Have you ever wondered why your horse hesitates to drink from the water trough in the summer? If you notice this, take a peek. Can you see the bottom of your trough?
You should be able to. In fact, it should be clean enough for you to have no problem taking a dip or a sip!
Keeping water troughs clean is not just about providing fresh water; it's about ensuring the health and wellbeing of your horses. Dirty water can lead to severe health issues and dehydration, making it essential to maintain cleanliness.
And water troughs grow gunk fast in the warmer months.
Today we’re exploring the importance of clean water troughs, the effects of dirty water on horses, and practical tips to keep troughs clean all summer long!
How Much Water Does a Horse Drink a Day?
Horses can drink 5-15 gallons (20-55 liters) of water per day. However, a horse’s water intake can vary depending on a number of factors, including the amount and intensity of work they are doing, as well as the weather and temperature.
Your horse will usually drink more when it is hot or after intense work. Like humans, horses sweat to help them cool down. Horse sweat contains a protein called latherin, which acts as a lubricant to help spread the sweat across the horse’s body. This allows the sweat to evaporate more quickly, helping to cool the horse more efficiently. This process also causes the horse to lose water, which needs to then be replaced.
Your horse may drink less during the colder months. However, horses should always have access to clean drinking water, even when it’s cold. This is because horses’ bodies require water for essential functions like digestion. Impaction colic tends to occur in the colder months, when horses tend to drink less or may be reluctant to drink cold water. It occurs when dried food becomes lodged in the digestive tract, causing a blockage.
Why Clean Water Troughs Matter to Horses’ Health
Summer heat can quickly turn water troughs into breeding grounds for algae and bacteria. Horses need more water during hot weather, and if the water is dirty, they might refuse to drink, leading to dehydration. Clean water is crucial for:
- Preventing Diseases: Stagnant, dirty water can harbor harmful bacteria, leading to illnesses such as colic and diarrhea.
- Ensuring Hydration: Horses are more likely to drink adequate amounts of water if it's clean, helping them stay hydrated and healthy.
- Avoiding Toxic Substances: Algae, especially blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful or even fatal to horses.
Consequences of Horses Drinking Dirty Water
Horses are particular about their water. Can you blame them? Nobody wants to drink around a thick layer of goo - horses included. Here are some of the consequences of not ensuring that your horse has access to clean drinking water:
- Dehydration: Lack of adequate water intake can cause dehydration, which affects a horse's overall health, leading to lethargy.
- Illnesses: Dirty water can contain pathogens that cause diseases like leptospirosis, which can lead to kidney damage or abortion in pregnant mares.
- Poor Nutrition: Dehydration affects digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to weight loss and poor coat condition.
Signs of Dehydration in Horses
Dehydration is a serious risk to a horse’s health and should be treated as a veterinary emergency. Signs of dehydration in horses include dark urine, lethargy, dullness in the eyes, dry skin or mouth and thick, sticky saliva. Your horse may demonstrate poor performance - such as poor concentration, tiredness and lack of enthusiasm or interest - as a result of dehydration. The symptoms of dehydration can be subtle, so it’s really important to monitor your horse. However, you ideally want to prevent dehydration in the first place, which is why constant access to clean drinking water is essential.
You can perform either the “skin pinch test” or the “capillary test” to check whether your may be dehydrated.
The skin pinch test is when you gently pinch a fold of skin and see how long it takes to return to normal
The capillary test is when you press your horse’s gums and see how long the white indentation takes to return to pink.
If the skin / gums take more than a couple of seconds to return to normal, then the horse is likely to be dehydrated.
How to Keep Your Horse’s Water Troughs Clean
Maintaining clean water troughs is a proactive way to ensure your horses stay healthy. Here are some practical tips:
- Regular Cleaning: Scrub the troughs at least once a week to remove algae and debris. Use a brush and a safe cleaning solution to ensure thorough cleaning. You may have to do it daily if the weather is hot and humid!
- Fresh Water Daily: Refill troughs with fresh water daily, at least twice, especially during hot weather. This prevents water from becoming stagnant and unappealing to horses.
- Proper Placement: Place troughs in shaded areas to slow down algae growth. Avoid placing them near manure piles to prevent contamination.
- Use Automatic Waterers: These can keep the water moving and fresh, reducing the chance of algae and bacteria buildup.
Cleaning Around Your Horse’s Water Trough
Horses often congregate around water troughs, leading to a buildup of manure, which can contaminate the water. Keeping the area clean is as important as cleaning the trough itself:
- Regular Manure Removal: Use tools like the Paddock Blade manure collector to efficiently remove manure from around the trough. This prevents contamination and reduces the presence of flies.
- Maintain Grass: Ensure the grass around the trough is kept short and managed to prevent muddy conditions that can further contaminate the water.
- Check for Leaks: A leaking trough can create muddy areas that become breeding grounds for insects and bacteria. Fix leaks promptly to maintain a clean environment.
In short, keeping water troughs clean in the summer is vital to the health of your herd. Dirty water can lead to dehydration and serious illnesses, making regular cleaning and maintenance essential.
By following the tips outlined in this here, you can make sure your horses have access to fresh, clean water, helping them stay healthy and hydrated throughout the hot summer months!
Water Trough Maintenance and Dehydration in Horses: FAQs
What happens if my horse drinks dirty water?
Drinking dirty water can lead to illnesses such as colic, diarrhea, and leptospirosis. It can also cause dehydration if the horse refuses to drink the contaminated water.
How often should I clean my horse's water trough?
You should scrub and clean your horse's water trough at least once a week and refill it with fresh water daily, especially in hot weather.
Can dirty water cause colic in horses?
Yes, dirty water can harbor harmful bacteria that can cause colic, a painful and potentially life-threatening condition in horses. Horses can also develop impaction colic - when dried food causes a blockage in the intestines - due to not drinking enough water.
Why is it important to clean around the water trough?
Cleaning around the water trough prevents manure buildup, which can contaminate the water and attract flies. It also helps maintain a healthy environment for your horse.
What tools can help with cleaning around the trough?
Tools like the Paddock Blade manure collector are fast and effective for removing manure and keeping the area around the trough clean.
How can I prevent algae growth in my water trough?
Placing the trough in a shaded area, using automatic waterers, and cleaning it regularly can help prevent algae growth.
