Preparing Horses for Winter

Winter can be a particularly stressful time for horses, but there a few simple things you can do to make them more comfortable. 

When temperatures start to dip below freezing, you have to make sure your horses still have constant access to fresh water so be sure to check your water sources now.  Ensure that the heaters in good working condition and that above ground water pipes are properly insulated.

Shelter is important to give horses a place out of the elements. A good wind-blocking shelter in the pasture can lessen cold stress on your horses. Make sure you have fresh bedding and the shelter is clean. It doesn’t take long for bedding to get wet, so you need to check it often.

According to Bob Coleman, UK Extension Equine Specialist, horses need to eat between 1.5 and 2 percent of their body weight in food each day to maintain their weight. That figure doesn’t account for any activity. In colder weather, horses will need to eat more to stay warm. An average horse of 1,000 pounds, in good body condition, will need to eat at least 20 pounds of hay per day in normal weather. The amount of feed required to meet requirements can increase quickly when the weather turns cold. In many cases the horse will not be able to eat enough hay to meet requirements, so owners will need to add concentrate to the program. Check your hay supplies now and make sure you have enough and that you have a place to store it out of the weather.

Take time to send in a feed or hay sample for testing, so you’ll know if your hay has adequate nutritional balance and quality.

It’s a good idea to get a body condition score on your horses before it gets cold, so you can start making adjustments now if necessary.

Putting a blanket on your horse requires you to think about several things. The blanket needs to be waterproof, in good condition, and you need to make sure it fits the horse. An ill-fitting blanket can do more harm than good. If your horse is outside, has a good coat of hair and access to adequate shelter, you probably don’t need to use a blanket. If you do use one, check it often. If the blanket gets wet, you need to quickly change it.

For more information on caring for your horses during cold weather, contact the McLean County  Cooperative Extension Service at (270)273-3690.   Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.