Water Matters: Why Clean, Fresh Water Is the Key to Your Horse’s Health

When it comes to your horse’s nutrition, most owners focus on feed quality, forage, and supplements, but water is just as vital. In fact, after oxygen, water is the most essential nutrient for your horse’s body. It supports digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation, and without enough of it, everything else in your feeding plan starts to fall apart.

Yet despite being so critical, hydration often gets overlooked. When was the last time you checked your horse’s water trough? Is it clean and clear, or has it turned a bit green and grimy? A dirty water source can quickly discourage your horse from drinking, and that can lead to bigger problems.

When Was the Last Time You Looked in the Trough?

Clean water isn’t just about looks; it’s about health and safety. Algae and bacteria thrive in stagnant, dirty troughs and can make your horse reluctant to drink or even cause illness.

So, take a moment each day to check:

• Is the water fresh and clear?

• Is there any slime or green build-up?

• When was the last time the bucket or trough got a good scrub?

A quick clean can make all the difference in how much your horse drinks — and how healthy they stay.

How Much Water Does a Horse Really Need?

An average horse needs 30–40 litres of water per day, depending on size, weather, and workload. In spring, when grass is lush and moisture-rich, horses living out 24/7 can get up to 60% of their daily water intake from fresh grass.

But as the seasons shift, so does the water content in their diet.

When the Grass Declines, the Importance of Water Rises

As autumn and winter approach, grass growth slows, and horses rely more on hay and hard feed. These feeds contain far less moisture than grass, meaning your horse must drink more water to stay hydrated and digest food properly.

If they don’t, you may notice:

• Reduced appetite and forage intake

• Dry, hard droppings

• Increased risk of impaction colic

• Dehydration-related fatigue and dull coat condition

Simply put: less moisture in the feed means more water in the trough.

Tips to Keep Your Horse Drinking

Encouraging your horse to drink enough water doesn’t have to be complicated. Try these simple steps:

✅ Clean troughs and buckets regularly – scrub away algae and debris weekly (or more often in warm weather).

✅ Check water daily – especially if you use automatic drinkers.

✅ Prevent freezing in winter – break ice, add hot water and possibly use heated buckets if necessary.

The Takeaway: Keep It Clean, Not Green

Water might not be the first thing you think of when planning your horse’s diet, but it’s arguably the most important nutrient of all. As the seasons change and feed becomes drier, ensuring a constant supply of clean, fresh water is crucial for maintaining health, hydration, and overall wellbeing.

So remember: Keep it clean, not green — and always in plentiful supply. Because when it comes to your horse’s health, water truly matters.