and algae) is essential, as it negatively impacts the taste and can harbor pathogens.
Tip 3. Pay attention to the water flow at automatic drinking troughs
Check the flow rate of automatic waterers. The trough should be capable of delivering a minimum of 8 to 10 liters per minute .
Too low a flow rate can cause frustration and discourage horses from taking in the required amount quickly enough.
Tip 4. Pay attention to the pH value of the water
Ideally, the pH of drinking water for horses should be between 6.5 and 8.5 (neutral to slightly basic).
A pH that is too low or too high can affect the taste and promote corrosion or limescale build-up, which damages water quality.
Tip 5. Give horses familiar water during transport
When traveling, competing, or moving, if possible, bring water from home in your own bottles or buckets.
Horses are extremely sensitive to changes in smell and taste. Unfamiliar water can be rejected, leading to dehydration during times of stress and exertion.
Tip 6. Hydration for older horses: Provide comfortable access
Make sure the water troughs are at a comfortable, shallow height and that the horse does not have to stoop or walk over unstable/slippery ground to drink.
Arthritis, joint pain, or other age-related ailments in seniors can lead to voluntary water refusal when it becomes painful.
Tip 7. Hydration for older horses: Monitor kidney function and salt balance
Be alert for kidney dysfunction and consult with your veterinarian or nutritionist regarding exact salt requirements or the addition of electrolytes.
Reduced kidney efficiency in older horses makes them less able to maintain water and electrolyte balance, making them more vulnerable to dehydration or overexertion.
Conclusion: The investment in water quality pays for itself
The quality of your horse's drinking water is a direct reflection of the care you give it. Make sure it's safe, clean , and, in winter, not icy cold . These tips will lay the foundation for a vital and healthy horse and prevent all sorts of ailments, diseases, and future health problems.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please contact us!
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