Colder temperatures are now the norm in most areas. For the majority of horses, cold weather does not mean coming in from the cold, but rather being assisted to withstand the cold. From the owner’s standpoint, winter management gets very basic: routine health care, feed, water and shelter.
White horse on snow-covered terrain
For the majority of horses, cold weather does not mean coming in from the cold, but rather being assisted to withstand the cold.
© 2017 by American Farriers
Yet there are an amazing number of horses each winter that are abused as a result of one or more of these basic management principles being neglected. Please don't be the type of horse owner who confines horses in the barn 24/7 or turns horses out to pasture for long periods of time so they are out of sight and out of mind.
A healthy horse in the fall will factor into a healthy horse going into the winter. If your horse is free of parasites, in good flesh and properly immunized going into the winter, the greater the chance of your horse being an “easy keeper” during the winter. Emotions and welfare obligations aside, economics dictates that the cost of anthelmintics, veterinarian checkups and immunizations will more than pay for themselves in reduced feed costs through the stressful winter months. Work with your vet to set up a health program for each of your horses and stick with it.
It is important to know in advance what you are going to feed during the winter months. If you were waiting until after the first frost kills your pasture to decide on a winter feeding program, chances are the grass and plants that he was feeding on were devoid in nutrient value and he was losing body condition. When horse owners need to acclimate horses to new feed sources and the horse is in a declining body condition, valuable time has been lost in preparing the horse for more extreme weather.
The first step in planning a winter menu for your horse is knowing the nutrient value of your hay. Your local county extension office can assist you in getting your hay tested. The test will take several weeks, so plan ahead. While you are waiting on your hay sample, find out the nutritional requirements of your horse. Nutritional tables that determine equine nutritional requirements are available on line, in books and often at feed stores. The nutritional requirements are based on age, size, reproductive stage for mares and amount of work performed.
When your hay sample results are returned, compare the nutrient value of your hay to the nutrient requirements of your horses. In some cases, such as that of a mature horse with low workload, a good quality hay may provide all the necessary nutrients.
However, in most cases, a combination of hay and grain will be required to meet the nutritional needs of the horse during cold weather. Savings may be realized without affecting the horse, if you can utilize more of the cheaper hay and less of the more expensive grain.
Attention to proactive horse care during the winter months is important in having a sound and healthy horse later in the year.