Horse Management Tips In Winter

In recent years we have seen increasing amounts of bad weather over the winter

. While snow and ice might be great to look at, it is not very practical when it comes to looking after your horse. In extreme weather conditions even the more simple routines can become difficult and it is important to plan ahead bearing in mind that everything will take much longer than usual.

The first thing to consider is the availability of water. Horses should have access to clean water at all times, which can be difficult when all the water troughs are frozen. When water is very cold horses tend to drink less. So to prevent the water from freezing quickly you can use warm water which will cool gradually, if you have access to this. It is also a good idea to keep a water container full in case the taps are frozen and you need access to water quickly.

It is important to consider whether the horse is warm enough. Even if they are normally turned out all the time, in extreme conditions horses can find this too cold for them. Make sure that they have a warm and waterproof rug if they are outside. Horses kept inside can also get cold especially if there is a draught as they are unable to move around freely to keep warm. It is important to consider whether you clip your horse as they will need a thicker rug than if they had their coat to keep them warm.

Food is another important factor; horses need to eat more food to keep warm in extreme cold. When turned out in the snow or frost, horses are often not able to get to the grass for grazing and there is limited nutritional value to it, it is important to increase the amount of hay they have either in the stable at night or in the field.

If your horse has been turned out in the snow then make sure you check their feet for ice/snow build up. Putting hoof oil on the underside of the hoof prevents snow and ice from building up under the hooves.

In addition, during adverse weather make sure that you keep an eye on your horse for any behavioural changes that may indicate they are happy or unwell. No one enjoys extreme weather and this includes horses, so it is important to take care of our animals during these trying times.

by: Erin Brankowski

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