Supervisory veterinarians in the Mikkeli region are encountering a widespread issue among horse owners regarding the provision of drinking water. According to animal welfare laws, horses must always have access to liquid water, especially where they spend the most time, such as stables. However, many owners still neglect this requirement, often citing temporary circumstances like frozen water during colder months as the primary reason for the lack of water availability.

The new regulations stipulate that horses cannot be without fresh water for more than six hours, with a five-year window for stables to adapt to these changes. This concern is so prevalent that supervisory veterinarians make it a point to check for water availability in each of their inspection visits, estimating that around half of the stables they visit are not in compliance with the law. The veterinarians highlight that the issue of water unavailability is common, especially during freezing temperatures.

Additionally, heated drinking troughs, which could alleviate some of these problems, remain a rarity in the area. The persistent lack of compliance indicates a need for greater awareness among horse owners regarding animal welfare laws and the health implications of inadequate water supply. The supervisors are advocating not only for regulatory compliance but also for a cultural shift in how horse care is approached, grounded in modern understanding rather than outdated beliefs about horse care practices.