As the chilly Michigan winter sets in, it's crucial to make sure our horses are staying healthy and comfortable in the cold. Here are some key tips to keep in mind during the colder months:
1๏ธโฃ Water is Essential
In freezing temperatures, horses may not drink enough water, which can lead to dehydration. Consider installing water heaters in troughs or using heated buckets to ensure your horse always has access to fresh, unfrozen water. Itโs important to make sure that your heater not only works, but it is also in a safe working condition. Waterers should be monitored and replaced as needed due to the risk of electrical shock.
2๏ธโฃ Quality Feed is Key
Horses burn more calories in the winter to stay warm, so make sure theyโre getting enough food. Provide plenty of hay and increase their grain intake if necessary. If the temperature is 0ยฐF, a 1,000-pound idle adult horse would need approximately 2 additional pounds of forage (i.e. hay) daily. Blanketing can also be done to conserve calories. Additionally, consider where your food sources are at. Are they easily accessible, or surrounded by a moat of ice and muddy water? Be sure to continue offering free choice salt in accessible areas.
3๏ธโฃ Shelter from the Storm
Ensure your horses have access to adequate shelter. A barn or run-in shed can provide protection from wind, snow, and rain.
4๏ธโฃ Check Hooves Regularly
Cold weather can cause ice to build up in hooves, so check regularly for snowballs or ice chunks and remove them.
5๏ธโฃ Be Prepared for Emergencies
Ensure your horse trailer is accessible and in good working condition in case of emergencies. Make sure itโs clear of snow and ice, and always have it stocked with essential supplies. Being ready to transport your horse quickly in a winter emergency could make all the difference.
#EquineCare #WinterHorseCare #MichiganWinter #HorseLovers #ColdWeatherTips #EquestrianLife #HorseHealth #MichiganHorses #SaginawValleyEquineClinic
The SVEC Farm Services' Fall Fest is tomorrow! Come for the shopping, food, and fun tomorrow from 10-2!
Birthdays at SVEC are kind of a big deal! Happy Birthday, Jess!! ๐๐๐ฅณ
The #SVECFarmServices team can bring equine veterinary medicine to you! This includes annual preventative care such as vaccines, Cogginโs testing, dentistry, lameness evaluations, chiropractic, and more. Our farm call range is Bay County, Midland County, Saginaw County, or if you are within 35 miles of our clinic. Give us a call at 989.790.7339 to schedule your appointment today!
Sports Med Tech Needed!
Do you:
1. Love horse shows?๐
2. Enjoy traveling?๐งณ
3. Drive a truck and trailer?๐ป
4. Need a new job?๐
We are looking for a full-time Equine Sports Medicine Assistant/Technician to join our team.
Find all of the details here: https://saginawvalleyequine.com/sports-medicine-tech/
It's Katie's last day! ๐ญ๐ขSo many memories! Here is a snapshot of the last six years! โค๏ธ
Got drool? Slobbers in horses is usually caused from a fungus that grows on clover and causes excessive drooling. It is always best to contact your vet to rule out choke, a mouth injury, or other medical issue. While slobbers isn't life threatening it is a good idea to remove the horse from the pasture and offer them plenty of water so they don't become dehydrated.
#SaginawValleyEquineClinic #SVECFarmServices #EquineVet #HorseSlobbers
