How to Keep Your Horse’s Water Tank Clean

During the hot summer months it is important for your horse to have unlimited access to fresh, clean water. A horse needs to drink between 10 to 20 gallons of water a day to stay healthy. To ensure your horse is drinking enough water, it is important to make sure there is a clean water source. Dirty warm water is as appealing to your horse as it would be to you. Below are some easy steps you can take to make sure your horse finds their water sources appealing.

8 quick tips to keep your horse’s water tank clean

1. Check tanks daily to monitor the water level and water quality. If you have an automatic waterer, it is important to clean the bowl of any debris and check to make sure it is filling properly.
2. If your tank is large and/or you only have one or two horses that drink from it, they may not drink it down enough for you to empty and clean it every few days. If this is the case, only fill the tank with enough water for a two- to three-day supply so you are able to empty and scrub the tank every few days.
3. Use a hose to create a siphon to drain the tank down a hill or to a location away from the front of the tank. This prevents stagnant water from collecting around the base of the tank if the drainage in that area is not good.
4. Purchase a skimmer similar to what you use to remove bugs and leaves from a pool. This will allow you to skim any debris, insects, grass and algae from the tank daily.
5. If you are looking for a solution to use when scrubbing the tank, try natural apple cider vinegar. Avoid using diluted bleach.
6. A good stiff scrub brush and elbow grease can get a tank good and clean, but if you have access to a pressure washer use it every few cleanings.
7. If you have a dog that likes to swim in the tank, try to give them an alternative swimming pool to play in. Dogs jumping in and out of the tank can deposit dirt and debris.
8. Empty water buckets for stalled horses daily and give them a quick scrub. If your horse likes to dip hay or feed in their water buckets, provide two for them in the stall so they have one for dipping and one for drinking.

Dehydration can lead to many health issues. Don’t let a dirty water tank stop your horse from drinking.