ABSTRACT
DRINKING PROCESSANDWATER REQUIREMENT Horses are suction drinkers. To take in water, they tightly close the upper and lower lips and only leave a small opening. When exercising suction, they thereby establish negative pressure. Due to the resulting vacuum, water can be swallowed in long swigs. During water intake, horses hold their head in a horizontal position relative to their downward stretched neck. Even domesticated horses frequently interrupt water intake in order to observe the environment. Prior to drinking and on their way to the water source, many horses will already exhibit tongue and chewing movements. Following drinking, most horses exhibit further chewing movements and will drip some water from their mouths.
