Horse glossary
Bucket
A container for water (and sometimes feed).
In Spanish: Balde
What it means
A bucket is a sturdy container, usually plastic or rubber, that holds a horse's water and sometimes its feed. Barns often hang water buckets in each stall with a clip or strap so they don't tip over. Many horses have two water buckets so there is always a backup.
Why it matters
Horses need clean, fresh water at all times, and an average adult horse can drink around 10 gallons (about 38 liters) a day, more in hot weather. An empty, dirty, or frozen bucket can quickly become a health problem.
Example
Tell an adult if the water bucket is empty.
Try this
Check water buckets every time you walk past a stall, and scrub them regularly so algae and old feed don't build up. In cold weather, look for ice and tell an adult if the water is frozen.
Common mistake
A common mistake is topping up a dirty bucket instead of emptying and rinsing it. Some horses drink less when their water tastes or smells stale.
Topics
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