You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink is a well-known English proverb. Figuratively, it means that you can't force someone to do something they don't want to do, but as a horse owner, you can also take this proverb quite literally. However, there are some things you can do to make your horse drink (better) when you are away from home.

When should a horse drink?

Just like people, some horses drink more than others. Horses can also go without water for a few hours. But when it's hot, or when your horse has to exert a lot of effort, he loses a lot of fluids. This can range from about 7 to 12 liters of water per hour. A light effort in hot and humid weather can cause just as much fluid loss as a heavy effort in cooler and drier weather. It's really a combination of work and weather conditions. Stress also causes a horse to sweat more, for example, when in the trailer. Horse sweat contains a lot of minerals that need to be replenished. Not only water is important, but also salt and other electrolytes need to be monitored.

Turgor test

An easy way to see if your horse is dehydrating is to hold a piece of skin on the neck between two fingers and lift it slightly. If you release the skin after a few seconds, it should immediately return to its original shape. If you see a fold for a moment, or if the skin stays lifted for a moment, the 'turgor' (elasticity) of the skin is too low. It means your horse needs to drink. Test regularly at home to see what is normal for your horse.

Tips to encourage drinking

Since we prefer to prevent your horse from dehydrating, here are seven tips for when you're on the go or spending longer periods on unfamiliar terrain.

Tip 1 – No stress!

A stressed horse doesn't drink or drinks too little. Your horse needs to feel safe to start drinking. You can reduce stress during transport or at shows with the help of a liquid herbal supplement against stress. Stress is also reduced when the water smells familiar and when your horse can drink from a familiar bucket. It can also help if your horse is used to being tied to the trailer while drinking. This brings us to the next tip.

Tip 2 – Practice

Practice at home with drinking from the bucket you will use at shows or on trail rides. Also practice drinking while your horse is by the trailer, just like it will happen at shows or on trail rides. See where your horse feels most comfortable, but don't keep trying endlessly. The horse should not get used to having a hundred chances to drink. It needs to learn to take advantage of the opportunity when it arises. For example, ride a training session and offer your horse water afterwards. If he doesn't want to drink, leave him somewhere without water for an hour. Then try again. Often, the horse will drink then.

Tip 3 – A tasty flavor

Is your horse not drinking? Add a tasty flavor to the water. For example, a bit of apple juice, or even better: a liquid supplement with electrolytes. Practice this as well and see what your horse likes. When you add the same tasty flavor to 'unfamiliar' water at a competition, your horse is more likely to drink it.

Tip 4 - Seeing others drink makes them drink

Especially in endurance and trail riding, it can be useful if your horse wants to drink rainwater from puddles or water from a stream. The best way to teach this is with an experienced horse present. When horses see another horse drinking from a puddle, they often do it themselves. You can also simulate this at home in the paddock.

Tip 5 - Bring water with you

If you are only away for a day and your horse doesn't always drink unfamiliar water, you can choose to bring water from the stable with you. That way, it won't taste strange. And on some competition grounds, you have to carry water a long way, so it's easier for yourself as well!

Tip 6 - Soaked hay

If your horse still doesn't drink well on unfamiliar terrain, soak the hay, give soaked grass pellets, or a little grain-free mash. Watery fruits like melons can also be a temporary solution to get some fluids in. As long as a horse drinks poorly, concentrated feed is not a good idea, even though it often makes them thirsty. It's better to offer roughage to see if that stimulates the thirst.

Tip 7 – Light exercise

If nothing works and your horse hasn't drunk anything for a long time, try to do some light lunging or walking, and then offer water again afterwards.