Difference between revisions of "Care for Your Horse In the Winter"
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| − | + | Caring for horses attentively through winter will help to ensure that they get through the season with relatively few problems. Horses are reasonably hardy in cold temperatures and grow a winter coat for additional warmth. The key to caring for horses in winter is a collection of simple steps involving things such as checking weather forecasts before choosing rugs, making sure they cool down properly after being ridden, ensuring that they're not subjected to drafts, that they're being fed properly, etc. By knowing what actions to take, you can easily care for your horse over the winter. | |
| − | [[Category:Seasonal Horse Care]] | + | [[Category: Seasonal Horse Care]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Winterizing the Horse’s Living Conditions === | === Winterizing the Horse’s Living Conditions === | ||
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#*If you can't get to your horse as often as you'd like because of winter conditions on roads, etc., have someone else check in on your horse regularly to make sure he's fine. | #*If you can't get to your horse as often as you'd like because of winter conditions on roads, etc., have someone else check in on your horse regularly to make sure he's fine. | ||
=== Feeding Your Horse over Winter === | === Feeding Your Horse over Winter === | ||
| − | #Use good quality hay as the bulk of the horse’s feed. Since your horse’s natural forage—grass—is unavailable, stick with good quality hay as the bulk feed source.<ref>http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/tag/winter-feeding</ref> In addition you can supplement this with high fiber foods such as sugar beet or alfalfa. These foods take a lot of chewing, which helps keep the horse occupied during the long dark hours of winter. | + | #Use good quality hay as the bulk of the horse’s feed. Since your horse’s natural forage—grass—is unavailable, stick with good quality hay as the bulk feed source.<ref name="rf1">http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/tag/winter-feeding</ref> In addition you can supplement this with high fiber foods such as sugar beet or alfalfa. These foods take a lot of chewing, which helps keep the horse occupied during the long dark hours of winter. |
| − | #* An older horse with poor teeth may struggle with certain food sources. Try feeding older horses on haylage, or you can soak hay cubes to make them easier to chew.<ref | + | #* An older horse with poor teeth may struggle with certain food sources. Try feeding older horses on haylage, or you can soak hay cubes to make them easier to chew.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Don’t overfeed your horse. Horses normally burn some reserves of body fat in order to keep warm over winter. If you try to avoid this by feeding energy-dense foods (such as nuts or pellets), they may become over-stimulated and buzzy. This can lead to pent up energy and possible accidents in the stable.<ref | + | #Don’t overfeed your horse. Horses normally burn some reserves of body fat in order to keep warm over winter. If you try to avoid this by feeding energy-dense foods (such as nuts or pellets), they may become over-stimulated and buzzy. This can lead to pent up energy and possible accidents in the stable.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Add mineral supplements to your horse’s feed. With hay as the main food source for your horse over the winter, you may want to add vitamin or mineral supplements in order to keep the horse healthy without overfeeding.<ref | + | #Add mineral supplements to your horse’s feed. With hay as the main food source for your horse over the winter, you may want to add vitamin or mineral supplements in order to keep the horse healthy without overfeeding.<ref name="rf1" /> This will provide the horse with everything it needs nutritionally without adding the extra calories or too many nuts or mixes. |
#* Consult your veterinarian and the recommended servings for supplements based on what you add to your horse’s diet. | #* Consult your veterinarian and the recommended servings for supplements based on what you add to your horse’s diet. | ||
=== Riding Your Horse during the Winter === | === Riding Your Horse during the Winter === | ||
| − | #Ride several times each week. Aim for four to six hours weekly of riding during winter. This is especially important if you're a competition rider or want to ensure that young horses get used to the work required of them.<ref>David Wyatt, Maintain a winter riding program, http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/winter121203/</ref> | + | #Ride several times each week. Aim for four to six hours weekly of riding during winter. This is especially important if you're a competition rider or want to ensure that young horses get used to the work required of them.<ref name="rf2">David Wyatt, Maintain a winter riding program, http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/winter121203/</ref> |
#Use common sense when determining riding conditions. Generally speaking, if the conditions aren’t safe for you to [[Ride a Horse in the Winter|ride in winter]], then they won’t be safe for your horse either. There is no temperature bar to [[Ride a Horse|riding a horse]], provided that it’s not too cold for you and that your horse has adapted to the temperature, which requires regular outings. This means avoid riding during fierce cold winds, severe thunderstorms, or [[Survive a Blizzard|blizzards]]. | #Use common sense when determining riding conditions. Generally speaking, if the conditions aren’t safe for you to [[Ride a Horse in the Winter|ride in winter]], then they won’t be safe for your horse either. There is no temperature bar to [[Ride a Horse|riding a horse]], provided that it’s not too cold for you and that your horse has adapted to the temperature, which requires regular outings. This means avoid riding during fierce cold winds, severe thunderstorms, or [[Survive a Blizzard|blizzards]]. | ||
#* Winter means longer driving times, longer preparation times, and shorter days. Be aware of the time constraints affecting your ability to ride your horse and care for him and plan accordingly. | #* Winter means longer driving times, longer preparation times, and shorter days. Be aware of the time constraints affecting your ability to ride your horse and care for him and plan accordingly. | ||
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#* Another alternative is to use a sweet iron bit. This isn't as harsh and doesn't become as cold as normal steel. | #* Another alternative is to use a sweet iron bit. This isn't as harsh and doesn't become as cold as normal steel. | ||
#Clean out your horse's hooves well. In addition to packing a hoof pick, add a layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves. This will prevent balls of ice and snow from forming in the hooves. | #Clean out your horse's hooves well. In addition to packing a hoof pick, add a layer of non-stick cooking spray or petroleum jelly to your horse's hooves. This will prevent balls of ice and snow from forming in the hooves. | ||
| − | #[[Groom a Horse|Groom your horse]]. This is not only good for warming the horse's muscles, but serves as an excellent warm-up workout for you too.<ref>Debbie Moors, Warm up to winter riding, http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/winterriding_111505/</ref> | + | #[[Groom a Horse|Groom your horse]]. This is not only good for warming the horse's muscles, but serves as an excellent warm-up workout for you too.<ref name="rf3">Debbie Moors, Warm up to winter riding, http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/winterriding_111505/</ref> |
#Consider using an exercise sheet to prevent the horse’s muscles from becoming cold while riding. This is especially important for a clipped or thin-skinned horse, or a horse that as been restricted to a stable. Use it while [[Tack up a Horse|tacking up]] as well as riding. | #Consider using an exercise sheet to prevent the horse’s muscles from becoming cold while riding. This is especially important for a clipped or thin-skinned horse, or a horse that as been restricted to a stable. Use it while [[Tack up a Horse|tacking up]] as well as riding. | ||
#Tack up. Find a clear, clean spot to tack up. Avoid muddy or icy spots and find an area that has good footing. The same requirements apply to the riding area itself. | #Tack up. Find a clear, clean spot to tack up. Avoid muddy or icy spots and find an area that has good footing. The same requirements apply to the riding area itself. | ||
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#*Wet slopes. Take care riding a horse down a wet slope, as it is easy to lose grip, especially when going fast, and moving over wet stony or rocky areas. | #*Wet slopes. Take care riding a horse down a wet slope, as it is easy to lose grip, especially when going fast, and moving over wet stony or rocky areas. | ||
#*Never [[Canter With Your Horse|canter]] or gallop your horse in snowy, muddy, icy, or slick terrain. | #*Never [[Canter With Your Horse|canter]] or gallop your horse in snowy, muddy, icy, or slick terrain. | ||
| − | #Cool down your horse properly after your ride. This is a time when the horse can get a chill, moving from being very hot and sweaty to being cold. You want to cool the horse down as well as taking other precautions before stabling him.<ref>Judy Wise-Mason, Cooling out a hot horse in winter cold, http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/eqcoldride1071/</ref> | + | #Cool down your horse properly after your ride. This is a time when the horse can get a chill, moving from being very hot and sweaty to being cold. You want to cool the horse down as well as taking other precautions before stabling him.<ref name="rf4">Judy Wise-Mason, Cooling out a hot horse in winter cold, http://www.equisearch.com/horses_care/health/winter/eqcoldride1071/</ref> |
#* This is also a good time to groom the horse again. This also helps his muscles to cool down more slowly in addition to removing mud from his legs, which can cause irritation and mud rash. | #* This is also a good time to groom the horse again. This also helps his muscles to cool down more slowly in addition to removing mud from his legs, which can cause irritation and mud rash. | ||
#*Feel your horse’s ears as you cool him down. If they’re still hot, then you should continue walking the horse for a few more minutes. They should be cool, not cold nor hot. Cold ears mean a cold horse. | #*Feel your horse’s ears as you cool him down. If they’re still hot, then you should continue walking the horse for a few more minutes. They should be cool, not cold nor hot. Cold ears mean a cold horse. | ||
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#Return your horse to his stables, barn, or field. Ensure that there is adequate food and water. Give him [[Bundle Hay|hay]] to eat, as eating roughage warms him quickly, releasing heat as it's digested. | #Return your horse to his stables, barn, or field. Ensure that there is adequate food and water. Give him [[Bundle Hay|hay]] to eat, as eating roughage warms him quickly, releasing heat as it's digested. | ||
#* If blanketing your horse, ensure that the animal is completely dry before doing so. | #* If blanketing your horse, ensure that the animal is completely dry before doing so. | ||
| − | #*Be sure to check that the drinking water supplied is not frozen. Horses will drink more water if it is warmed, reducing their risk of [[Recognize and Treat Colic in Horses|colic]] brought on by dehydration.<ref | + | #*Be sure to check that the drinking water supplied is not frozen. Horses will drink more water if it is warmed, reducing their risk of [[Recognize and Treat Colic in Horses|colic]] brought on by dehydration.<ref name="rf3" /> |
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
