Although we do not know of any documented cases of this type of transfer in horses, technically, yes, they could, though the risk would be low. So here is why. Exposure to rabies virus is considered a risk if you have mucous membrane or open wound contact with saliva or spinal fluid or spinal or brain tissue from infected animals. (Bats are a little different in that in a bat cave, the exposure could come from inhalation.) Thus, a rabid horse drinking from a trough could very well drip contaminated saliva into that trough. Others drinking from that trough would be exposed to the virus if they drink from it and especially if they had any type of open wound or ulcer on their face or in their mouth. The rabies virus does not survive long in the environment, and rabid horses often have difficulty swallowing, so they usually do not drink. Although it would be possible, when you look at the likelihood of risk, it is low.

Browse related Faqs by tag: horses, water, horse, rabies