How much water should a horse drink in the summer?
Signs of dehydration, hydration tips & daily water needs 

Summer in Atlantic Canada means longer days, warmer temperatures, trail rides, horse shows, and more time spent outdoors. While most horse owners focus on feed, pasture quality, and fly control during the warmer months, one of the most important aspects of summer horse care is often the simplest: water. 

Hydration plays a critical role in your horse’s overall health, performance, digestion, and recovery. Understanding how much your horse should drink—and recognizing when they’re not getting enough—can help prevent serious health concerns during the hottest months of the year. 

Why water intake matters more in summer
Water is the most important nutrient in your horse’s diet. During summer, horses lose significant amounts of fluid through sweating as they regulate their body temperature.
Several factors can increase a horse’s risk of dehydration, including: 

• Hot temperatures
• High humidity 
• Increased exercise and training 
• Long trailer rides 
• Horse shows and competitions 
• Dry forage diets 
• Limited shade or pasture access 

Even mild dehydration can impact digestion, recovery, and performance. More severe dehydration can contribute to the impact of colic, heat stress, and electrolyte imbalances. 

How much water should a horse drink?
A typical horse will drink between 20 and 60 liters of water per day, depending on their size, workload, diet, and environmental conditions.
As a general guideline: 

• Horses at rest in moderate weather may drink 20–30 liters daily. 
• Horses working regularly or spending long hours in the sun may consume 40–60 liters or more. 
• Lactating mares and growing horses often require additional water. 
• Horses eating primarily dry hay typically drink more water than horses grazing lush pasture. 

The key is knowing what is normal for your horse and monitoring changes. 

Factors that increase water requirements: 

Hot weather: As temperatures rise, horses sweat more to cool themselves. Increased sweating means increased fluid loss that must be replaced.
Humidity: Atlantic Canadian summers often bring high humidity. Humid conditions make it harder for sweat to evaporate, causing horses to sweat longer and lose more fluids.
Exercise and performance: Whether you’re competing on the show circuit, trail riding, or training regularly, exercise significantly increases water requirements. Performance horses can lose several liters of fluid during a single workout.
Dry hay diets: Hay contains very little moisture compared to fresh pasture. Horses consuming mostly hay must make up the difference through increased water intake.
Travel: Many horses drink less while traveling because water tastes different at new locations or because the stress of transport reduces their desire to drink.
Senior horses: Older horses may be less efficient at regulating body temperature and can be more susceptible to dehydration during heat waves. 

Dehydration; What to look for in your horse
Dehydration can develop quickly during warm weather. Watch for these common warning signs: 

• Dry or firm manure 
• Reduced appetite 
• Lethargy or fatigue 
• Slow recovery after exercise 
• Reduced performance 
• Darker urine 
• Dry gums 
• Skin that tents when gently pinched 

If you suspect significant dehydration, contact your veterinarian immediately. 

Tips to encourage water intake 

Clean and fresh: Horses are surprisingly picky about water quality. Scrub buckets, troughs, and automatic waterers regularly encourage drinking.
Offer multiple options: Providing several water stations in fields, paddocks, and barns can encourage horses to drink more frequently.
Soaking feed: Adding water to beet pulp, hay cubes, pellets, or senior feeds can significantly increase daily water consumption.
Bring water from home: Many horses dislike unfamiliar water. Bringing water from home to horse shows or events can help maintain normal drinking habits.
Provide shade: Shade helps reduce heat stress and encourages horses to spend more time near water sources.
Electrolytes: Horses that sweat heavily may benefit from electrolyte supplementation to help replace minerals lost through sweat and encourage drinking. Always follow feeding directions and ensure fresh water is available. 

 Product support products here at Feeds’n Needs
Several products can help support hydration during the summer months, including: 

• Electrolyte supplements 
• Performance horse hydration products 
• Senior horse feeds designed for easy soaking 
• Beet pulp and other moisture-friendly feeds 
• Salt blocks and loose salt options 

Our team can help you choose the right hydration strategy based on your horse’s age, workload, and lifestyle.  

Feeds'n Needs Team