Horses need special attention once winter weather arrives, especially in locations where it is cold, wet, and windy. For most horses, cold weather does not mean coming in from the cold, but being assisted to withstand the cold as comfortably as possible.
Horses are very tolerant of cold conditions; in fact, horses tend to be far more stressed by heat than by cold. From the horse owner's standpoint, winter management gets very basic: routine health care, feed, water, and shelter.
For a horse to do well during the winter weather, it goes without saying that it needs to be parasite free, in good body condition, and properly immunized.
The cost of deworming, veterinarian checkups, and immunizations will more than pay for themselves in reduced feed costs through the stressful winter months.
People tend to think that if they are cold, their horses must be cold. Not necessarily so. Preconditioning horses before the onset of cold temperatures helps to reduce the effect of cold weather on the horse and will reduce nutritional needs required to maintain weight.
A horse shouldn't lose weight in the winter. In fact, a little extra layer of fat to fend off the cold won't hurt. Fat cover acts as an insulator and provides energy reserves during stress. Altering your feeding program for the upcoming winter by providing some extra calories will allow horses develop an insulating layer of fat under the skin.
According to Carey Williams, Ph.D. and Sharon L. Ralston of My Horse University at Michigan State, horse owners should follow these tips to maintain horse health during winter weather:
- Monitor horses carefully for shivering when they are turned out in cold, windy and/or wet weather, whether blanketed or not.
- Maximize indoor ventilation by keeping doors and windows open or using ceiling fans and vents.
- If blanketing, choose blankets that are water repellent, moisture wicking, and well-fitting.
- Consider booster vaccinations for diseases such as influenza, rhinopneumonitis, and strangles.
- Assess body condition score regularly.
- Provide adequate calories. A horse's energy requirements may increase up to 25%.
- Give unlimited access to unfrozen water.
To Blanket or Not to Blanket During Cold Weather
It is not necessary to blanket a horse in winter as long as it has a naturally thick hair coat and is adapted to the cold.
There are a wide variety of blankets available, ranging from lightweight “sheets” that are best suited for short term use after riding, to thick, water proof “rugs” designed for long term use with horses turned out for extended periods of time.
It is important to select a blanket that is appropriate for the specific conditions the horse is facing. If the horse is outside in wet weather, it is important that the blanket be at least water repellent and lined with material that will wick moisture away from the horse’s skin.
A wet horse that has been blanketed will be colder than an unblanketed horse with a thick hair coat that can naturally dry out.
Blanketed horses should also be monitored daily by either removing the blanket or checking with a bare hand to see if the weight of the blanket is causing the horse to sweat. If a horse sweats under the blanket, especially if its coat is dirty, it can contribute to skin irritation and infections.