09/04/2025
☀️ What a great explanation ☀️
We often forget and take for granted that our horses will just drink. I have recently found this out the hard way. As I, now have to offer a few water buffet, he especially likes the electrolytes in his water. Many buckets are key and placed I find in different areas of the field and stable if you can 😊 more so in the warm weather as then they are not too far from a water station.
𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐞𝐬 , 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧’𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥
We bit late posting this, life got in the way 😩
Let’s talk about water. Simple, right? Not when you own horses. From the gelding who refuses to drink unless the bucket is sparkling, to the mare who acts personally offended if her water isn’t just the right temperature, keeping horses hydrated is surprisingly dramatic.
So, instead of endlessly scrubbing buckets and begging your horse to drink, why not make water more appealing on their terms?
𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗹?
Because horses are basically walking water balloons. Their digestive systems, muscles, and temperature regulation rely on hydration. When they’re not drinking enough, things can go south fast:
• 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜 (𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨, 𝐯𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐥)
• 𝐊𝐢𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬
• 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
And yet, they’ll act like you’re the unreasonable one for offering slightly tepid water with a speck of hay in it.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐲 “𝐍𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬” 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
1.Temperature Tantrums
Too hot? Too cold? Too lukewarm? Apparently, your horse is now a sommelier.
2.Bucket Snobbery
Some hate blue buckets. Some hate black. Some just hate anything that isn’t a natural spring flowing down a mountain.
3.Cold Weather = No Thirst
Even though they’re working and sweating, many horses drink less in cool weather. Because logic.
4.Dirty Water = Immediate Boycott
Even if you just cleaned it this morning. If there’s a leaf in it? Cancelled.
5.Something Changed and Now I Hate Everything
New field, new bucket, new stablemate? Your horse might suddenly act like water is poison.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?
It’s easy to assume a horse that’s not guzzling water will be fine “until later,” but dehydration can creep up faster than you think and the effects can be serious.
Lethargy
If your usually alert and responsive horse suddenly seems sleepy, slow to move, or generally “not quite right,” dehydration could be the culprit.
Gums
Healthy gums should be soft, moist, and a nice pale pink. Press your thumb gently to the gum if the colour doesn’t bounce back within 2 seconds, it’s a red flag. Deep red or sticky gums = time to act fast.
Eyes
Dull, sunken, or dry-looking eyes are another common sign. A well-hydrated horse’s eyes should be bright and clear.
Skin Pinch Test (Tent Test)
Pinch a bit of skin on the shoulder or neck and let go. It should snap back instantly. If it takes more than 2 seconds, your horse may be mildly dehydrated. 4 seconds or more? That’s a serious issue.
Urine Check
Look at both colour and quantity. Healthy urine should be pale yellow. Dark, thick, or very smelly urine or worse, not much at all are strong signs that hydration needs to be addressed.
Sweating (or not sweating)
Horses need to sweat to regulate their temperature. If your horse isn’t sweating during exertion or in heat, especially if they used to, they might be suffering from anhidrosis, a condition where horses lose the ability to sweat. It can be caused or worsened by chronic dehydration and is often very difficult to manage.
Elevated Heart Rate
A resting heart rate that seems higher than usual could indicate dehydration or even heat stress. Anything consistently above 40-44 bpm at rest is worth monitoring.
Fever
Dehydration can lead to fever, and while a fever doesn’t always mean a horse is dehydrated, it’s a common pairing when things start to go wrong.
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨 𝐢𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
If you spot one or more of these signs:
Offer Water Immediately
Cool but not cold water is best. You can also offer flavored or supplemented water (like the options in a water buffet) to encourage drinking.
Electrolytes Can Help
Whether in feed, water, or paste form, electrolytes can help restore the balance of fluids and salts.
Call Your Vet
If the symptoms are severe or not improving after fluid intake don’t wait. Dehydration can turn serious fast, especially in performance horses, foals, or older horses.
Monitor Urine, Heart Rate, and Gums
These can give you a good indicator of whether things are improving.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫
The best way to deal with dehydration? Avoid it in the first place:
Provide constant access to clean, fresh water
Offer salt or electrolyte supplements, especially in warmer months or when working
Make use of a water buffet to keep things interesting and allow self-selection
Monitor water intake daily, especially during weather changes, travel, or stressful events
𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝘁
So what’s the solution? Turn their water station into a buffet. A few buckets, a few extras, and your horse gets to choose what they need. It’s not just enrichment it’s hydration with benefits.
Here’s what’s on the menu to try:
1. 🌟 Turmeric
The golden all-rounder. Anti-inflammatory, joint support, liver love, and gut goodness. Your horse’s daily dose of “I got this.”
2. 🌿 Mint
Fresh or dried, it helps digestion, soothes the mouth, and makes water taste like horsey mojitos. Great for travel too!
3. 🌹 Rosehip Powder
Packed with natural vitamin C & E, antioxidants, and joint support. Tasty and brilliant for skin & immune health.
4. 🥄 Fenugreek
Smells like pancakes (no joke). Great for digestion and blood sugar balance. Most horses love the flavor.
5. 🧘♀️ Ashwagandha
The zen herb. Balances cortisol and chills out the anxious, overthinker types (you know the one).
6. 🌼 Chamomile & Cornflowers
The sleepy-time blend. Soothing, calming, and gentle on the tummy. Great for nervous horses or after busy days.
7. 🌱 Nettle
For muscle & lymph support, circulation, and general vitality. Use dried or wilt fresh nettles for a mineral-rich boost.
8. 🌺 Hibiscus
Beautiful AND beneficial supports liver function, immunity, and adds a punchy pink colour to the bucket!
9. 🍬 Liquorice
Aids gut health and supports liver function. Sweet and tasty, but use in moderation especially for metabolic horses.
10. 🌿 Rosemary & Basil
Your horse’s Mediterranean moment. Antioxidant power, hindgut support, and they smell amazing.
11. 🌻 Marigold (Calendula)
So good for digestion, immune system, and lymphatic flow. Plus floaty yellow petals = spa vibes.
12. 🌾 Cleavers
The detox queen. Helps support lymphatic drainage and circulation. Super palatable and horses love it!
13. 🍎 Apple Cider Vinegar
Gut-friendly, immune-supporting, and helps keep flies away. Also gives that tangy “zing” some horses go mad for.
14. 🧖♀️ Green Clay
For internal detox, gut health, and trace minerals. Offer for 2–3 weeks max and always provide a fresh water alternative!
15. ☕ Herbal Tea Blends
Make a strong horse-safe brew (like chamomile or raspberry leaf), cool it down, dilute, and serve. Bonus: smells amazing!
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐈𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬
More Drinking: More options = more interest
Self-Selection: Horses often know what they need
Health Support: Each option supports something different
Mental Enrichment: Especially important for track-living horses or stabled horses
Adjust weekly or seasonally based on their vibe and health needs.
Of course, fresh, plain water is always available too. That’s non-negotiable.
𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 & 𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬:
Top up morning and night
Use small amounts, just a small scoop or two per bucket
Herbs are soaked overnight and diluted in the morning
Watch which buckets they drain first, they’ll show you what they need
𝐇2𝐎 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥
Water might seem like a no-brainer, but with horses, it’s anything but. Offering a water buffet takes the drama out of hydration and gives your horse more control over what they’re taking in.
You don’t have to offer everything at once (unless you want a horsey hydration tasting flight), but putting out two or three options alongside clean, fresh water gives them choice, enrichment, and the ability to self-select what their bodies need.
Because let’s face it, your horse is basically a nutritionist with hooves when given options.
Let’s keep those water buckets full, and our horses drinking happy. Share your secret recipes, we won’t tell the ponies.
Here is a water buffer kit to get you started with instructions.
https://finerforage.co.uk/products/water-buffet-kit
Photo credit: TikTok:carliecares
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