i thought this title would get your attention, lol. Here's my puzzlement. I have a 4yr old mare and a 7 mos old filly. i've had the same large rubber watering tub for months. all of a sudden just in the last week, when i go out to the barn in the mornings, the tub is completely empty well, maybe an inch left of water after filling it full the night before. this has happened a couple of times. Normally, they have drunk about 1/3 of the water. The ground around the tub isnt saturated, the tub hasnt been tipped over,and I've picked the bucket up and looked for a hole, cant find one. Do horses drink more in the colder months? I would think they would drink more in the summer, but i'm new to the horse world and dont know. I'm thinking maybe since they arent able to graze in the field anymore, they are eating more of the mineral block which may make them thirstier? I dont know if that makes sense or not. My husband thinks I should call the vet, but they dont act or look any different. I dont think deer would jump the fence and go in but i dont know about that either. anyway....any ideas of what is going on?

There can be several of reasons for your "drinking problem".

You mention that your horses cannot graze any more. If you switch from grazing to hay that could cause them to drink more water because the moisture content in hay is much lower.

I also have found that grazing keeps them busy - and when they do not graze they just sometimes drink more out of boredom.

And I would not rule out deer or other visitors. Use a rake or broom at night and treat a fairly large area around the water - and check for tracks in the morning. You might be surprised who comes by.

Good luck!

GC

thanks for the info, the past couple of days, the water level was normal, maybe they did have a visitor a couple of nights who knows. it has been raining non stop too, they may be sick of water i know i am!!

Sometimes horses do drink more when its colder. Drinking more water in the colder months will ascually keep their bodies warmer! It's good that you are so observent of this some people I have met wouldnt even think twice about having to fill (or not fill) the water traugh more often then normal. Hope this helps!

steph

You did not mention if the filly is the mares baby? I am guessing NOT, but just in case Mom may have had to drink more water to keep up with growing filly. Im am guessing she is not the Mom, but just in case might be time to wean.
Now, increase in water can signal several health conditions. Have you noticed an increase in the amount of urine produced? Do you know which one is responsible for the increase. The filly may be growing and has increased water intake to keep up with larger amounts of grain and hay and body size. Is the mare in foal? Have you noticed a change in coat, thicker than normal ect? Have other sources of water frozen up? How much water are they drinking?
Do you blanket and is it possible that in the days they may be a little sweaty? Are there changes in the texture of their manure? Do you see a lot of hay in the water, like they were dunking their hay? Could be a large number of things, Good Luck, Jay