{"id":1210,"date":"2023-11-23T22:19:00","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T22:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/?p=1210"},"modified":"2023-11-23T22:19:00","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T22:19:00","slug":"why-do-horses-urinate-a-lot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/horseroots.com\/why-do-horses-urinate-a-lot\/","title":{"rendered":"The Real Reason Why Horses Pee So Much: Inside Look at Equine Hydration and Physiology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last weekend, I decided to go trail riding with my horse Jack at the ranch.<\/p>\n

It was one of the first truly warm and sunny spring days, so I was excited to get outside.<\/p>\n

I tacked Jack up and led him out to the pasture, hoping to get a good long ride in.<\/p>\n

However, we barely made it 50 yards before Jack came to an abrupt stop.<\/p>\n

His ears were swiveling back and forth and he had that “look” in his eye.<\/p>\n

Before I knew it, he was lifting his tail and letting loose right then and there in the grass. “Really Jack?”, I thought.<\/p>\n

This horse of mine always seems to have to stop and pee<\/a> at the most inopportune times.<\/p>\n

It got me wondering – why does Jack, and horses in general, seem to have to urinate so frequently?<\/p>\n

Their bladders don’t seem much bigger than a human’s.<\/p>\n

Every time I take Jack out for a ride, it feels like we stop every 10 minutes so he can water the weeds.<\/p>\n

I decided to do some research when I got home to find the real answers.<\/p>\n

As it turns out, there are several physiological, dietary and evolutionary reasons why horses like Jack just can’t hold it for very long.<\/p>\n

Horses drink a bunch because of their panting, size, diet, and evolutionary needs. <\/strong><\/p>\n

No wonder you see that darn Clydesdale stoppin’ every few feet when you’re out on a ride!<\/p>\n

Their entire systems are designed to efficiently process water intake and output throughout the day.<\/p>\n

And the next time Jack stops me for an unplanned tinkle break, I’ll know exactly why he can’t help himself!<\/p>\n

Now that you know horses can’t help their frequent bathroom breaks, let’s saddle up and dive deeper into understanding the primary physiological, dietary and evolutionary drivers behind their need to urinate so regularly:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Table of Contents<\/p>\n