United States Eventing Association

Keeping a horse properly hydrated sounds simple—just provide clean, fresh water and let them drink. But in the real world, it’s not always that easy. Horses often drink less when they’re traveling, adjusting to a new environment, dealing with heat or cold, or recovering from illness. And when water intake drops, problems can follow.

Dehydration in horses isn’t just about thirst. It can affect digestion, slow recovery, and increase the risk of issues like colic. That’s why hydration isn’t just about having water available—it’s about making sure horses actually drink enough of it.

Gallagher’s Water was developed with that idea in mind: getting water into the horse. It’s the first of its kind equine hydration beverage.

Water First, Then Everything Else

Electrolytes are often part of the hydration conversation, and for good reason. They help the body maintain fluid balance and replace what’s lost through exertion. But electrolytes can only do their job if the horse is drinking.

Without enough water, electrolytes don’t move through the system the way they should. In some cases, they can even sit unused. That’s why increasing water intake is the first and most important step in supporting hydration.

Gallagher’s Water addresses that step directly. By making water more appealing, it helps horses drink more—so everything else can work the way it’s supposed to. Including the electrolytes.

What Makes It Different

Horses can be particular about taste. Anyone who has tried to get a horse to drink unfamiliar water while traveling has seen this firsthand. Some flavored options exist, but not all of them lead to consistent drinking. In some cases, they can even discourage it.

Gallagher’s Water takes a different approach by using flavors horses already recognize and accept – like alfalfa. The goal isn’t to overwhelm the horse with flavor, but to create something palatable enough that they continue to drink without hesitation.

That consistency matters. A horse that drinks once is helpful. A horse that keeps coming back to the bucket is where real hydration happens.

What the Research Shows

Research from Louisiana State University looked at how horses responded to a flavored water additive compared to plain water. Over the course of the study, horses given Gallagher’s Water drank significantly more—roughly 40-65 percent more over a three-day period. Along with that increase, researchers saw signs of improved hydration based on common lab markers.

In practical terms, that means the added water intake wasn’t just incidental. It translated into measurable differences in how hydrated the horses actually were.

A separate study from Colorado State University focused on preference and drinking behavior. Horses were given options, including plain water and “sweet tea” mixtures. The horses overwhelmingly preferred the water with Gallagher’s Water and consistently chose it over the other options offered for the duration of the study.

That kind of response is important, especially in situations where encouraging water intake quickly can make a difference.

Not Just for Special Occasions - Perfect of Everyday Use

Most horse owners aren’t thinking about hydration in a lab setting—they’re thinking about it in a trailer, at a show, or in the middle of a hot summer or cold winter. Those are the times when horses are most likely to back off their water and when hydration is critical.

By encouraging horses to drink more in those situations, Gallagher’s Water helps support normal digestion, recovery, and overall well-being. It doesn’t replace good management or access to clean water, but it can make a noticeable difference in how much water a horse actually consumes.

A Simple Idea That Works

At its core, the concept behind Gallagher’s Water is straightforward: horses need water, and sometimes they need a reason to drink more of it.

By improving taste and supporting hydration at the same time, it helps bridge the gap between having water available and making sure it’s actually consumed. Most horses consider Gallagher’s Water a treat and eagerly accept it, which makes it easier for horse owners: there’s no fighting, guessing or stressing.

Because in the end, the goal isn’t just to offer water—it’s to make sure the horse drinks it.