🐴 Excessive Water Consumption in Horses: What It Means in 2025 🚰🔍

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

If your horse is flooding their stall or standing at the water trough more than usual, it's time to pay attention. In 2025, we know that excessive drinking (polydipsia) can signal a variety of medical or behavioral issues. Some are benign—others, more serious. Let’s explore what’s normal, what’s not, and when to call your vet. 🧠🐎

💧 What’s Considered “Excessive” Drinking?

According to Dr. Emily Barnett from the University of Minnesota:

• 💦 A healthy 1,100 lb horse drinks about 13 gallons per day
• 🚽 They produce around 3–4 gallons of urine daily

Horses considered excessive drinkers will often consume double that amount—or more. That’s >25–30 gallons per day in some cases! 🔢

🔍 1. Psychogenic Polydipsia (Habitual Drinking)

This is a non-medical cause of excessive drinking. Your horse isn’t sick—they just drink more due to behavioral factors such as:

• 📦 Boredom or stall confinement
• 🧠 Stress from social isolation or travel
• 🥣 High-fiber or dry feed without enough moisture

Often seen in stalled horses, especially those under minimal turnout, this is more of a management issue than a medical one. ✅

🧓 2. Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID)

In older horses, Cushing’s (Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction) is a common reason for increased water intake. Signs include:

• 🧪 Increased drinking and urination
• 🐎 Long, shaggy coat (hirsutism)
• 📉 Weight loss or muscle wasting

💡 30% of horses with Cushing’s drink excessively. Blood tests can confirm diagnosis and medication can control symptoms. 🩺

🩸 3. Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney dysfunction may also cause increased drinking, though to a lesser degree than other conditions. Often, this goes unnoticed until advanced stages. 🧪

Warning signs: weight loss, lethargy, poor appetite, changes in urination, or foul-smelling urine. 🚨

🧬 4. Diabetes

While diabetes is common in dogs and cats, it is rare in horses. However, glucose metabolism issues can still occur and may cause:

• 💦 Polydipsia (increased drinking)
• 🚽 Polyuria (increased urination)

Routine bloodwork will help rule out this uncommon condition. 🔬

🍽️ 5. Diet, Salt, and Medications

Other causes of excess drinking include:

• 🧂 High salt diets (or licking too much salt block)
• 💊 NSAIDs like Bute or Banamine, which can affect kidney function
• 💊 Corticosteroids, which increase thirst as a side effect

Always monitor water intake when introducing new medications or supplements. 🧪

⚠️ What You Might Notice

• 🚽 Flooded stalls
• 📉 Rapidly emptying water troughs or buckets
• 🕵️ Constant time spent at the water source

If any of these occur consistently, it's time to investigate. 🩺

📲 Ask A Vet for Diagnosis & Testing

Concerned about your horse’s drinking habits? Visit AskAVet.com or use the Ask A Vet App to schedule a medical review and get urine and blood testing recommendations. 📱🐴

Dr Duncan Houston and the team can help determine if it’s behavior, diet, or disease—so you can respond confidently. 💬🧠

🏁 Final Thoughts

In 2025, excessive water consumption in horses is a red flag worth checking out. From Cushing’s to stress-related habits, many causes are manageable with the right diagnosis. Monitor, measure, and ask your vet if your horse’s thirst seems unusual. 🐴💧

Need a hydration tracker or symptom checklist? Visit AskAVet.com to download tools today 🧪🐎