What Normal Horse Urine Looks Like | Color, Smell, and When to Call Your Vet
Horse Hydration Guide

What Normal Horse Urine Looks Like

Horse urine can tell you a lot — hydration, diet, exercise level, and sometimes early hints of discomfort. This guide helps riders understand what’s normal, what’s not, and when a color change deserves attention.

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Normal Horse Urine Color: What You Should Expect

Horse urine naturally varies throughout the day. As long as your horse is drinking well and acting normal, these color ranges are usually fine.

Pale Yellow

Usually a sign of good hydration. Common after drinking or light work.

Bright Yellow

Normal if your horse hasn’t had water recently or has eaten salt or alfalfa.

Golden / Dark Yellow

Still normal — especially in the morning or after exercise. Horses concentrate urine when conserving water.

Horses naturally make cloudy or foamy urine due to calcium carbonate. Cloudiness alone is not a red flag.

Common Causes of Normal Color Changes

  • Hydration levels (especially in winter)
  • Salt intake or electrolytes
  • Alfalfa-heavy diets
  • Exercise and sweating
  • Weather swings
  • Turnout vs stall time

When To Call Your Veterinarian

While color alone doesn’t diagnose a problem, these patterns mean it’s time for veterinary guidance:

  • Red or brown urine that doesn’t resolve quickly
  • Pain, kicking, or looking at the belly while urinating
  • Fever or lethargy paired with color changes
  • Not drinking well, especially in cold weather
Relates to your horse. Hydration, movement, and comfort all show up in how the body eliminates waste. Keep your horse comfortable and moving freely year-round.
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Normal Horse Urine FAQs

Is cloudy horse urine normal

Yes. Horses naturally excrete calcium carbonate, which makes urine cloudy or milky-looking.

What color is healthy horse urine

Light to dark yellow is normal, depending on hydration, diet, and time of day.

Why is my horse’s urine darker in the morning

Overnight, horses concentrate urine while conserving water. This is normal unless paired with other symptoms.

What if the urine looks red or brown

This can be pigment from plants, but can also indicate blood or muscle breakdown. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

Does Draw It Out® affect urine color

No. Draw It Out® does not alter urine color or kidney function.

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