Winter can be tough on horses and their owners. Feeding can be challenging as well as the cold and snow can cause horses to become unfit, so we need to understand Winter Care Tips for Horses and Ponies.
Stable care may be more difficult and riding becomes almost impossible based on the snow’s depth and temperatures. Here are some tips to make the life of your horse and you in winter’s cold and chilly winter months.
As winter is fast approaching make sure you are prepared to take care of your horse through the cold winter months. Winter caring for your horse can be difficult especially if you’re not prepared to take take care of your horse.
Winter Care Tips for Horses
Horses require more attention when it’s cold and, if you’re prepared to take care of your horse, it will be much more comfortable. Find this article out more about how you can become better prepared and learn more about our winter horse care methods here at Riverside Farm.
Looking after your horse through the winter months isn’t much more difficult than in other seasons, however there are some issues to be aware of. The dangers of ice, snow and frigid temperatures aren’t unusual during winter, so let’s figure out ways to be better prepared when they do come.
As winter is fast approaching make sure you are prepared to take care of Colic in Horses through the cold winter months
First Phase of Winter Horse Care: How to prepare for cold temperatures
It is crucial to prepare for everything, and it’s the same in this case. Get started now in order to prepare so that you don’t get taken by surprise.
Horse Blankets : If it is necessary to purchase a horse blanket ensure you purchase the correct one based on specific conditions.
- If you intend to keep your horse in stables for the majority of the winter season A stable blanket is the ideal choice.
- If your horse is likely to be outdoors for a portion of the time, pick the appropriate blanket. If it’s cold you should choose a sturdy waterproof, water-proof blanket. If winter temperatures aren’t too cold, a flimsier blanket can be used.
- When your horse goes out in winter and you want to purchase an water-proof blanket. A stable blanket is not going to assist and can make the situation worse in the event that it becomes wet.
Take off the blanket and brush your horse frequently in the winter snowy months. Keep your horse’s lush layer of snow hair great condition When spring arrives you can rest assured that your horse is in excellent overall health!
Food: Your horse will take in more food during winter months, so be sure to feed him more all through winter. In general, the horse consumes 2 percent of its weight in food each day–an average horse of 1,000 pounds can consume 20 pounds of feed but this could increase to three percent (30 pounds.) every day in winter.
The second phase of Winter Horse Care: When Winter Arrives
It’s not freezing cold yet however if you read this article , you’ll be prepared in the event that it does become cold and snowy.
Begin the winter season in the right way by following these six steps each day:
- Give your horse warm water. (45@ to 65@F.)
- Feed more hay during extreme cold.
- Make sure that there is accessibility to shelter.
- Take care of your hoof regularly.
- Examine your horse’s condition frequently.
- Assess the stability of your stable and airflow.
Water During Winter Care Tips for Horses
When you are beginning the colder months, be sure to give your horse hot water throughout the day. Water should have a temperature between 45 between 65 and 45@ F. Examine your water intake all day long to be sure that it doesn’t have ice or have become cold.
Get rid of the ice in the trough of water regularly to make sure your horse gets all the water that it requires.
Food During Winter Care Tips for Horses
As we’ve already mentioned that horses eat more food during winter months. The reason isn’t boredom because the horse eats to keep warm, so be sure your horse is provided with sufficient hay or grass to satisfy its hunger and warm.
For a quick recap of what we mentioned in the past (so to ensure that there is no have to go back) Horses consume generally 2percent of its total weight of food.
For a horse that weighs 1000 pounds, it would consume 20 pounds. of food per day in the summer months throughout the entire year. In winter, however it is possible that the amount of food required can go up to 3 percent for the majority of horses (25-30 pounds. ).
Shelter During Winter Care Tips for Horses
Horses require shelter during colder days, especially when it’s windy, snowy or rainy. If you don’t have a stable where you can keep your horse during these months be sure to have a run-in area or shelter for your horse to use when it is in need of security.
Your horse is likely to want a place to retreat to escape the rain and snow and stay warm and dry.
Blankets During Winter Care Tips for Horses
Alongside a stable or shelter to ensure your horse is warm and comfortable, blankets can also come in handy. Selecting the best blanket is vital; read more about this here.
Pick the best blanket for your situation. The winter horse’s care about ensuring that your horse is provided with the proper conditions to satisfy its needs and flourish in its surroundings.
If your horse will be outside it is recommended to use a blanket for your horse that is waterproof as the use of a stable blanket (which isn’t waterproof) when wet is more detrimental than having no blanket.
If you choose to blanket your horse indoors or outside, make sure you take care of the gorgeous snow coat that your horse is growing.
Take off the blanket and groom your horse on a regular basis. Remove the blanket as often as you can. If it’s a warm sunny day, you can take off the blanket and let your horse to take in the sun.
Be sure to cover a horse who is dry and clean. There are many issues that can arise when a horse is damp and wrapped. Bacteria may begin to multiply and cause problems.
Hoof Care
Maintain a regular care of your hooves for your horse. When your animal is in the field throughout the day, inspect your horse’s hooves multiple times per day to ensure that no snow or ice clumps have been getting accumulated. The clumps can cause serious discomfort and even damage to the hoof of a horse.
Consult your vet if you need to keep your horse shod in the winter months.
Grooming
Keep your horse groomed throughout the winter months. There are four reasons you should groom your horse regularly.
- Improved circulation : grooming your horse on a regular basis can improve your horse’s circulation. Think about receiving massage.
- The removal and disposal of snow, ice and dirt : If snow and mud get the opportunity to move, they could attach to a horse’s coat as they “clump” to form a “clump. The pieces may become hard and cause irritation to the skin and may cause infections. Be extremely careful when removing the pieces, particularly when it’s cold and snowing.
- Warming the horse : Again consider the idea of a massage. When you give your horse an intensive grooming session you can assist in warming your horse up by stimulating circulation properly.
- Everyday interaction with your horse : The grooming of your horse each day will enhance the bond between you and your horse.
3. Springtime: Phase 3,
Spring is not too far away as we’re just beginning the colder seasons during the season. However, the right winter preparation can help make the winter months more enjoyable and improve the health of your horse during the spring.
Change Feeding Programs
Even in areas that aren’t covered by snow, grass often ceases to grow and nutritional quality can decrease.
If the quality of pastures or accessibility decreases, look into increasing the quantity of the amount of hay or concentrated hay. This way the horse will not lose weight in the winter months or be deficient in nutrition.
Supply Water
You don’t want to provide the horse water that is warm however, studies have proven that giving horses water that isn’t freezing will encourage their thirst.
Impaction colic can be a problem in the winter months because horses don’t drink enough and there’s less moisture in hay in comparison to grass. Also, they won’t be able to digest hay and gain the most nutrition from it when they’re not well hydrated even during the cold.
Help Horses Keep Warm
Horses that are kept outdoors need to consume more fodder. Horses generate a lot of heat when they digest. A large amount of hay assists in keeping the horses’ internal furnace burning and helps keep them warm during winter.
Add Minerals
If your feed program doesn’t include mineral horse supplements, you should you might want to consider adding one. Examine your hay and know precisely what minerals and concentrates you require to include in the diet of your horses.
Have teeth examined
Check that your horse’s or ponies’ teeth are cared for by an experienced equine dentist. Inability to properly grind food will hinder a horse from receiving all the energy and nutrients it requires, particularly if its energy requirements are higher during colder weather.
Help to prevent Snowballs
If snow accumulates in the hooves of your horse, try spreading the bottom of your horse’s hooves with petroleum jelly.
Discuss with your farrier discuss the possibility of adding ice calks or snow pads for your horse’s shoes. And do not skip visits to your farrier just because it’s winter and not riding as often.
If You Ride Often
Drying out a horse after a hard workout can be difficult. Think about clipping a thick hair coat. A horse that is clipped, with no natural insulation, would require blanketing and stabling to stay warm.
Do not let your horse on the road in cold temperatures and wet with sweat. It is important to allow time for the horse to dry before letting it go after an excursion.
Install Insulation
Be sure to cover yourself in wet very windy, extremely cold temperatures. A damp coat loses loft — similar to a down jacket that has been wet and will not hold the body’s warmth. Cold weather makes it difficult to feel warm.
Certain horses are more comfortable in extremely cold weather. Some prefer warm winter blankets.
Provide Shelter
Even when you have horses stabled for the night, you should give them an air break or shelter for running particularly in the event that you’re away for a large portion of the time.
Banish Bots
Plan to deworm following when the frosts begin to fall. Botflies are attracted by the latter part of summer, so when you are in late fall or winter, make use of the wormer which contains medications to eliminate the larvae of bots.
Continue to Deworm
Maintain a consistent deworming regimen throughout winter.
Don’t Let Hooves Get Overgrown
Maintain your horse’s hooves kept clipped. A properly clipped hoof will not chip, will hold less snow and give a little more grip on slippery terrain.
Ice and hard ground can cause serious cracking of excessively sized hooves and horses’ grasp on slippery terrains will not be ideal if your horse’s hooves aren’t long enough.
Check Under Blankets
If your pony wears a blanket (or rug) in winter, take it off it regularly and inspect for irritation and chaffing. A daily grooming routine keeps coats in good shape and your horse more relaxed in the event that he is wearing blankets.
If you notice that it’s rubbing or chaffing Try a different blanket or get the blanket modified. A bib designed to go underneath the blanket may aid in stopping the scratching.
Make Cleaning Frozen Water Buckets Easier
Rubber buckets are much easier to get rid of the ice of when they are frozen more than the plastic buckets. Plastic buckets that are used to store water could break when they are frozen.
This can cause a safety risk and cost money to replace the buckets. Rubber buckets might cost more initially, but they last for a longer time.