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| Winterizing Your
Horse |
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Horses
in the wild are well suited to surviving harsh winter conditions. Our domesticated horses do not have the same skills as their
wild brethren. Winter survival is one of the many things
for which our equine companions rely on us. |
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Before
winter arrives take a look around your pasture and barn.
Make necessary repairs now, before the icy winds blow. Make
sure that your fence is not only intact, but that it will
remain visible in a deep snow. Horses have been known to
walk over or entangle themselves in fences that are buried
in drifts of snow. |
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Most
horses do not require blanketing through the winter as their
winter coats provide suitable warmth. In fact, blanketing early
in the winter can cause your horse to grow a coat not thick
enough to keep him warm. Blanketing over his full winter coat
can cause him to sweat, which can lead to a chill in freezing
temperatures. |
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| Fall is an
excellent time to make sure your horse's dental health is up
to snuff. |
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Horses
often have a more difficult time keeping weight on during
cold months, and teeth that hurt or that don't grind properly
can contribute to that weight loss. Have your horse's teeth
checked and floated if needed. |
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| Your horse's winter
coat can hide weight loss and injuries. Carefully inspect your
horse every one to two days to ensure he is
maintaining his weight and has suffered no injury that needs attention. |
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| During
cold months you can design a feeding program that will help
to keep your horse toasty warm. While sweet feeds and grains
are full of calories, the fermentation that results from hay
in your horse's gut will increase his body temperature much
more efficiently. Make sure your horse has access to hay at
all times. |
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Snow
does not provide adequate water for your horse. This would
be similar to you trying to get all the fluids you need by
simply eating ice. Many colics occur in winter months due to
a lack of access to fresh water. Make sure that heated tanks
are in good working order, and if you do not have a heated
water source, plan to break the ice on the surface of your
horse's water two to three times daily. At least once a day
offer your horse water you have warmed to tepid. |
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| If
your horse is to remain shod all winter, add pads to his feet.
Pads will prevent ice from balling up within his feet. These
ice balls may cause your horse to become unsteady and slip
and fall on frozen ground. (A horse on ice skates is no fun!) |
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| Just
because it is winter doesn't mean you cannot ride your horse.
Winter riding can be great fun, and your horse will appreciate
the diversion. There are a couple of things to keep in mind
as you plan your winter rides. Over-exertion in cold air can
lead to irritation of his airway. Keep your workouts to a moderate
level. Sweating will quickly make your horse too cold
and uncomfortable. Moderate work will prevent sweating, but
if your horse is prone to breaking a sweat under his tack,
clipping his saddle area may help. Keep in mind this will require
blanketing. |
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| Paying attention to
a few simple details can make winter another enjoyable season
in which to enjoy your partnership with your horse. |
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| Janelle D.
Tirrell, D.V.M. 2006 |
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New
Gloucester, Maine 04260