A standard bucket holds approximately 5 gallons, although some bucket manufacturers also make heated 16-gallon and larger sizes. Of course, you’ll have to be prepared to refill those buckets twice daily or more, since an average horse will drink approximately 6 to 8 gallons each day. If your barn or run-in sheds have electrical outlets, buckets with built-in electric heaters provide an economical way to raise the water temperature. If you want to be more precise, think temperatures in the mid 60-degree Fahrenheit range. So you won’t need to bring him that steaming cup of Chai, but you do need to take the chill off his beverage. Studies show that horses consume more water when it’s tepid-in other words, cool but not cold. The most important thing is to make sure his water supply is a comfortable drinking temperature. We’ve all heard the adage, “You can lead a horse to water…”īut what can we really do to encourage him to drink? The problem, of course, is that the colder it gets, the less your horse will feel like drinking-even when his body really needs fluid. Adequate water in your horse’s system allows him to efficiently digest feed and convert food calories into body heat.Ī horse’s drive to drink is dictated by his thirst. Having your horse’s body fluids at optimum levels will be his best defense against the cold-and colic. Yet it’s essential to keep your horse well hydrated during winter.
In fact, the closer your horse’s water is to freezing temperature, the less he will be inclined to drink it. Not surprisingly, when winter hits, your horse doesn’t feel much like drinking ice water either.
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