Post by Calaminty Jane on Dec 19, 2008 14:44:57 GMT -5
Thoughts from Carol on keeping your horse healthy in winter.
Been thinking about the cold weather and should I change anything for my horses. These are some thoughts and conclusions I have come to as a result of experience and research. Bear in mind, these are just my thoughts. You may want to research for yourself.
How do I keep my horse warm and healthy in the cold weather?
When winter comes increase hay consumption …. Not grain. . Forages (hay), which are digested by microbes located in the cecum and large intestine, produce more heat than concentrate mixes, which are digested by enzymes in the small intestine. The average horse should consume 2% of his body weight in hay. This means the average horse will need 20-25 lbs of hay per day. Do not rely on guess work. Get a fish scale …very inexpensive at Wal-Mart. Do this even if you board your horse.
The Importance of Water
Maintaining ample water intake is the most critical part of ensuring the health of your horse during cold weather. The horse prefers a water temperature of 45° to 65°F. (Most heated buckets with a thermostat stay in this range) Under normal conditions, the horse will consume one gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight. A 1,100-pound horse will consume 10 to 12 gallons of water daily. As the water temperature decreases, the horse will consume less water. The same 1,100-pound horse may consume as little as 1 to 3 gallons of water daily when water temperature is 32°F. Low water intake is directly related to the increased incidence of impaction colic. Water intake can be encouraged by increasing the amount of forage (hay) being fed prior to a drop in temperature. The resulting increase of dry matter encourages the horse to drink more water. If you find your horse is not consuming enough water, a good way to add water is to provide a mash with hay stretcher. Mash made with beet pulp can be used if hay stretcher is not available. Stay away from grain (concentrates) unless you horse will not stay in good weight with all the hay he can eat. Some, but very few, horses will not eat enough hay to maintain good weight. Grain should only be fed as a supplement. Because of the way the horse digests food, feeding grain or more grain can actually not provide internal heat and slow the drinking of water.
Blanket or not?
If the horse has shelter from wind and rain/snow, blankets should be avoided and are for most horses … not necessary. The horse regulates his body temperature by the raising and lowering of his hair. An inadequate blanket can actually cool the horse in cold weather by stopping the hair from rising and trapping air to insulate from the cold. A horse turned out in a heavy blanket may be too warm on a sunny day. At best …. Its guess work. Most blanket because everyone else does or for their convenience … (less grooming and prevention of hair growth) sometimes at the horses expense.
Been thinking about the cold weather and should I change anything for my horses. These are some thoughts and conclusions I have come to as a result of experience and research. Bear in mind, these are just my thoughts. You may want to research for yourself.
How do I keep my horse warm and healthy in the cold weather?
When winter comes increase hay consumption …. Not grain. . Forages (hay), which are digested by microbes located in the cecum and large intestine, produce more heat than concentrate mixes, which are digested by enzymes in the small intestine. The average horse should consume 2% of his body weight in hay. This means the average horse will need 20-25 lbs of hay per day. Do not rely on guess work. Get a fish scale …very inexpensive at Wal-Mart. Do this even if you board your horse.
The Importance of Water
Maintaining ample water intake is the most critical part of ensuring the health of your horse during cold weather. The horse prefers a water temperature of 45° to 65°F. (Most heated buckets with a thermostat stay in this range) Under normal conditions, the horse will consume one gallon of water per 100 pounds of body weight. A 1,100-pound horse will consume 10 to 12 gallons of water daily. As the water temperature decreases, the horse will consume less water. The same 1,100-pound horse may consume as little as 1 to 3 gallons of water daily when water temperature is 32°F. Low water intake is directly related to the increased incidence of impaction colic. Water intake can be encouraged by increasing the amount of forage (hay) being fed prior to a drop in temperature. The resulting increase of dry matter encourages the horse to drink more water. If you find your horse is not consuming enough water, a good way to add water is to provide a mash with hay stretcher. Mash made with beet pulp can be used if hay stretcher is not available. Stay away from grain (concentrates) unless you horse will not stay in good weight with all the hay he can eat. Some, but very few, horses will not eat enough hay to maintain good weight. Grain should only be fed as a supplement. Because of the way the horse digests food, feeding grain or more grain can actually not provide internal heat and slow the drinking of water.
Blanket or not?
If the horse has shelter from wind and rain/snow, blankets should be avoided and are for most horses … not necessary. The horse regulates his body temperature by the raising and lowering of his hair. An inadequate blanket can actually cool the horse in cold weather by stopping the hair from rising and trapping air to insulate from the cold. A horse turned out in a heavy blanket may be too warm on a sunny day. At best …. Its guess work. Most blanket because everyone else does or for their convenience … (less grooming and prevention of hair growth) sometimes at the horses expense.