Re: Snow/Cold Water

[Kim <kim@redhorsetech.com>]

A horse needs about 0.5 gallons of water per 100 lbs of body weight, but
can range from 0.3 to 1+ depending on the temperature, exercise, feeds
eaten, gestation/lactation (mares-only club here :-)), and so on and so
forth.

Snow will provide water, but it takes some work in getting enough water
to fulfill the horse's needs --- I hope a snow-skiier or northern
resident will correct me if I'm off on this, but if I remember right,
ten inches of new snow provides only *about* one inch of water
(depending on snow compaction and so forth).  Eating snow takes a lot of
work for just a bit of water!

Something to ponder:  Some horses who do not consume enough snow or cold
water may have an underlying dental problem in the works.  The cold
water or snow makes drinking very painful, and they will reduce the
frequency and quantity of water/snow consumed.  Food (or snow) for
thought!

-- Kim (and 'Lee, now of Lubbock, Texas --- land of cotton, oil, fat
prairie dogs, and vast flatness :-) --- where it was in the warm 80's
last week, but then snowed on the weekend.  Brrr.)


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