Pasture Management
for
Horses

Water Supply

The horse requires a supply of water at all times. The amount consumed is said to be anywhere between 5 and 50 litres per day depending on the weather conditions and the moisture content of the food.
If the horse is eating lush grass (which is about 80% water) then the requirement will be at the lower end of the scale. If the consumption is at the higher end of the scale, one horse would require over one third of a tonne of water per week (a lot of bucket- fulls). A piped water supply is therefore normally required.

It will be necessary to have a trough, large enough to hold the water required by the horses from one check to the next (in-case the supply fails), and filled automatically by a ball valve that is protected from damage by horses. It may be acceptable to have a trough that is filled regularly from a tap, as long as a continuous supply is ensured. In-fact this system may have some benefits from allowing you to monitor water consumption, which can some times warn of changes in an animal's health.

The trough should be purpose made of galvanised iron or concrete and sited where horses will have easy access and not cause excessive poaching. Old baths should not be used unless they can be 'boxed in' so that horses cannot injure themselves on sharp edges, and the taps removed.

A natural stream may be used as a water supply if-

• There is no risk of pollution in the stream.
• It has a firm bottom so there is no risk of the horse ingesting sand or gravel that may cause colic.
• The horse has easy access.
• It is always flowing.

Horses should not be alowed access to stagnent water.