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Can Horses Stay Hydrated From Eating Snow?

February 4, 2019
Posted by Clair Thunes, PhD

A study found a herd of Icelandic horses survived after their water source froze during a snowy period. But, as a rule, horses should always have access to fresh water.

Topics: Commentary, Hay, Horse Care, Horse Nutrition Commentary Series, Nutrition, Nutrition Basics, Water & Electrolytes

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can horses stay hydrated from eating snow

One study found a herd of horses accustomed to consuming snow survived after their water source froze during a short period. But, as a rule, horses should always have access to fresh, clean, and unfrozen water. | Photo: iStock

Q.I live in an area in which winter is extremely cold and snowy. Keeping unfrozen water available for my horses is a challenge, especially in their pasture. I have noticed my horses eating snow when they’re turned out, even though water is available. Do I need to give them water, or can they get enough water from the snow during turnout?

—Via e-mail

A.As a rule, horses need continuous or frequent access to clean water at all times. This certainly poses a challenge when temperatures fall below freezing. Tactics such as floating tennis balls in troughs will prevent water from freezing when temperatures are at or very slightly below freezing. However, when temperatures fall well below freezing, as we have seen across much of the United States in the past week, these tactics don’t work

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Written by:

Clair Thunes, PhD

Clair Thunes, PhD, is an equine nutritionist who owns Clarity Equine Nutrition, based in Gilbert, Arizona. She works as a consultant with owners/trainers and veterinarians across the United States and globally to take the guesswork out of feeding horses and provides services to select companies. As a nutritionist she works with all equids, from WEG competitors to Miniature donkeys and everything in between. Born in England, she earned her undergraduate degree at Edinburgh University, in Scotland, and her master’s and doctorate in nutrition at the University of California, Davis. Growing up, she competed in a wide array of disciplines and was an active member of the U.K. Pony Club. Today, she serves as the district commissioner for the Salt River Pony Club.

One Response

Albert says:

February 4, 2019 at 5:22 pm

I would tend to agree with Dr. Thunes’ response. Whether or not horses can sustain their water needs by eating snow greatly depends on the moisture content of the snow as well as the type of feed and how much feed they are consuming at the time. Wild horses (as well as sheep, cattle and wildlife in the same environment) regularly consume snow as a water source for weeks or even months at a time in an open range environment. In addition to eating snow when they are pawing thru snow to access their forage they are consuming some snow along with their forage. However, under these conditions wild horses probably aren’t consuming what would be considered a full ration. This is one reason wild horses often lose a significant amount of weight in the winter. With reduced forage consumption comes reduced need for water. Typically they can eat enough snow to meet there water needs when they are eating a reduced amount of dry feed. If however you supplement horses or wildlife under these conditions with dry hay and they don’t have access to open water, you will quickly see serious complications and deaths related to impactions of feed in the intestines.

My advice is to ideally provide open water either free choice or at least an abundant amount once or twice per day and to never supplement wild horses (or any domestic stock or wildlife) with hay unless you can also supplement them with free choice open water.

Good luck, chop ice and stay warm!

Al Kane, DVM, MPVM, PhD
Advisor, APHIS/BLM Wild Horse and Burro Partnership