14/01/2024
Cold Weather Winter Horse Care Tips:
Hay: Lots and lots of grass hay. An average 1000lb horse on any given not that cold day needs 20-24lbs of hay or forage. Winter weather = no grass that means hay. On a day that is in the single digits or below, expect that same horse to eat up to 40lbs or more of grass hay. Pro tip: coarser grass hay is actually better for winter digesting than that finer fancy green stuff! Feed the gut bugs good fiber so they can generate good heat!
Water: horses need a constant supply of fresh temperate water. Break those buckets and often. Cycle buckets multiple times throughout the day. Invest in tank heaters. More hay fed equals more water drunk. Horses can actually drink up to 20+ gallons of water a day in the winter! I'm somewhat anti-heated buckets, I've seen too many barns burn down.
Salt: salt increases water consumption. Horses should have free choice salt available (both block and powdered), and adding extra to any meals may help them drink more and stay hydrated. Ask me why I don't feed trace mineral salts. I only feed white table salt.
Oil and/or hot water mashes: There is nothing worse than treating choke on a 5*F day because someone fed a lot more dry grain - just because it was cold. Teach your horses to eat soaked or wet feed long before cold weather months. Sometimes a little bit of rice bran or corn oil in the feed can help older horses maintain weight and deter gas colics from the increased forage demands. It also helps the food bolus not get stuck along their esophagus causing choke. Pro tip: Warm it up. Take a warm water kettle out if you don't have hot water in the barn. Who wants to eat cold wet food? Put those new insulated Stanley Cups to good use.
Dentition: horses need proper teeth to chew up all that dry forage. The average young horse can get away with yearly teeth floats but the older they are they might need every 4-6month checks. Horses that cannot close their mouths and chew properly are more likely to drop feed, swallow larger feed boluses, choke and colic. Not to mention the sharp points that cause check and tongue ulcers. Ouch. PS: vets hate doing teeth in sub freezing temperatures unless you have an amazing heated barn with Infrared Lighting.... Do their teeth long before winter weather sets in.
Turn Out: Horses don't need to be pent up all day in their stalls. Get them out and get them moving every day. They're digestive machines and movement helps their guts move better. Even 1-4 hours a day (hopefully more) is enough to get them moving and get their zoomies out. What's good for the gut is good for the brain is good for the gut, etc.
Warm up & Cool Down: Muscles, Blood Vessels, Tendons and Ligaments all contract in cold temperatures. Go figure. You and your horse are more prone to injury if you do not properly take the time to warm up and cool down before, during and after exercise.
Stay Warm Out There!
