Provide fresh, clean water in clean troughs or buckets at all times. | Photo: Photos.com

The old adage is accurate: “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” That’s especially true for severely dehydrated horses in medical crisis. But there are ways to keep your horse well-hydrated from the start and avoid these potentially dangerous scenarios.

First, provide fresh, clean water in clean troughs or buckets at all times. Check frequently for dirt, debris, manure, dead animals, or other contaminants. (These truly are deterrents: I have seen horses dehydrated and colicking in a paddock because they would not drink water from a trough with a dead opossum in it.) Scrubbing dirty troughs and buckets and refilling them is part of the nitty-gritty of horse keeping–don’t overlook this important first step.

In cold weather horses drink less water, especially if the water is cold as ice (or literally is ice). Warm up the water in the wintertime by regularly adding hot water or by using bucket or trough heaters. Studies have shown that horses prefer drinking water that is around 50°F