01/01/2025
Rumor has it the cold weather is arriving soon! Here are some things to keep in mind:
💦 Offering warm (not hot) water can help encourage horses to drink who may find cold water aversive this time of year. Sneaking in water through soaking feeds (as pictured below) can give additional sources of hydration as well. Just be sure to remove promptly what isn’t consumed to avoid it freezing over. Check for frozen layers on the water sources and break those up, removing the ice chunks. Some horses will break the ice on their own, some horses will wait for others to break it often reducing the consumption of water.
🧂 The use of electrolytes or salts can be helpful for some horses. Do not contaminate the main water source with the electrolytes or salts, always be sure to offer in an additional bucket of water (or add to feed if they will eat it). Commercial brands of equine electrolytes or equine salts offer directions on their tubs/bags for appropriate administration. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9696292/
🏡 Shelter where the horses can take a break from the wind and wet weather is crucial. Be sure that fellow pasture mates aren’t blocking the use of the shelter for horses that may need it.
🧥Blanketing: Many healthy and happy horses that are maintaining solid winter coats and weights often don’t require blanketing during this time, providing they have full access to shelter and quality forage. If your horse needs a blanket, blanket them. If not, don’t blanket. Blanketing is an individual decision and based on your horse’s weight, health condition, and husbandry. Refer to our previous post on blanketing considerations.
🌾Provide access to quality forage! The body temperature raises due to the fermentation through the digestion process of hay in the hind gut and aids in keeping horses warm. Fly masks can offer protection from eye irritation in round bales (for those horses who love to shove their heads as far inside them as possible) and blowing snow, just be sure to continually check under the mask for any changes to the eye structures themselves and remove as needed.
https://www.extension.iastate.edu/equine/increase-hay-intake-winter
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102906&id=4952134
🚶🏻♂️🚶🏿♀️Movement is good to help keep things in motion, but turnout options may be limited for stalled shod or stalled show horses. Consider hand-walking or some turnout time in an indoor arena for light exercise (if appropriate AND safe based on your horse’s individual needs).
🍲 Keep your feeding routine consistent. Avoid sudden changes of brands or feeds during these extreme temperature swings.
⏰ Don’t change routine now. This isn’t the time to alter your horse’s established schedule or add in new training. Changes cause stress.
https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/cold-weather-colic-in-horses/
If your veterinarian must visit your horse due to an emergency:
- Provide warm water. If they need to administer enteral fluids, warm water is appreciated this time of year.
- Have an accessible route to the horse.
- Give your veterinarian as much advance warning as possible. If you notice symptoms of colic or choke, discuss with your provider and determine a plan. ‼️
- Have your equine pharmacy available and out of the cold so it’s ready to use at the direction of your veterinarian.
Most horses have the ability to weather the winter cold better than we give them credit for…. however, by observing your horse, you can help witness stress related changes and update your veterinarian for any concerns for appropriate intervention! Stay warm!!
