

Why winter hydration is crucial

Dehydration in the winter months may not be a foremost concern for horse owners, but everyone should be aware of the potential dangers. Vet Karen Coumbe explains the importance of staying hydrated, whatever the weather.

Given the heat and sweat of the summer months, many owners may think that dehydration is a fair-weather concern. However, it's important to be aware of the risks of fluid loss year-round - frozen drinking water and dropping temperatures in the winter months can mean that some horses actually drink less, increasing the possibility of dehydration.

The cold facts

Horses can survive for weeks without food, but only three or four days without water - it is vitally important for their health and wellbeing, and makes up around 60% of their body weight.




Signs of dehydration

You need to know what is 'normal' for your horse - how often he passes urine and droppings, the colour of his mucous membranes and his energy levels. Signs that he may be unwell and/or running low on fluid are:

  • Dark urine or not passing urine regularly
  • He looks dull, listless and depressed
  • Decreased performance levels

The 'skin pinch test' - where the skin is pinched and the time taken to return to normal is counted in seconds - is no longer considered a reliable indicator of hydration levels. The gold standard test is a blood sample to confirm dehydration - consult your vet if you're in any way concerned about dehydration.

Six ways to prevent dehydration

As the saying goes, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. To help prevent your equine friend suffering from dehydration, follow these six steps:

  1. Always ensure there is fresh water available. Horses don't like chilled water, especially in the winter, so add a little hot water if it's too cold.
  3. Break or melt ice on outdoor troughs every day, and take time to check that automatic drinking systems are not frozen. In sub-zero conditions, floating an apple in your horse's water buckets can help to slow down the freezing process, due to the bobbing motion of the apples.
  6. If your horse has a thick coat, he may sweat more profusely, so clipping will be beneficial.