Winter is here! Are you Ready? Equine Guelph has the following winter horse care tips to help keep your horse sound while you are dashing through the snow:
Horses dashing through the snow
Winter is here! Are you Ready? Horse care tips for cold weather from Equine Guelph.
Colic alert - Horses need water 24/7. When moist grass is replaced by dry hay the need for water in digestion becomes even greater. Don't allow water sources to freeze. Use Equine Guelph's interactive Colic Risk Rater tool to assess your risk.
Safe passage - You put winter tires on your car but how will your horse fare in icy conditions? Keep pathways clear with a handy mix of wood chips, sand and rock salt.
Hair raising experiences - Beware the dangers of throwing a winter blanket on a sweaty horse. If your horse is not clipped, cooling out time will increase. Horses' lose the ability to insulate themselves against the cold when hair is wet and laying flat.
Winter weight - what is going on under that blanket? Check your horse is maintaining condition. Horses should still receive a daily once over in the winter including hoof picking, wound checks and weight loss or gain.
Fire safety - keep warm but not with household extension cords and heaters in your stable. For 38 more fire safety tips