Teach your horse to drink from the same bucket at home, on the trail, and in camp.

Horses can easily get dehydrated on the trail if they aren't accustomed to drinking from the same bucket from home. Whatever drinking bucket your horse is accustomed to at home, he’ll use willingly on the trail. Teach him to drink from the same water bucket whether he’s at home, on the road, or on a trail/camping trip. Here’s how.

Step 1: Invest in an easy-to-carry, lightweight bucket, such as a folding model used by backpackers (www.backpackingoutdoorgear.com).  

Step 2: Go on a brief ride on home trails, then cool out your horse, and lead him to water in the bucket. Stay with him for safety; the bucket likely won’t be safety-approved to leave in his stall.

Step 3: Repeat the bucket introduction several times before packing the bucket with you on the trail. Once your horse likes and knows the bucket is his, he’ll recognize it when you’re far from home.