Anderson Equine Veterinary Clinic - Veterinarian in El Segundo, CA

December Newsletter: 6 Winter Care Tips for Horse Owners

6 Winter Care Tips for Horse Owners

Your horse may enjoy the cold more than you do, but it still needs a little extra TLC when the temperature drops and cold winds blow. These tips will help your horse stay healthy, dry and comfortable this winter.

Make Fresh Water a Priority

Horses need a consistent supply of fresh water year-round. Unfortunately, your horse's hydration may be lacking if troughs freeze or drinking water is too cold for its liking. If your horse doesn't drink enough for any reason, it may be more likely to develop colic.

Insulating troughs and installing trough water heaters will prevent water from freezing or becoming too cold. If you don't have heaters, check troughs daily during cold weather and break apart any ice floes that have formed. Keep in mind that ice may not thaw on its own unless the temperature has been above freezing for several days.

Looking for a simple way to prevent frozen water in outdoor troughs? Follow The Horse's suggestion and make a float out of a two-liter soda bottle. The float bobs around in the trough, stopping the water from freezing. The Horse recommends filling the bottle 2/3 with water and adding a cup of salt.

Keep Barns, Stables, and Shelters in Good Repair

A small hole in a wall or roof can make barns and shelters uncomfortably cold and damp. Check structures regularly for rotted or broken boards, gaps in walls, leaks, missing shingles, broken windows, and doors that don't close properly. Don't forget to conduct a damage assessment after winter storms. Even a small amount of ice or snow in your barn could cause mold formation.

Offer Ample Opportunities for Exercise

Regular exercise keeps your horse's bones and muscles strong and is essential for good heart and digestive health. Without enough exercise, your horse may be more likely to become obese or develop laminitis or joint problems.

Unless there's a blizzard, ice storm, or bitterly cold temperatures, your horse will benefit from turnout or a ride. Horses are most comfortable when the temperature is between 18 and 59F, according to the University of Minnesota Extension.

Know When To Use Blankets

Using a blanket seems like an obvious way to protect your horse from extreme weather, but blanketing can sometimes make things worse. Sweat-soaked blankets quickly become cold and can chill your horse. Generally, horses only need blankets when the temperature is lower than 10F, according to Colorado State University (CSU). Older or thin horses may need blankets when it's warmer than 10F.

CSU recommends using waterproof, breathable blankets for turnout and cautions horse owners to use the appropriate blanket weight for the weather conditions. Make sure your horse is completely dry before adding a blanket.

Provide More Forage

Forage and feed provide the fuel your horse needs to produce body heat. When it's cold outside, your horse needs to eat more to generate heat through digestion. According to Rutgers University, your horse should eat about 2% of its body weight in forage during the winter.

Hay is better than grain, as it takes more time to chew and results in greater heat production, according to Kentucky Equine Research. Hay also increases saliva production, which helps buffer gastric acid and prevent ulcers. If your horse isn't gaining enough weight, you may need to supplement its diet with grain, however.

Be a Hoof Picker

Accumulations of ice and snow in your horse's hooves pose a slipping danger and could increase the risk of joint issues. Clean out hooves with a hoof pick to prevent problems. Talk to your farrier about placing studs on your horse's shoes to improve traction on snowy or slippery ground. Snowball pads offer another option. The pads cover your horse's feet and keep snow and ice from building up on the hooves.

Concerned about your horse's readiness for winter? Contact our office to share your concerns or schedule an appointment with the veterinarian.

Sources:

The Horse: Keeping Water Troughs Thawed with or Without a Heater, 12/19/2023

https://thehorse.com/137146/keeping-water-troughs-thawed-with-or-without-a-heater

University of Minnesota Extension: Carrying for Your Horse in the Winter, 2022

https://extension.umn.edu/horse-care-and-management/caring-your-horse-winter

Rutgers University: Winter Horse Care: Well Fed for the Winter, 2/9/2022

https://esc.rutgers.edu/winter-horse-care-well-fed-for-the-winter/

Kentucky Equine Research: Cold Weather Feeding Tips, 2/15/2020

https://ker.com/equinews/ten-cold-weather-feeding-tips/

Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine: Winter Care for Horses, 1/5/2023

https://vet.tufts.edu/news-events/news/winter-care-horses