Colder temperatures are now the norm as winter weather brings snow and ice to many areas of the country. For the majority of horses, cold weather does not mean coming in from the cold, but rather being assisted to withstand the cold.
Horses eating piles of forage in a snow-covered oasture.
Careful attention to feeding, watering, housing, and care of horses during cold weather can make the difference between a healthy horse and one that suffers from illness and discomfort.
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An amazing number of horses are abused as a result of one or more 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.
To maintain healthy horses during cold weather, it is important to be aware of the horse’s vital signs, how to take them and how to interpret them;
Check vital signs
When you suspect that your horse is ill or if the horse is injured, one of the first questions your veterinarian will ask when called, is "What are the horse's vital signs?" Practice taking your horse's vital signs and keep a record of what is normal for each horse.
Temperature
To take a horse's temperature, first tie the horse or have someone hold his head. Stand beside (not in back of) the left hind leg, lift the tail slightly to the side with your left hand, and insert the tip of the thermometer a couple of inches into the rectum with your right hand. Generally, you don't need to use any sort of lubricant, and most horses don't object to the procedure. It's still wise to keep a tight grip on the thermometer! When the temperature has stabilized, remove the thermometer and read the result.
Bulb and digital thermometers are equally suitable, but many horse owners prefer low-cost digital thermometers because they are easier to use and safer for the environment. If using a traditional bulb thermometer, shake it down until the bulb registers below 96 degrees F or 35.5 if C. Some thermometers made especially for use with horses are longer and have a safety attachment to hold onto and are also relatively inexpensive, making them a good investment.
With a traditional bulb thermometer, wait 3 minutes, then remove the thermometer and wipe it clean. Read the temperature by the height of the silver or red column of mercury on the scale.
If using a digital thermometer, follow the manufacturer's directions or follow instructions for traditional bulb thermometer remembering that you will get an accurate, easier-to-read reading more quickly with a digital thermometer.
Pulse
The horse's pulse can be taken at any point where a large artery is located beneath the skin. A convenient place is where the external maxillary artery crosses the lower border of the jawbone. To locate the pulse, press lightly with the balls of your fingers. The pulse is most notable when the horse has been exercising, but you should become familiar with both the horse's resting rate and the rate after being exercised.
The pulse can also be taken at the inside back of the knee which corresponds to the wrist in humans.
Respiratory Rate
Determine the horse's respiratory rate by observing and counting the movements of the nostrils or flanks.
Capillary Refill Time
Lift the horse's upper lip and press your thumb firmly against the gums to create a white mark. Remove your thumb and watch for the return to a normal pink color within 1 to 2 seconds after releasing the pressure.
Mucous Membranes
The color the the mucous membranes indicates much about the state of the horse's health. A healthy horse's mucous membranes will be a slightly lighter pink than a human's. Very pale pink membranes indicate contracted capillaries that may be a result of fever, blood loss or anemia. Bright red mucous membranes mean that the capillaries are enlarged and may indicate toxicity or mild shock. Grayish, bluish mucous membranes are the result of severe shock, depression, or other illness. Bright yellow or yellowed mucous membranes are associated with liver problems.
Dehydration
The pinch test has been the standard test for dehydration in horses for decades. To perform the pinch test, simply pinch the skin on the horse's neck and observe how long it takes the skin to flatten back into place after you let go. If it flattens within 1 second, the horse is fine. If it takes longer, the horse is dehydrated.* Other signs of dehydration include dry mucous membranes in the mouth and sunken eyeballs.
Gut Sounds
To check for gut sounds, press your ear against the horse's barrel just behind the last rib. If you hear gurgling sounds, your horse is fine. If you don't hear the sounds on one side, check the other side. Low-pitched gurgling and rumbling gut sounds can be heard constantly in a normal horse. When a horse is experiencing digestive malfunctions, the presence, character and type of gut sounds changes. Sounds maybe absent, more frequent or higher-pitched or echoing.
*Some research questions the validity of the pinch test, since results can vary depending on the moisture in the horse's coat, the side the test is done on, and other factors. Some veterinarians believe that keeping track of the amount of water a horse drinks per day while taking into consideration air temperature and exercise factors, is more valid than simply using the pinch test.
Normal numbers and indications for vital signs
• Temperature: An adult horse's normal rectal temperature is 99.5 to 100 degrees F (37.5 to 37.8 degrees C). A foal's temperature will range from 99 to 102 degrees F (37.2 to 38.9 degrees C)
• Pulse Rate: An adult horse's resting pulse rate will range from 35 to 45 beats per minute. A nursing foal's pulse rate at one month of age is 70 to 90 beats per minute.
• Respiratory Rate: Normal rate averages 12, but will range between 10 and 30 breaths per minute.
• Capillary Refill Time: This is an indication of blood circulation. Normal refill time is 1 to 2 seconds.
• Mucous Membranes: The mucous membranes line the horse's eyelids, gums and nostrils, and the color is another indicator of blood circulation. A healthy horse's mucous membranes are moist and pink.
• Dehydration: Healthy horses drink a minimum of 5 gallons of water a day. If a horse refuses to drink or goes too long without access to water, severe problems can develop. Intake of water is very important for a healthy horse. Water should always be readily available to horses. Ideally, the water temperature should be between 45 degrees and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water is too cold, the horse may not drink enough to stay hydrated and healthy.
• Gut Sounds: Absence of gut sounds can indicate colic or other serious conditions.
Tips for keeping your horses healthy during cold weather include
• Gradually increase forage as grazing becomes less available. Forage in the form of good-quality hay will also provide additional warmth to your horse as it is digested.
• A combination of hay and grain may be required to meet the nutritional needs of the horse during cold weather.
• Horses should drink 6-10 gallons per day, and the more hay they eat, the more water they need to drink.
• Most horses prefer water between 45-65 F, so you may need a tank heater on colder days.
• If your horse decreases water consumption, adding table salt (1-2 tablespoons) to your horse’s grain may encourage water.
• If you plan to ride your horse, double your warm-up time to avoid injury.
Attention to proactive horse care during the winter months is important in having a sound and healthy horse later in the year. Careful attention to feeding, watering, housing, and care of horses during cold weather can make the difference between a healthy horse and one that suffers from illness and discomfort.