| By Heidi
J. Potter
We know that horses always need unlimited
access to clean, fresh water. On average,
a horse will consume 12-20 gallons
per day, depending on weather and
workload. However, are we aware of
their drinking habits?
Most horses will seek out water after
eating grain, hay and/or grazing.
In many programs horses are taken
out of the field or paddock and brought
directly to the cross ties or hitching
rail. At that point it may be several
hours before they will be returned
to any water source.
Please be mindful where he is in
his daily cycle when you go out to
get a horse for work. Have you seen
him just take a drink? Did he recently
finish a meal? Did you just take him
away from his pile of hay?
To help ensure his good health just
stop by his water source for a moment
to see if he is interested. If you
are paying attention the horse will
generally “tell” you that
they are interested in water as you
are passing by it. Some horses will
speak very quietly, so be mindful
about reading them. Others will boldly
pull you in that direction. They are
“shouting” to you so please
be sure to listen. Then be prepared
to practice patience as some (especially
those who lack confidence in the herd
or are lower down in the pecking order)
will need to look around, drop their
nose, pick their head up, look around
and then settle in for a drink. Others
will need to splash for a bit before
drinking. Some will take a drink,
take a breather and drink again.
Placing a large muck bucket just
outside the entrance to the barn helps
volunteers and barn staff to remember
stopping there before entering. This
works well as horses will generally
drink faster from a large bucket.
They don’t have to worry about
others in the herd sneaking up to
move them off. You also don’t
have to wait for an automatic waterer
to refill which can seem like an eternity
if you are in a hurry.
By putting a watering procedure in
place you help ensure the overall
health and happiness of your equine
partner.
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