Behavior of stabled horses provided continuous or intermittent access to drinking water

Objective-To compare quantitative measures and clinical assessments of beha vior as an indication of psychologic well-being of stabled horses provided drinking water continuously or via 1 of 3 intermittent delivery systems. Animals-22 Quarter Horse (QH) or QH-crossbred mares and 17 Belgian or Belgi an-crossbred mares (study 1) and 24 QH or OH-crossbred mares and 18 Belgian or Belgian-crossbred mares (study 2). Procedure-Stabled horses were provided water continuously or via 1 of 3 int ermittent water delivery systems in 2 study periods during a 2-year period. Continuous 24-hour videotaped samples were used to compare quantitative me asures and clinical assessments of behavior among groups provided water by the various water delivery systems. Results-All horses had clinically normal behavior. Significant differences in well being were not detected among groups provided water by the various delivery systems. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Various continuous and intermittent wate r delivery systems can provide adequately for the psychologic well-being of stabled horses.