Water Research at New Bolton Center determined that during the winter
when warm and cold water are both available, a horse will prefer to drink the
cold water, but in lesser amounts than if only warm water were available.
When only provided with either warm or cold water, horses will consume more
warm water than cold water. Therefore, in order to get a horse to drink
more water during the winter, lessening the risk for dehydration, only
provide warm water. In addition, researchers also observed that confined
horses drank the most shortly after a grain meal or within an hour of eating
hay. It is suggested that lack of availability during this time might
contribute to poor performance or colic.
In a Kentucky study, it was
found that resuming exercise delayed further absorption of water. Geldings
performed in a simulated endurance training exercise to determine if
high-intensity exercise influenced fluid uptake from the gastrointestinal
tract. During a one-hour rest period, some water was absorbed and rehydration
began. However, when the horses resumed exercise, exercise then delayed
absorption. Rich said there is a risk of colic and founder when hot horses
drink cold water and then stand around. Rich recommended that hard-working
horses in prolonged exercise be allowed periodic rests of at least one hour
with free access to water after a cool-down period.
In other research,
feeding fat to performance horses has been shown to have beneficial effects
on water retention and water available for sweating, which allows for better
heat dissipation during hot, humid weather.
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