Do Horses and Ponds Mix?

If you’re like me, then you probably have looked out into your horse pasture, pleased to see your grazing equines, your gaze only to be met by the body of blue in your field. You give it a questioning look and wonder,“Is it okay for my horses to be around that stagnant body of water?” 

I have had the same doubts and questions about horses & ponds for a long time. I mean, don’t horses in the wild drink from ponds? So it must be safe for my horse too? Well buckle up, cause this post is about to explore if horses and ponds really do mix!

Pond water as drinking water? 

Most often the reason we put our horses near a pond is for a constant water source. But should horses really drink pond water? According to Horse Canada Magazine, horses can generally tell when a water source isn’t safe to drink. But because of runoff and the fact that ponds are stagnant water sources, if a pond is your horse’s sole water source it might be a good idea to routinely test the water. Equisearch also brings up the fact that a “pond will be the watering site for more than just your horses.” From other horses to wildlife, your horse probably isn’t the only animal drinking from the pond. *My dogs enjoy drinking and swimming in our pond, as do the occasional geese that fly in!* These animals not only leave behind their droppings and urine, but can carry a range of  diseases into the pond. Certain types of algae and algae blooms can also be toxic to horses. These issues would not be as big of a deal in streams and flowing water, but can be a problem in the motionless water of the pond. Blue- green algae or toxic algae blooms disguised as pretty flowers can be dangerous for the horse to ingest and can result in sudden death. When considering if horses should have pond access, we should also consider the environment. 

Preserving the Pond Environment 

Ponds add visual beauty to the landscape and, when filled with fish, can add some fun to a peaceful day. So it’s important that when considering whether to place your horse in a pond field, that you ask if that would be best for the environment of the pond? Consistent traffic in and out of the pond can erode pond banks and track manure and dirt into the pond. Horse manure is a great fertilizer, but does its job too great for ponds. It creates excess nutrients that feed plant and algae growth. Other aquatic plants can be added to the pond to help use up the extra nutrients, however; according to the Michigan State University website, that “if the pond is being fertilized constantly from the horses, these measures will not help.” In other words, excess algae is what comes with allowing horses to enter the pond; a pond should either be managed as a drinking hole or a pond for pleasure, combining both will not work out. 

So My Horses Shouldn’t Have Access to a Pond? 

Not necessarily, but precautions should be taken when allowing your horse to drink from a stagnant pool of water. Frequent water testing or a runoff into a watering tank can be used as an alternative. Overall, it is better to not give your horse long term pond access. The pond should be fenced off, preventing contamination, erosion, and  excess algae growth. *Due to some referencing taken place on the farm, four of my horses are enjoying a short stay in a field with pond access. My horses have been allowed pond excess before and no problems have arisen. When I do keep my horses in a pond field, it’s normally a relatively short stay.*

Do your horses have pond excess? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Tails & Trails, 

Reese