Let's Ride - Preparing Your Horse For Winter

Summer is soon to make its way into fall, and you know what that means: Winter will soon follow. We need to begin planning for the winter months ahead to keep our horses comfortable and healthy during the colder season. Horses are more tolerant of cold weather than they are of hot; however, there are basic management points we can use to make sure our horses winter well. What do horses need to winter well?

Good Body Condition:

Your horse needs to be in good body condition to go through the winter well. Assess the body condition of your horse and evaluate the level of fat it is carrying by touching it along the big muscle groups of its croup, neck, withers, and barrel, measuring the layer of fat by gently pinching the area. A horse in good flesh will feel "meaty" as you pinch; a horse in poorer condition will feel somewhat flaccid. It is important to check body condition each month. The thickness of a winter coat may disguise a cold, stressed horse underneath.

If your horse is a little thin going into the winter months, consider increasing his feed to allow a little extra body fat, which will aid in warding off the cold. The fat layer will insulate against the cold and prevent your horse from becoming stressed, which will cause him to lose weight. Increasing the feed amount during the fall will allow your horse to build up this extra layer by the time winter sets in.

Make sure your horse is up to date on worming. You may want to have your vet do a fecal egg count to make sure your horse is parasite free. Teeth should be floated prior to winter to insure your horse can chew properly.

Winter Coat:

Nature will play her part in getting your horse prepared for the colder months by signaling the growth of its winter coat as the days grow shorter. This thick coat acts as an insulator and a repellent to snow and ice. The long, thick hairs will rise up and trap air, which will be warmed and used as a thermal unit keeping your horse warm. If your horse is primarily kept outside throughout the winter, do not clip his coat anywhere on his body, not even his ears or fetlocks. Keep in mind, however, that if your horse becomes soaked with rain, the insulating ability of his winter coat is lost, as the hairs will be laid flat and he will not be able to generate warmth. Keep him stalled or blanketed on cold, rainy days.

If you keep your horse clipped during the winter, or if it does not grow a thick coat, you will want to keep it blanketed when the temperatures turn cold. Properly sized and fitted blankets should be used to assure your horse will not only be snug and warm, but also protected from injuries that can be sustained from blankets that do not fit correctly.

Water:

Horses do not like to drink ice cold water during the winter, and because of this, impaction colic and dehydration are a big threat. You need to encourage your horse to drink by feeding salt and/or mineralized salt throughout the winter months. Adding a heating element or using heated water buckets to warm the water to a more palatable temperature will aid in getting your horse to drink more. If these are not an option, plan on checking water troughs and buckets a couple of times a day, breaking and removing ice as needed.

Good Quality Hay:

Your horse will maintain its ability to stay warm by eating good quality hay, which is digested in the hind gut and provides fuel for his furnace. Legume hay provides more heat than grass hays. Keep your eye on the weather forecast and feed extra hay when inclement, cold weather approaches. 

Shelter:

Whether it is a pasture run-in shed or a cozy stall in an enclosed barn, your horse requires cover to get out of the elements. If you have a run-in shed, it is important to prevent excess mud from accumulating at the entrance and inside. You may want to investigate bringing in gravel to prevent deep mud pits. A little late summer barn cleaning may be required to get it ready for winter. It is particularly important to have your indoor electrical wiring and circuits checked for any problems. Above-ground water pipes should be insulated against freezing. Air circulation throughout your barn is very important during the winter months, as this is the time for increased respiratory illness in horses. Stalls will need to be regularly cleaned to prevent the build-up of ammonia levels, a key factor in causing respiratory illness.

Hoof Care:

Your horse's feet are susceptible to damage during the cold, wet winter months. Unless you plan on a lot of winter riding, pull your horse's shoes and keep on a regular trimming schedule. Hoof dressings are recommended since they contain water repellent and will aid in keeping his feet dry.

Thrush is very prevalent during the wet winter months. It is very important that you pick and clean your horse's feet daily.