Dehydration in horses during the winter is more of an issue than most people tend to think. Horses tend to be thirstier in the winter. A horse’s thirst mechanism does not always work as effectively in the winter as it does in the summer, especially if the humidity is high. Some horses will eat snow if it is available which will cut back on their water intake. This is not an adequate water source. Water should be always offered to horses. Horses tend to drink, on average, five to six gallons of water per day.
Here are some helpful tips to find out if your horse is dehydrated:
Canker is a chronic condition affecting horses' hooves. Horses suffering from canker develop foul-smelling, incredibly painful soft tissue in the frog and sole of the hoof. Canker in horses is caused by a bacterial infection that can be contracted in unsanitary environments. Additionally, horses who do not receive proper hoof hygiene can develop Canker.