Horse care during the cold months
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EmailAs the seasons change, here are some tips to provide comfort to our four-legged pony pals!
Weather in Michigan is wonderful during the fall months. However, when the switch flips on winter and we hit chilly temperatures, keep these horse care tips in mind!
There are some priorities we must always remember; our horses need proper nutrition, space to move during free exercise or training, and adequate housing. The Horse Industry Handbook by The American Youth Horse Council outlines basic wellness needs of your horse.
Wintertime watering
Horses need a lot of clean drinking water, even in colder temperatures. During the warmer season, horses (as well as other grazing livestock) receive much of their hydration from grass. However, with colder weather mostly preventing grazing, horses will consume more of their water from troughs and buckets. Be sure water sources remain free of ice. Ways to do this include the old-fashioned method of chipping ice, using heated water buckets or equipping your troughs with a water heater. When using heaters or heated buckets, be sure all electrical cords are safely installed and out of reach of the animals.
How about the hay?
People often think that horses should have as much hay as they want all winter long. That is not necessarily the case for all horses. Horses need hay that matches their nutrient needs, based on the amount of work they are performing, their age and the stage of life they are in. It is important to remember that horses need to eat forage to keep their digestive system working the way it should. Remember: as a horse eats and digests forage, it helps to keep the body warm. If you need help buying horse hay for the winter, be sure to check out the Buying Horse Hay bulletin for more tips!
To blanket or not to blanket?
There are several things to consider when deciding whether or not to blanket your horse this winter. Perhaps the most important considerations are your horse’s job and activity level. Are you planning to show all winter long? If you are hitting the highways this winter with your horse, you are likely concerned about maintaining a summer-like hair coat. If this is the case, then you are a perfect candidate for a blanketing regimen or even a heated barn. However, do not forget about ventilation in your barn. A barn that is lacking in ventilation, like those completely closed or heated for winter, can create a buildup of ammonia from the soiled stalls. Research shows that ammonia buildup that reaches levels high enough for us to smell can be strong enough to permanently damage horses’ lungs.
If you are not too concerned with keeping your horse’s show coat all year-round, consider lightweight, waterproof blankets on wet days. Sending your horse out into the elements with a touch of protection can keep them dry while still allowing them to grow a nice thick coat to keep them warm. Ensure your horse’s blanket stays dry. Think about having two blankets that you can rotate, or at least remove the wet blanket until it is dry. Remember, a dry horse is a happy horse! Check out your nearest tack store to browse their selection of waterproof horse wear. Also, check out this “Blanketing horses requires additional management” article from Michigan State University Extension for more information.
