THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER IN WINTER

Many people are of the belief that in winter their horses simply don’t need to drink as much water, nor do they need salt or electrolyte supplements. We can be tricked into such way of thinking because temperatures aren’t as high, humidity is lower, and our may horses may not appear to be visually sweating as much, thus it must be normal for fluid intake to reduce, right? Actually, the answer is no. This could not be further from the truth! In fact, our horse’s hydration levels need just as much attention in winter as they do in summer.

Naturally, a horses thirst reflex, controlled by salt levels in the body is reduced in winter, if left unstimulated. But there can also be a number of physical and environmental barriers that further impact on water intake.

• Water temperatures fall in the colder months, so horses may tend to drink less. In some cases, water access may even be restricted in very early mornings when troughs may freeze over from frost.
• Horses still sweat throughout winter even if it’s not as “visible” (perhaps not working up white foaming sweat as easily). Horses that are in training and competition, and even those who may be inappropriately rugged, will still produce daily sweat. As well as excretion of electrolytes, they will be losing all the important Vitamin B’s that need to be replenished daily.
• Decrease in pasture quantity and quality in winter reduces the availability of fluid intake through grazing fresh grass
• Increased intake of dry feeds such as hay and chaff, used to maintain roughage intake and condition may be prioritised over grazing, which as mentioned above, is another fluid source, thus reducing natural intake.  

What can a reduced water intake lead to?

• Dehydration can occur as water intake reduces
• Reduction in gut mobility due to reduced fluid intake
• Increased risk of impaction colic due to dehydration
• Effects on body temperature regulation

What can I do to reduce this risk of winter dehydration?

The best way to avoid dehydration in winter is much the same as our approaches during summer!

• Add 30g of salt to your horse’s feed
• Ensure access to a salt lick ad lib. Make sure your salt lick is molasses free, such as the Ranvet Iodised Salt Licks, to avoid your horse overindulging in it for the hidden sugars
• Monitor daily water intake and supply
• Monitor water quality and temperature. Regularly refresh water troughs and check in the mornings for freeze overs.
• Add an electrolyte supplement to your daily feed, or have one on hand to provide after exercising / travelling your horse. Ranvet Electrolyte Replacer is a great option for targeted electrolyte supplementation, or if you are looking for a premium electrolyte and B-group Vitamin Replacer, Salkavite is a go to! Either of these products can be added to the daily ration from doses starting at 30g. 

Proper hydration is just as important when it is cold as it is during the warmer months. Dehydration can quickly lead to various health ailments; poor gut health, reduced performance, loss of body condition and poor general health, and can escalate quickly into colic. Continuing to maintain good fluid and electrolyte intake in winter is critical to your horse’s health. Small things such as adding salt to your horses’ diet monitoring water supply and adding a salt lick to the yard are just a few things you can do to help your horse stay hydrated and healthy through the cold winter months.

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