# Why Is My Horse Not Drinking Water? Causes and Steps A horse not drinking water is often a sign that something changed, either in their routine, their feed, or their health. Some horses cut back for a day after travel or cold weather and bounce back fine. Others stop drinking because of pain, dehydration, or a condition that needs treatment fast. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - A healthy horse usually drinks roughly 5 to 10 gallons of water a day, but the amount varies a lot by horse, weather, and workload [1]. - The fastest way to check hydration is the skin pinch test on the neck or shoulder, plus checking gum color and capillary refill time. - Sudden refusal to drink, especially with pawing, rolling, or no manure, points toward colic and needs a veterinarian now. - Horses that are not eating but still drinking water may have a different problem than horses that stop drinking, so note both behaviors. - Never force water into a horse's mouth. Offer fresh water, soaked feed, and salt, then call your veterinarian if the horse still will not drink. ## What Normal Drinking Looks Like Water is the main way a horse keeps its internal balance. The urinary system manages water and electrolyte levels, removes waste, and helps regulate blood pressure and red blood cell production [2]. When intake drops, that whole system has to work harder. Normal water intake for an adult horse is usually about 5 to 10 gallons per day, though this swings widely. A horse in summer heat or in heavy work may drink far more. A horse on lush pasture in cool weather may drink less. Salt intake also varies a lot from horse to horse, and horses that do not eat enough salt on their own may need it added to their feed [1]. What matters most is your horse's own baseline. A horse that normally drains two buckets and suddenly leaves them full is telling you something. So is a horse that normally sips lightly and suddenly drinks everything in sight. ### Signs Your Horse Is Not Drinking Enough Watch for these clues: - Full or barely touched water buckets, especially if the pattern lasts more than 12 to 24 hours - Dry, tacky gums instead of slick, wet gums - A skin pinch on the neck or shoulder that stays tented instead of snapping back - Darker, stronger-smelling urine or less urine in the stall - Fewer or drier manure piles - Dull attitude, poor performance, or a horse that seems "off" A dehydrated horse can develop kidney injury, and traditional kidney blood markers often rise late in the process [3]. That is one reason veterinarians take reduced drinking seriously even when the horse looks mostly normal. ## Why Is My Horse Not Drinking Water? Main Causes There are many reasons a horse stops drinking, and they range from harmless to life threatening. The table below groups the most common ones. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Water taste or temperature change | Refusal started after a new bucket, new hose, or a freeze | Low, fixable at home | | Stress, travel, or new environment | Refusal started after a trailer ride, show, or move | Low to moderate | | Diet change, especially dry hay or high grain | Harder, drier manure, less water intake | Moderate | | Pain or colic | Pawing, rolling, flank watching, no manure, not eating | Emergency | | Fever or infection | High temperature, dull attitude, not eating | Same day | | Dehydration from sweating, heat, or exercise | Heavy sweat, fast breathing, poor skin pinch | Same day to emergency | | Dental or mouth pain | Dropping feed, quidding, drooling, weight loss | Same day | | Kidney disease | Drinking more or less than normal, weight loss, poor coat | Same day | | Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) | Abnormal drinking and urination, long coat, laminitis history | Routine to same day | | Liver disease | Poor appetite, weight loss, jaundice, colic signs, swelling | Same day | | Psychogenic polydipsia | Drinks large amounts for behavioral reasons, then urinates a lot | Routine visit | Some of these causes actually make a horse drink too much instead of too little. Polyuria and polydipsia (excessive urination and drinking) are uncommon but serious in horses, and the most common causes include chronic kidney disease, pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, and psychogenic polydipsia with secondary polyuria [4]. A horse with one of these conditions may swing between drinking heavily and drinking poorly as the disease progresses. Liver disease is another example. Clinical signs of liver disease in horses are often vague and easy to miss early on, and they can include poor appetite, weight loss, changes in demeanor, colic signs, jaundice, diarrhea, swelling, and increased drinking [5]. If your horse is not eating but drinking water, that combination can point toward liver or dental problems, and it deserves a veterinary exam. If you are comparing symptoms across species, our guide to a [dog not drinking water](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/dog-not-drinking-water-causes) covers similar logic for dogs, though horses have their own normal ranges. ### Colic and Other Emergencies Colic is the big worry when a horse stops drinking. A horse in pain often stops eating and drinking at the same time. If your horse is not eating but drinking water, that is usually less alarming than a horse that refuses both, but it still needs attention. Dehydration itself can cause or worsen kidney injury, and dehydration from many diseases can lead to acute kidney injury in horses [3]. A horse that has been sweating heavily, has diarrhea, or has been sick for a day or more is at higher risk. ## Red Flags That Mean Call Now Call your veterinarian immediately if you see any of these: - Pawing, rolling, looking at the flank, or lying down more than usual - No manure for 12 hours or more - A skin pinch that stays tented - Tacky or dry gums, or gums that are pale, blue, or bright red - A rectal temperature above 101.5°F in an adult horse - Staggering, head pressing, or confusion - Muscle twitching, weakness, or a horse that will not stand - Not drinking for more than 24 hours with no clear reason - Any sign of colic combined with not drinking These signs can move fast in horses. Waiting a few hours can turn a treatable problem into a surgical one. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While you wait for your veterinarian, or if your horse seems mildly off, try these steps. ### Refresh the Water Dump and refill buckets with clean, fresh water. Some horses refuse water that smells like a new plastic bucket, a dirty trough, or a hose that has been sitting in the sun. Offer water in more than one container and in more than one spot. ### Warm It Up in Cold Weather Horses drink less when water is ice cold. Offering water at a comfortable temperature, roughly 45 to 65°F, often gets a reluctant horse drinking again. This is one of the most common fixes in winter. ### Soak the Feed Soaked hay cubes, beet pulp, and mashes add water to the diet. A horse that will not drink from a bucket may still eat a wet mash. This is a safe way to get fluid in without forcing anything. ### Offer Salt Salt drives thirst. Loose salt is easier to measure than a block, and salt intake is not affected by whether it is offered as a block or loose salt [1]. If your horse does not eat enough salt on its own, your veterinarian may recommend adding a measured amount to the daily feed [1]. Do not guess at a dose. Ask your veterinarian how much salt is right for your horse's size, diet, and workload. ### Encourage Movement and Turnout Mild exercise and turnout often stimulate drinking and gut motility. Hand walking is safer than free galloping if your horse seems uncomfortable. If your horse is showing colic signs, do not exercise. Call the veterinarian first. ### Watch Closely Check water intake by measuring what you put in and what is left. Check manure output, urine output, gum color, and skin pinch every few hours. Write down what you see so you can give your veterinarian a clear timeline. If you are also managing a dog with appetite or drinking changes, our articles on a [dog not eating but drinking water](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-not-eating-but-drinking-water) and a [dog drinking too much water](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-drinking-so-much-water) explain how those signs are sorted out in dogs. ## What Your Veterinarian Will Check Your veterinarian will start with a physical exam. They will check gum color and moisture, capillary refill time, skin pinch, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, gut sounds, and manure in the stall. They will also ask about recent travel, feed changes, weather, workload, and how long the problem has lasted. ### Blood Work and Urinalysis Blood work usually includes kidney values, electrolytes, and total protein. Dehydration can raise certain markers, and newer markers like symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are being studied to detect kidney injury earlier in dehydrated horses [3]. Your veterinarian may also run a urinalysis to check how well the kidneys are concentrating urine. ### Additional Testing If the history and initial results point to a specific cause, your veterinarian may recommend more tests. Additional testing is guided by history, other clinical signs, and the results of blood work or urinalysis [4]. For example, a horse with a long coat and laminitis history may be tested for PPID, while a horse with weight loss and jaundice may be checked for liver disease [5]. ### Treatment Treatment depends on the cause. Mild dehydration may be managed with oral fluids and soaked feed. Moderate to severe dehydration often needs intravenous fluids, which only a veterinarian can give. Pain control, dental work, diet changes, or medication for an underlying disease may also be part of the plan. Your veterinarian will calculate any medication dose from your horse's weight and health. ## Prevention and Daily Monitoring The best prevention is knowing your horse's normal habits. - Measure water intake for a few days so you know your horse's baseline. - Clean buckets and troughs often, especially in summer. - Offer water at a comfortable temperature in winter. - Provide loose salt or a salt block, and ask your veterinarian whether your horse needs salt added to feed [1]. - Soak hay or add mashes during cold snaps and travel. - Watch manure output daily. Fewer piles is an early warning. - Check gums and skin pinch during hot weather or after hard work. - Keep a written log during any illness so you can spot trends. Horses that do not voluntarily consume enough salt to meet their needs should be supplemented with their daily feed ration, and both salt and water intake vary a lot from horse to horse [1]. That is why a one-size-fits-all rule does not work. Your horse's own pattern is the best guide. ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific horse. Only a veterinarian who examines your horse can do that. Call now, as an emergency, if your horse is showing colic signs, has no manure, has dry or discolored gums, is staggering, or has been down and unable to rise. Call the same day if your horse has not drunk for 24 hours, has a fever, is not eating, or has diarrhea. Schedule a routine visit if the change is mild but has lasted more than a day or two, or if you have noticed a long-term shift in drinking or urination. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How long can a horse go without drinking water? A horse can survive only a short time without water, and serious problems can start within a day. Most healthy horses drink multiple times per day, so a full 24 hours with no intake is a reason to call your veterinarian. Do not wait to see if it resolves on its own. ### Why is my horse not drinking but still eating? A horse that eats but refuses water may dislike the water's taste or temperature, or may be getting enough moisture from wet pasture or soaked feed. It can also be an early sign of pain or illness. If the behavior lasts more than a day, have your veterinarian check your horse. ### Can cold weather stop a horse from drinking? Yes. Horses often drink less when water is very cold, which is a common cause of winter dehydration and colic. Offering water at a comfortable temperature, around 45 to 65°F, often solves the problem. Soaked feed and loose salt can help too. ### Does adding salt make a horse drink more? Salt drives thirst, and horses that do not eat enough salt on their own may need it added to their feed. Salt intake is not affected by whether it is offered as a block or loose salt, so either form can work. Ask your veterinarian how much to add for your horse. ### What if my horse is not eating but drinking water? That pattern often points to dental pain, stomach upset, or liver disease, since liver problems can cause poor appetite along with other vague signs. It is less likely to be simple colic, which usually stops both eating and drinking. Have your veterinarian examine your horse to sort out the cause. ## Related Articles - [Dog Not Drinking Water: Causes and How to Encourage Hydration](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/dog-not-drinking-water-causes) - [Dog Not Eating but Drinking Water: What to Do](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/vet-visit-decisions/dog-not-eating-but-drinking-water) - [Why Is My Dog Drinking So Much Water?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-drinking-so-much-water) - [Dog Not Drinking Water: Home Care and When to Worry](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/digestive-and-urinary-care/dog-not-drinking-water-home-care) - [Dog Vomiting Bile Not Drinking Water](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/dog-vomiting-bile-not-drinking-water) - [Why Is My Dog Not Eating?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-not-eating) ## References 1. [The effect of form on equine salt intake](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42082008/). Journal of equine veterinary science, 2026. 2. [The Urinary System of Horses - Horse Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders-of-horses/the-urinary-system-of-horses). Merck Veterinary Manual. 3. [Symmetric dimethylarginine and renal function analysis in horses with dehydration](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34110650/). Equine veterinary journal, 2021. 4. [Polyuria and Polydipsia in Horses](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35282965/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice, 2022. 5. [Clinical Signs of Liver Disease in Horses](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42276884/). The Veterinary clinics of North America. Equine practice, 2026. ## Further Reading - [American Veterinary Medical Association: First Aid Tips for Pet Owners](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/emergencycare/first-aid-tips-pet-owners) - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Horse Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners)