Simple Winter Tips for Your Horse

It’s that time of the year again. Where the weather man’s report for the next two to three months is consisted of gray clouds, chances of snow, single-digit temperatures, and northern winds that could even make Frosty shiver. With this, people are starting to enjoy the indoors where the hot cocoa, a warm fireplace, and fuzzy slippers are at their disposal.

But for us horse owners, we know it is not only us humans who need to be prepared for winter. Our horses as well need to be ready for the cold freeze. But simple management is the key to getting your “four-legged” loved ones ready.

FEED
Like us, horses have their needs of living. Their needs consist of three main components: Feed, Water, and Shelter. With temperatures falling dramatically, it is always best to make sure your horses is warm.

One of the best ways to keep your horses warm is to give them more hay. Extra consumption of hay is used as fat or insulation during the cold days of winter. The amount of hay given to an average horse is 2% of his body weight. During winter time, the amount should be increased 5-15%, but if hay is scarce in your area; you can give your horse whole oats in its feed rather than giving extra hay. Whole oats help produce body heat when digested. If oats won’t do, then high fibered feeds like cubed-hay could work.

WATER
Water is practically essential to all life. Horses drink an approximate amount of 5-10 gallons of water per day during the winter. But some horses refuse to drink extremely cold water during the winter months. Less water and more forage intake is the common road to severe cases of colic. With that being said, it is best to make sure your horse has plenty of warm water nearby. Using a de-icer element for your water tanks will keep the water in a comfortable temperature during the day and will also keep it from freezing during the night. Check the level of water in the tanks each day to make sure your horse is drinking plenty. If you have access, for horses that are put up in stalls; run water from a warm water faucet rather than cold water. The more access to water, the less chance of dehydration or colic for your horse.

SHELTER
Shelter is a main factor for keeping your horse warm. Though it is true that a horse produces a fairly good winter coat for the occasion, it is rather difficult to keep body heat in when there is wind, rain, and snow. Wind can remove body heat that is trapped in the long fur and can make the horse lose his warmth.

A blanket can be useful for this predicament. Depending on the common winter weather your area gets, depends on the heaviness or warmth of the blanket. If your pastures are open and have no windbreakers like trees or a barn wall, and if your area becomes more wet than usual; then it is advised to give him a blanket that is wind protected, waterproof, and of the heaviest material. But horses do have an impeccable way of tearing the blanket, so check your blanket supply and make sure that the blankets are not worn with holes. Unless there is a strong wind and your horse has no other protection like a windbreaker or blanket; then it is an option to put your horse in a stall.

If the number of stalls for your horses is limited, then a run-in shed is required. A three-wall building with a slated roof is most common. With this kind of windbreaker, the horse has a way to be removed from the inclement weather. A good 4-6 inches of bedding can also be placed on the shed floor. Make sure there is a way to drain any water out of the shed, and check every day to make sure the bedding is comfortable and clean out old manure and bedding if necessary. If you have more than one horse living in a pasture; it is best to make sure the shed is large enough for them all.

If all else fails, and putting your horse in a stall is the only option left; make sure you clean it out and put a good amount of bedding in there. Make sure there are no nails sticking out of the wood and there is not any loose boards where the horse could get his legs torn or stuck.

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
There are many other things to consider when protecting your horse during the winter. If your horse will not be ridden during the winter period; it is then best to trim their hooves now and periodically through the winter. Also, leave them barefooted as shoes will cause them to slip if snow is on the ground.

With the winter here, it would be good for to schedule your local to float your horses’ teeth as sharp molars could cause injuries when chewing winter forage.

Keep an eye out for any injuries on your horses, as injuries could cause infection or even Tetanus as this is a perfect climate for the microorganisms of Clostridium tetani.

REMEMBER
Keeping your horse warm from the winter elements is essential. Giving plenty of hay, keeping the water warm near all times, having access to a sturdy shelter or windbreaker, and a winter blanket to protect from the rain, or snow. By doing this and the other common chores of hoof trimming, floating, and doctoring injuries; you can guarantee your horses that they will be comfortable and warm throughout the whole winter and can look forward in the near future.

This article was revised from University of Tennessee-Extension Animal Science Horse Information Series, Is Your Horse Ready for Winter by Dr. Fredrick Harper http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/Horse/pdf/winterea.pdf
And, University of Tennessee-Extension Animal Science Horse Information Series, Managing Your Horse in “Cold” Weather by Dr. Fredrick Harper http://animalscience.ag.utk.edu/Horse/pdf/ColdWeatherHorseMgtHIS125_3-5-03.pdf