what do wild ponies/animals do for water ?

[lamehorse]

probably a stupid question but i was wondering what wild ponies like dartmoor new forest etc do for water in this weather ? i am sure they are probably looked after but what about other countries that are a bit wilder ? do they eat snow ?

 

[Boxers]

Probably streams - running water - are not frozen over?

 

[Toffee44]

Must do. My OH's cob is just munching his way through it, he was eating the snow off the trough rather than fresh water I poured into it

 

[stencilface]

Streams or must get some moisture from snow and forage.

We normally rely on our field drain to supply our water when the hose freezes, but its not even running atm

 

[Sprout]

Even the running streams do freeze over, but I have watched them, and they are very good and very determined about breaking through the ice.

 

[stencilface]

Our oldie who's out 24/7 has an electric fence 'corral' that he gets fed in. This morning he was so determined for his breakfast (that hadn't been brought out yet) he walked through the fencing! Thankfully its switched off atm

Ours in previous years used to break the trough ice, but think the ring leader has now passed away - current horses are far too lazy

 

[Splish & Masons mum]

We had snow on monday night, none since, and I can see from the footprints that despite me taking a hammer up there every day and removing all the ice, our horses haven't visited either of the troughs in their field (live out 24/7) I can only guess they're getting as much water as they need from the frosty/snowy grass as Mason's wee was a normal colour this morning! the ungrateful buggers have barely even touched the haynets I hung up for them either!
I would guess any wild horses would not be short of water either!