WINTER CARE TIPS

There are many questions regarding what changes to make in your daily routine to help your horse thrive during the cold winter months. With the help of their owners, horses can live in comfort year round with some small modifications. These include feed alterations, water adjustments, supplemental blanketing, mud management, riding changes, and shelter arrangement.

​Feed Alterations:

In the winter months, horses may require more food to maintain their current body condition.  

For the average horse, their daily food consumption should total about 2% of their body weight. This number will fluctuate with each individual horse's needs as well as during different times of the year; however, what will not fluctuate is their need to consume a bulk of their diet in the form of forage. For the average 1,000 lb horse, he/she should consume about  20 pounds daily to meet nutritional needs. In winter months, this same horse could require 25 to 30 lbs of hay per day to maintain body temperature. 

​Horses have the ability to self-regulate their body temperature using the movement of their hair up and down as well as the heat that is provided to them during the fermentation process taking place in the digestive tract. These mechanisms allow them to stay at a comfortable temperature on their own; however, the increased need for heat also means that they are burning more calories.

​Water Adjustments: ​

During the winter many horses decrease their level of water consumption. Owners can help their horses stay healthy and hydrated by encouraging them to drink using several different techniques.  Studies have shown that when horses are offered slightly warmer water vs. the cold, icy water directly from the hose, there is an increased likelihood of them drinking more regularly. This can be accomplished by using a number different bucket or tank heaters, or by adding warm water to their feed twice daily. Several other methods of encouragement include offering free choice mineral blocks or topping a small amount of grain with electrolytes.  It is important to keep your horse hydrated during these cold months because decreased water consumption could lead to impaction colic and an overall decrease in health and wellbeing.

In general, horses with adequate hair, body conditions, with access to shelter do not need supplemental blanketing. However, horses that have been clipped, horses that do not grow a very thick hair coat, those that are older, and those that are thin or sick may need additional warmth and protection.

When using a blanket make sure you are using the appropriate type and size. Blanket size is important to not only make sure it will stay on the horse appropriately but also to make sure it is keeping the horse warm in the way that it is intended to. The type of blanket is important based on what conditions the horse is living. For example, a horse living in a pasture should not have a stable blanket. These blankets are typically not waterproof and if wet, could make the horse colder. 

SmartPak has developed a blanketing app to help owners take the guesswork out of which blanket to put on their horse. You can customize a profile for each of your horses including age, hair coat length, body condition, and shelter availability. The app then makes a blanketing recommendation for your specific horse based on the weather forecast in your area.

Click for more information on the SmartPak Blanketing App.

Mud and Shelter Management:

If horses are turned out in a pasture, it is necessary for them to have some form of shelter to enable them to get away from winter elements and mud. Shelters come in a variety of forms, and the type you use is largely dependent on a specific facility and finances. It is important to ensure shelters have adequate space for the number of animals and their natural hierarchy behavior. 

​Shelters are a great way to allow horses to get out of the mud as well. If a horse is unable to have a break from standing in constant mud, they can develop issues such as fungal and bacterial infections, which will not only be bothersome for them, but will require you to have to spend extra time cleaning the area, as well as figure out a mud free area to house them until the affected wound has been cleared. Daily brushing and washing is a great preventative measure to help avoid issues. ​

​Riding and Care changes:

In the winter we find that many horses are on what seems to be a winter break. Research has shown that this break can drastically increase the amount of time it takes a horse to come back into full working shape in the spring. By keeping horses on a slightly decreased, but consistent work schedule during the winter it will help shorten the time it will take for horses to get back to their normal performance levels. There are however modifications that need to be made to riding schedules during cold winter months. Warming up and cooling down are of even greater importance at this time of year. A good rule of thumb is to spend twice as much time at these aspects of the workout than you do when the weather is warm. Also, make sure your horse is cool and dry before putting them away. ​

​Winter Do's and Do Not's

DO

DO NOT

1. Keep water at a comfortable temperature to encourage drinking. 
2. Supplement horses feed with electrolytes or provide a free choice mineral block. 
3. Feed more food to account for more calories being burned in the self-regulated heating process.
4. Blanket your horse as needed. 
5. Groom your horse regularly. 
6. Clean all mud off to avoid fungal and bacterial injection. 
7. Provide your horse with somewhere to get out of the mud. 
8. Provide adequate shelter
9. Continue riding!
10. Spend twice as much time on warming up and cooling down. 
11. Make sure horses are cool and dry before putting them away.  ​

1. Let water freeze over
2. Not increasing feed ration when the temperature drops. 
3. Give a "winter break" with no exercise
4. Override an out of shape horse
5. Leave a horse indoors all winter without turnout.
6. Over blanket
7. Lack of hoof care
8. Lack of grooming. ​

​Starwood Equine Veterinary Services is happy to answer any additional questions about how to help you and your horse better prepare for winter!.