2 minute read
Hauling Hints
H2O to Go
Here’s how to meet your traveling horse’s water needs to help keep him hydrated and healthy.
By Bonnie Davis
Your traveling horse needs about 10 to 30 gallons of water per day in the summer to stay hydrated and healthy. Here, we’ll tell you how to meet your traveling horse’s water needs to help keep him hydrated and healthy.
Plan Ahead
In the trailer. Every time you load your horse into your trailer, also pack a full water can, as well as a pail or tub your horse can drink from.
On day rides. Pack one full, five-gallon water can per horse; this is usually sufficient for a day trail ride in temperate weather.
In camp. If you’re going horse camping, your water considerations will be more extensive. Some camps will have a natural water source, but just because such a source is on a map doesn’t mean your horse will always have access to it.
On the Road
Buy a built-in. Built-in waterers are convenient, but you’ll need access to a faucet and hose at your destination for refill ease.
Invest in containers. If you’ll need to haul water from a stream or other source, you’ll need small containers you can lift when full.
Store water safely. If you have a two-horse, straight-load trailer with a tack compartment, you can slide cans of water under the saddle racks.
Think big. To supplement your water supply on longer trips, install a 50-gallon plastic water container in one corner of your trailer’s tack compartment. Also pack four 5-gallon water cans and four 2½-gallon water cans.
Your trail horse needs about 10 to 30 gallons of water per day to stay hydrated and healthy.
PHOTO BY KENT & CHARLENE KRONE
Horse-Watering Tips
Bring your own bucket. Give your horse water in his own bucket; disease and parasites can lurk in common drinking areas.
Make him drink. Some horses are finicky when it comes to water taste. To tempt your horse to drink unfamiliar water, add an eight-ounce can of apple juice per one gallon of water. (Tip: Do this at home a few times before you leave to accustom him to the apple flavor.)
Pack canvas. If you’re going trail riding, tie a canvas water pail to your saddle or pack. This pail will come in especially handy on federal lands, where you’re not allowed to take your horse to lakes, streams, ponds, or rivers.
Pack a rope. Tie a 30-foot rope to your saddle or pack. If you come upon a stream that you can’t hike right down to, simply open the canvas water pail, tie the rope to the handle, and toss it into stream.
Away from home, give your horse water in his own bucket; disease and parasites can lurk in common drinking areas.
PHOTO BY CLIXPHOTO.COM
Water-Conservation Tips
Water the feed. If your horse’s feed contains water, he’ll need less water afterward.
Catch excess water. After giving your horse soaked forage, fill an empty feed tub about halfway with water, and set it under the haynet to catch excess water.
Tap other sources. Let your horse drink from water sources along the trail or near the camp to conserve the water you’ve hauled in.
