It’s no secret that horses need water to survive, but the amount they need might surprise you. Helene McKernan, a research assistant at Pennsylvania State University, said an average horse requires five to 10 gallons of water each day. This number rises, however, with the temperature and humidity.

During hot spells it is imperative to provide your horses with plenty of clean and cool water. McKernan noted that horses prefer cool water in the heat and warm water during the colder months, just like most people do.

If you find that your horse is not drinking water in the heat, you need to act quickly.

“A horse deprived of water may only live up to three or six days,” McKernan said. “After lacking water intake for two days a horse may refuse to eat and exhibit signs of colic and other life-threatening ailments.”

Using a water flavoring such as apple juice or sports drink (no artificial sugars please!) could help entice your horse to drink water. Adding electrolytes to your horse’s diet if they are sweating or have been in strenuous work might also prove beneficial.

On last thing to remember as you monitor your horse’s water intake is the proverbial saying that “what goes in, must come out.” Eventually, the majority of the water your horse consumes will exit the body in the form of sweat and urine. Sweat is easy to handle, but urine requires additional considerations.

Urine in your horse’s stall, run-in shed, and paddock creates ammonia, which can be a health risk for your animals. Ammonia accumulation in horse stalls, barns, and paddocks is more than an odor nuisance: Studies have shown that low levels of ammonia stress a horse’s upper respiratory airways, potentially placing them at risk of developing pneumonia, heaves, and other illnesses.

Using a stall refresher can help absorb and neutralize ammonia and other odors while providing fresh and safe air for your horse in his stall.

Don’t become lax about your horse’s water intake this summer. A lack of water in your horse’s diet can have serious consequences.