During long performance bouts like endurance rides, horses should be offered water frequently. After completing an exhaustive performance like a cross-country course, horses should continue to be offered water during the cool-down period. This is in contrast to the traditional belief that a hot horse should not be offered water—probably due to the storybook Black Beauty. However, Michigan State University researcher Dr. Hal Schott has repeatedly found in his studies that horses do best when offered water frequently, even when continuing on with strenuous exercise. An idle adult horse can drink 10 to 12 gallons of water per day. An exercising horse may need an increase of 20 to 300% beyond its normal water intake! A horse can lose 5 to 10% of its body weight through sweat, and that amount must be replaced by water. Hot weather can cause the requirement for water to quadruple. Beware of combined factors such as these that may increase the water requirement even more. An overworked horse that has lost too much water and electrolytes can become a victim of heat exertion. Heat exertion can be fatal if not addressed quickly. Hence, it is better to prevent it by providing water frequently before, during, and after exercise and supplementing electrolytes before, during, and after performance. After exercise, continue to let the horse drink frequently until it no longer is interested in drinking water. Initially, offer small amounts of water every few minutes, and gradually let the horse drink more as he begins to cool down. The horse should have free access to as much water as he can drink after he is cool. Check your horse for any signs of dehydration.

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