Winterizing Your Barn and Horses

The temperatures are beginning to drop, telling us winter will soon be here. Start now to prepare for harsh weather by making sure your barn and horses will be ready when it hits.

Start with the barn by making sure there are no leaks or rust in the roof and windows. Make sure doors can be closed tightly to keep out strong winds but be sure windows can be easily opened and closed to provide proper ventilation if the horses have to stay in their stalls. Wrap and/or insulate pipes, spouts, and faucets to prevent water from freezing. Have a tool, like a hammer, that is easy to get to when checking water troughs and breaking ice. If your horses are outside all the time, provide them with an area to get out of the bad conditions, like a run-in shed. Stock up on feed and hay. Hay supplies could run out or prices may increase and bad driving conditions could prevent you from getting to the feed store. Clean the barn and get rid of cobwebs, dust, and other debris that could be a potential fire hazard. Check fences and gates to ensure they are in proper working order.

Be sure your horses are up-to-date on their fall shots to help prevent respiratory issues during the winter. Getting your horse to drink an adequate amount of water during the winter is a challenge. Encourage them to drink by providing warm water. Giving them salt or electrolytes can also help. When deciding whether or not to put a blanket on your horse it's better to wait for them to get a thick coat before putting a blanket on. Putting a blanket on too early will discourage hair from growing. If you keep your horses on pasture and there is bad weather, provide them with good quality, free-choice hay to help keep them warm. When they eat hay their digestive system works slower and generates a lot of heat keeping them warmer than if they were eating grain with limited access to hay. If your horses have to be locked in their stalls for an extended period of time, be sure to provide plenty of fresh air. If the footing allows, turn them out when you're picking their stalls to allow them to stretch their legs.

Don't forget about your farm equipment. Inspect hydraulic, fuel, and electrical systems on all equipment, along with the ignition, brakes, exhaust, heater, defroster, and windshield wipers. Make sure there is enough anti-freeze in the system. Have proper fuel additives for diesel tractors for when the temperatures get below zero. Try to always keep fuel tanks full. If you have a generator, check to make sure that is in working order. If your electricity does go out and you do not have a generator, keep some water stored in the barn so it doesn't freeze to ensure you can still get water to the horses.

If you have any more questions about how to winterize your barn and horse, contact your local Extension Agent.