Post by Calaminty Jane on Dec 3, 2009 17:58:38 GMT -5
Weathering the Cold With Your Equine Friend
by Laura Wagner
Posted: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
When the temperature dips there are added management concerns with our horses. Just like winterizing your vehicle, it is a good idea to make a few changes around the farm to keep things running like a well-oiled machine. Feeding, blanketing, clipping and foot care are things to think about when the winter months arrive. Informed decisions will keep your horses healthy and happy.
A Little Change for the Better
There are several small changes you can make in your daily routine during the winter to keep your horses healthy. There is no doubt that the incidence of colic rises as the temperature falls and this has several factors involved. If your horses spend more time inside in the winter, this can slow down their digestive system. Horses are meant to be on-the-move constantly so when we put them in a stall it is harder for their digestive system to keep food moving through. Several small meals are the ideal method of feeding rather than large meals where they stuff themselves. Naturally horses are grazing throughout the day, so keeping small bits of food in front of them will keep them occupied in the stall as well. When the temperature drops significantly adding a little salt to your horse's feed will ensure they keep drinking. Horses have a natural appetite for salt. Make a salt block available or add 1 to 2 ounces of loose salt to their feed daily. If your horse tends to get bored and eat his salt block, adding the loose salt is the better option.
Importance of Water
Keeping water available to the horses is most important when the freezing temperatures arrive. Several options include: tank heaters for the outdoor water tanks and heated buckets to hang in stalls. Both of these to require electricity. If you detest breaking ice on water buckets you will work on an alternative option. If you have heated water in the barn, filling the buckets with tepid water will melt what ice has formed and more horses enjoy a warm drink when it's chilly out.
Adding water to your horse's concentrated feed (grain) will help keep them hydrated; which in turn will help keep food moving. Making warm, soupy beet pulp or bran mash will help get more water into them as well.
Keeping Him Cozy
Blanketing is something that will vary depending on your location and what you do with your horses. Horses are pretty sturdy animals and do well in colder climates. When we add the exercise factor we change things a bit. If your horse gets sweaty when you ride, it is important to keep him covered with a cooler until he dries off. A hairy horse will take a long time to dry versus one that has been body clipped, therefore, many riders choose to clip their horses so they will cool off and dry quicker in the winter. Some riders opt for a full-body clip or a trace clip. Choose the one that best meets your climate and riding needs.
When You Saddle Up
When you ride in cold weather it is important to give your horse a good warm-up. If you have clipped all of his hair off, it is important to drape a quarter sheet over his back and rump when riding in cold weather. If you use a "wrap-around" cut you can pull it off without too much trouble after you get warmed-up. This way you can warm up slowly and you horse won't be chilly before his muscles are ready to work hard. It is important after the ride to be sure he gets covered up with a fleece or wool cooler so he doesn't catch a chill.
Playing Dress-up
If you take away your horse's natural protection from the elements with a full body clip it is important that you replace it to keep him comfortable. It sure seems like there are more options for dressing your horse than for dressing yourself! Make sure to take into account how cold nights get where you live and whether or not waterproofing is necessary. If your horses live outside you do not want them standing out in the rain or snow in a sopping-wet blanket.
Hoofing It in the Snow
Foot care will depend on what you do with your horses and where you live. If your horses have the winter off it may be advisable to remove their shoes for the down-time. It also gives their feet a chance to get back to their natural balance. They may be uncomfortable for a few weeks but typically they end up with healthier feet after a few cycles of being barefoot. If you are tacking up in the ice and snow there are a few things that can keep you safer. Having your farrier put borium on the shoes or drill/tap the shoes for studs allows your horse more traction. You might also consider a "snow pad" that will keep snow out of your horse's shoes. If your horse's don't spend too much time with snow balled up in their feet, simply spray nonstick cooking spray on the bottom of their feet to prevent snow build-up while you ride or turn-out for short periods.
Winter horse management will vary depending on the climate where you live. Discuss with your veterinarian and farrier the best options for where you live to keep your barn running smoothly and your horse's happy and healthy throughout the colder parts of the year.
by Laura Wagner
Posted: Tuesday, December 1, 2009
When the temperature dips there are added management concerns with our horses. Just like winterizing your vehicle, it is a good idea to make a few changes around the farm to keep things running like a well-oiled machine. Feeding, blanketing, clipping and foot care are things to think about when the winter months arrive. Informed decisions will keep your horses healthy and happy.
A Little Change for the Better
There are several small changes you can make in your daily routine during the winter to keep your horses healthy. There is no doubt that the incidence of colic rises as the temperature falls and this has several factors involved. If your horses spend more time inside in the winter, this can slow down their digestive system. Horses are meant to be on-the-move constantly so when we put them in a stall it is harder for their digestive system to keep food moving through. Several small meals are the ideal method of feeding rather than large meals where they stuff themselves. Naturally horses are grazing throughout the day, so keeping small bits of food in front of them will keep them occupied in the stall as well. When the temperature drops significantly adding a little salt to your horse's feed will ensure they keep drinking. Horses have a natural appetite for salt. Make a salt block available or add 1 to 2 ounces of loose salt to their feed daily. If your horse tends to get bored and eat his salt block, adding the loose salt is the better option.
Importance of Water
Keeping water available to the horses is most important when the freezing temperatures arrive. Several options include: tank heaters for the outdoor water tanks and heated buckets to hang in stalls. Both of these to require electricity. If you detest breaking ice on water buckets you will work on an alternative option. If you have heated water in the barn, filling the buckets with tepid water will melt what ice has formed and more horses enjoy a warm drink when it's chilly out.
Adding water to your horse's concentrated feed (grain) will help keep them hydrated; which in turn will help keep food moving. Making warm, soupy beet pulp or bran mash will help get more water into them as well.
Keeping Him Cozy
Blanketing is something that will vary depending on your location and what you do with your horses. Horses are pretty sturdy animals and do well in colder climates. When we add the exercise factor we change things a bit. If your horse gets sweaty when you ride, it is important to keep him covered with a cooler until he dries off. A hairy horse will take a long time to dry versus one that has been body clipped, therefore, many riders choose to clip their horses so they will cool off and dry quicker in the winter. Some riders opt for a full-body clip or a trace clip. Choose the one that best meets your climate and riding needs.
When You Saddle Up
When you ride in cold weather it is important to give your horse a good warm-up. If you have clipped all of his hair off, it is important to drape a quarter sheet over his back and rump when riding in cold weather. If you use a "wrap-around" cut you can pull it off without too much trouble after you get warmed-up. This way you can warm up slowly and you horse won't be chilly before his muscles are ready to work hard. It is important after the ride to be sure he gets covered up with a fleece or wool cooler so he doesn't catch a chill.
Playing Dress-up
If you take away your horse's natural protection from the elements with a full body clip it is important that you replace it to keep him comfortable. It sure seems like there are more options for dressing your horse than for dressing yourself! Make sure to take into account how cold nights get where you live and whether or not waterproofing is necessary. If your horses live outside you do not want them standing out in the rain or snow in a sopping-wet blanket.
Hoofing It in the Snow
Foot care will depend on what you do with your horses and where you live. If your horses have the winter off it may be advisable to remove their shoes for the down-time. It also gives their feet a chance to get back to their natural balance. They may be uncomfortable for a few weeks but typically they end up with healthier feet after a few cycles of being barefoot. If you are tacking up in the ice and snow there are a few things that can keep you safer. Having your farrier put borium on the shoes or drill/tap the shoes for studs allows your horse more traction. You might also consider a "snow pad" that will keep snow out of your horse's shoes. If your horse's don't spend too much time with snow balled up in their feet, simply spray nonstick cooking spray on the bottom of their feet to prevent snow build-up while you ride or turn-out for short periods.
Winter horse management will vary depending on the climate where you live. Discuss with your veterinarian and farrier the best options for where you live to keep your barn running smoothly and your horse's happy and healthy throughout the colder parts of the year.