In the horse, as in humans, the urinary bladder stores urine until it is full. When a certain level of fullness is perceived, the horse assumes a urinating posture to void the bladder in one constant controlled stream of urine. Horses with urinary incontinence may constantly dribble urine or may frequently posture to urinate but only produce small squirts of urine.

Urinary incontinence in adult horses is a condition that owners can find very difficult to manage. Urine scalding of the hind limbs by urine constantly dribbling out often makes these horses impossible to keep without a massive commitment to nursing care and veterinary management. Finding the exact cause of the dysfunction can be difficult and frustrating.