How to Check & See If Water Is Safe for Horses to Drink

Clean, safe water must be provided to horses on a daily basis. The average horse requires 10 gallons of water a day to remain healthy, and this amount can double or triple on hot, humid days. A horse's daily water consumption affects his temperature, food digestion, balance of fluids, tolerance of weather and overall health. City water should be given whenever possible. Water from natural sources can contain harmful bacteria, chemicals and contaminants. Prior to drinking, the water should be checked for toxicity, cleanliness and disease.

Things You'll Need

  • Water testing kit
  • Bleach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Smell the water to see if there are any unusual odors. You can reasonably rely on your own senses to determine if drinking water is safe. If the water smells bad, has an unusual appearance or texture, do not allow your horse to drink it until it has been checked by a laboratory.

    • 2

      Go to the source. Find out where the water is coming from. If it originates from a municipal water source, it is safe. Municipal water serving 25 or more people must comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water act. If you are giving your horse city water, it is considered safe and no further testing is required.

    • 3

      Obtain a water sample test kit from your local extension service or county health office. Alternatively, you can order one from the Internet (see resources). Make sure that the test kit is designed to test water for organic chemicals, biological contaminants and total dissolved solids that can be harmful to horses.

    • 4

      Collect water samples and send to the testing facility as instructed by the testing kit.

    • 5

      Examine the results of the test for biological contaminants. For instance, elevated coliform counts indicate that the water is likely contaminated with waste, soil, or decayed plant matter and probably includes other harmful bacteria. Look for indications that the water is contaminated with organic chemicals such as pesticides, fertilizer, solvents, and industrial waste. Organic chemicals can contaminate water as a result of spills, misuse and illegal dumping. These chemicals can be harmful to horses.

    • 6

      Check the level of Total Dissolved Solids concentration, which measures the amount of organic materials and inorganic metals. High levels of TDS may not necessarily indicate a problem with the water; however, the water should be tested further to identify the specific contaminant. Water with high levels of TDS can contain calcium, magnesium, nitrate, nitrite, iron sulfate, copper, and lead. Depending on the levels, these materials can cause serious health problems in horses.